This invention relates to an improved method of inhibiting corrosion and calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate scaling in thermal and membrane desalination processes. The method includes adding a composition having an acrylic acid 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropyl sulfonic acid copolymer, combined with a synergistically effective amount of oligomeric phosphinosuccinic acid to seawater or recirculation brine in a desalting process to produce water for drinking and industrial applications. The method also includes adding a composition including mono, bis, and oligomeric phosphinosuccinic acid adducts to the desalting process.