Microbial counts improve but corrosion continues
Review microbial, corrosion, deposit and sulfide information together.
Two phosphonium cations balance one sulfate anion.
Open technical diagram · PubChem CID 41478
Non-oxidizing biocides / Chemical
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium Sulfate
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate · THPS
For oil and gas water-treatment biocide formulations with defined uses. Actual salinity, temperature, sulfides and SRB/APB test conditions must form part of the selection basis; a product name alone cannot guarantee field performance.
Product uses
A candidate ingredient for microbial control in oil and gas production and oilfield water.
Bring an existing model or purchasing specification directly into the discussion.
Purchasing informationView parameter guidance ↓
- Chemical identity / CAS
- 55566-30-8Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate active ingredient ↗
- Physical form / Type
- Aqueous commercial solutions exist; verify color and complete solution composition against supply documents.
- Key purchasing comparisons
- Active ingredient and impuritiesSalinity, temperature and sulfidesTarget organisms and test methodsCompatibility with polymers, corrosion inhibitors and demulsifiers
- Packaging and delivery
- Confirm drum or other containerized delivery options, closed-unloading connections and low-temperature transport conditions; packaging and labels must explicitly identify the sulfate.
Identity and physical form identify the product; specific concentration, grade, packaging and uses are governed by mutually confirmed formulated-product documents.
01 / Product and applications
Uses and product form
Chemical identity / Technical type
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate, a quaternary phosphonium salt; chemically and compositionally distinct from TTPC.
Appearance and delivery form
Color, concentration and stability of the delivered solution must match its TDS; this page promises no fixed specification.
Identity note
THPS is tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate, also described as bis[tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium] sulfate. This CAS identifies the sulfate and excludes other chemical products precondensed with urea; verify supplied solutions as mixtures.
02 / Specification selection
Key purchasing parameters
| Items to confirm | Relevance to purchasing and use |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient and impurities | Define the purchasing and trial product consistently. |
| Salinity, temperature and sulfides | Reflect actual oilfield conditions. |
| Target organisms and test methods | Distinguish targets such as SRB/APB and their test results. |
| Compatibility with polymers, corrosion inhibitors and demulsifiers | Protect downstream process performance. |
Include parameters, test methods and acceptance checkpoints in purchasing requirements to compare specifications.
03 / Applications and limits
Applications and conditions of use
These are starting points for conditional verification. Specific product suitability still requires joint confirmation through product documents, operating conditions and destination requirements.
Additional checks before use
- No efficacy assurance for all high-temperature/high-salinity conditions.
- THPS and TTPC cannot be substituted under the generic quaternary phosphonium name.
- Not extended to drinking-water, food or live-aquaculture products.
04 / Common challenges
Common issues and responses
Ambient-temperature freshwater tests do not represent field conditions
Validate using actual water and target temperature conditions.
Fluid performance changes after dosing
Check viscosity, phase behavior and compatibility with relevant additives together.
05 / Documents and evidence
Documents and downloads
TDS / SDS / COARequest by specific model, use and batchProduct purchasing checklistDownload directly and add existing specifications and operating conditions
View public technical references
These documents support technical categories and use limits, not ENVO certifications or customer cases. Verification date: 2026-10-26.
06 / Frequently asked questions
Purchasing FAQs
Are THPS and TTPC the same?
No. Verify chemical identity, formulation and conditions of use separately.
Can SRB testing alone determine treatment?
Consider sampling methods, operating conditions, corrosion and field efficacy validation together.
Can a universal applicable temperature be given?
Use specific product and actual-water data; the generic name cannot establish a guaranteed value.
Related selection options
Compare related products further.
Related products are not necessarily direct substitutes; verify each intended use.
Salt structureNon-oxidizing biocides · Chemical
Tributyltetradecylphosphonium chloride
TTPC
A quaternary phosphonium candidate for industrial and oil and gas water. Compatibility of the cationic ingredient with actual fluids is a purchasing priority; it cannot directly replace THPS simply because both are quaternary phosphonium salts.
Active componentNon-oxidizing biocides · Chemical
Glutaraldehyde
GDA
A candidate non-oxidizing ingredient for industrial recirculating water, papermaking and oilfield water. Purchasing should be supported by validation under actual fluid and contact conditions; industrial grades and formulated products dedicated to medical equipment must be considered separately.
Example activeSpecialized formulations · Specialized formulation
Biocide formulations for oilfield water
Oilfield formulations
Select for a specific treatment stage: produced water, reinjection, fracturing or surface water storage. Efficacy, corrosion and fluid compatibility require validation under the same actual operating conditions; one test cannot represent an entire oilfield.
Related technical articles
Testing and assessment
Black deposits decrease after THPS: does this prove sulfate-reducing bacteria are controlled?
Deposit changes and microbial control are different findings. Evaluate oilfield THPS programs by separating sulfide, deposit, microbial and corrosion evidence before analyzing their relationships.
Read and verify →
Trials and selection
THPS for high-salinity oilfield water: why are clean-water trials insufficient for final selection?
Salinity, oil, solids and other chemicals together form the oilfield use environment. Evaluate THPS in representative actual water samples rather than finalizing selection on clean-water results alone.
Read and verify →
Identity and specifications
THPS and TTPC both contain phosphorus: why should oilfield purchasing specify more than quaternary phosphonium salts?
THPS and TTPC differ in chemical identity and product approaches. Broad category names increase wrong-product and misuse risks; identify products by complete names, models and documents.
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium SulfateOil & Gas Production Water SystemsProducts and specifications
Read and verify →ENVO · Purchasing and application support
Discuss your specific THPS requirements.
Start with a product name, current model, water-quality report or destination documentation requirements.