Method of reducing scale in the bayer process

A method for reducing aluminosilicate containing scale in a Bayer process, comprising:

• identifying a Bayer process equipment surface that is subject to scale formation during the Bayer process;
• contacting the identified Bayer process equipment surface with an amount of a scale inhibiting composition effective to form a treated surface that is more resistant to scale formation upon subsequent contact with a Bayer process stream than an otherwise comparable untreated surface;
• wherein the scale inhibiting composition comprises a liquor comprising an aqueous solution of one or more water-soluble salts having at least about 0.004 wt/wt % or more of total dissolved salts or a liquor having a pH of about 11.0 or greater, the scale inhibiting composition further comprising a silicon-containing compound having one or more—Si(OR)n groups;
• wherein:
• n is an integer from 1 to 3;
• and
• R is H, optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl, optionally substituted C6-C12 aryl, optionally substituted C7-C20 aralkyl, optionally substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, Group I metal ion, Group II metal ion, or NR14;
• where each R1 is independently chosen from H, optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl, optionally substituted C6-C12 aryl, optionally substituted C7-C20 aralkyl, and optionally substituted C2-C20 alkenyl;
• and
• contacting the treated surface with the Bayer process stream.