"Magic" water descalers?
"Magic" water descalers?
(OP)
I have read about some devices (electrical or magnetical) that fit outside water pipes and help to prevent scale gathering on the surface of the pipework. May this be the solution for the water used in steamboilers and exhausting condensers, instead of consuming large amounts of salt for descaling water in classic resin descalers? These devices are pretty expensive considering the technology they deploy but are cheaper than salt and energy loss due to scale coating in pipework.
Is it true that these devices really work?
Is it true that these devices really work?





RE: "Magic" water descalers?
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
Dont trust them. It will be big disappointment.
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
Suggest that you read a copy of "De Magnete" by Gilbert before you use magnets to purify water. TDK has the best advice on the matter.
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
The primary scientific claim is that scaling due to calcium carbonate may be deterred by some energy input which favors one crystalline form over another (aragonite vs. calcite). The calcite scales out on the interior walls of the pipe, while the aragonite stays suspended in solution, and can be removed during boiler blowdown, etc. There is ~negligible difference between the free energies of formation of the the crystal types, so some energy input at the right frequency may make the difference. Whether this would be energy-efficient and whether an external device would work on a metal pipe remain to be determined.
One review is at http://www.sbu.ac.uk/water/descal.html
A review by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
is at http://www.csicop.org/si/9801/powell.html
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
saxon;)
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
Next month we are going to begin an evaluation of these installations that will include corrosion coupons (ASTM D2688-94), independent lab HPC bacteria tests, data logging of system parameters and other tests. It should be interesting to see the results. Full corrosion results will take a year to confirm.
There is a lot of snake oil out there regarding non- chemical treatment. The chemical companies have a vested interest to ensure all the "non-chemical" treatments are considered snake oil. However, some units do work and should be considered by informed purchasers. What is needed is an independent commercial validation similar to the Cooling Tower Institute's efficiency ratings of cooling towers.
Dean
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
http://www.smud.org/education/cat/cat_pdf/PulsePower.pd...
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
There are a number of reports which have investigated the theory behind magnetism and its decontamination properties. There is no real concrete evidence to prove that it actually works. Many of the companies that sell these products are independent. I have'nt heard of a global market leader in this type of industry yet.
The hardness is supposed to be reduced by the magnetic fields, but the calcium and magnesium will still be present in the water, with the same dissolved mineral concentration.
For further information:
http://www.csicop.org/si/9801/powell.html
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
I am very involved in small boilers. I seen a couple of this things some 25 years ago. I inmediately made up my mind about them. it was an imposibly, by logic that the little pipe would take away scale from water. I know some companies have lost tons of money for trusting the seller. Believe me this pipe things are advertised heavily, some of them even have patents. I confronted a mfr.(nuhaus corp) at a trade show a few years back and he was steaming after I told him that his discaling pipe stinked.
The patent claim is that the electric side of it breaks apart the calsium and other sediments in the water.
that's it. The patent, The lab work may be true but in minimal quantities say 1% and what do you do with the other 99% of harness.
please use a reliable water conditioner and do test your water daily for zero hardness.
ER
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
I fully agree with all of the above - snakeoil.
RE: "Magic" water descalers?
RE: "Magic" water descalers?