Magnetic water treatment for scale prevention

A home-made magnetic device was built with permanent magnets for treating scaling waters. Its efficiency was evaluated by measuring the remaining ionic calcium at the output of the device by means of an ion selective electrode. The scaling power of the treated water was estimated through an electrochemical scaling test. Chroamperometric curves and chronoelectrogravimetric curves were plotted to obtain the scaling time and the nucleation time of the scale deposition. The variation of the efficiency of the magnetic treatment was studied when the length of treatment, the flow velocity of the scaling water in the device, the material of the pipe where the scaling water flowed were changed. An empirical relationship, which gives the value of the efficiency in function of the length of treatment and the flow velocity, was proposed. Possible mechanisms of action of the magnetic treatment were discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.