MAGNETIC TREATMENT OF CALCIUM-CARBONATE SCALE - EFFECT OF PH CONTROL

Results from a preliminary study into the effects of magnetic treatmen t on calcium carbonate formation are presented. A test rig was constru cted to investigate the effect of orthogonally applied magnetic fields on solutions of calcium carbonate, with specific reference to changes in scale deposits formed. Results are compared with those of a refere nce system identical in every way other than the application of the ma gnetic field. The results from this study indicated that magnetic trea tment significantly influenced the deposition of calcium carbonate sca le, under the controlled physicochemical conditions employed. A scale reduction of 48% was recorded when the system was uncontrolled compare d with negligible change when the system pH was controlled. In the unc ontrolled system pH was shown to drop initially during magnetic treatm ent compared to that of the reference system. A pH regulated at 8 and 8.5 led to increased scaling and reaction rate but any effect magnetic treatment had on scale formation was apparently destroyed. It was con cluded that pH plays an important role in the mechanism by which magne tic fields affect scaling in flowing systems. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsev ier Science Ltd.