Magnetic water treatment

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  12. Water technology
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File:Magnetic Water Treatment.png
General Arrangement of MWT Apparatus

Magnetic water treatment (also known as anti-scale magnetic treatment or AMT) is a marketed, but scientifically refuted[1] pseudoscientific method of reducing the effects of hard water, as a non chemical alternative to water softening.[2][3][4] Vendors of magnetic water treatment devices have claimed that powerful magnetic fields can affect the structure of water molecules or the properties of solutes passing through the magnetic field, thus eliminating the need for chemical softening agents.[1][5] Only the effective hardness is claimed to be altered; no solutes (such as calcium or magnesium) are removed from the water by the process.[2][5]

Most scientific studies[6] do not support these claims and suggest that magnetic water treatment is ineffective.[1] Certainly many, perhaps most claims for small domestic apparatus may be pseudoscientific because the magnetic field, if it works at all, would have to be very powerful, and this high flux is not easily achieved in a small space.[citation needed]

Effectiveness

Scientific and engineering studies generally refute the effectiveness of the method, finding no differences not attributable to other causes between systems with and without a magnetic water treatment device, and no theoretical basis to expect that there might be.[1] Vendors frequently use pictures and testimonials to support their claims, but omit quantitative detail and well-controlled studies.[1] Advertisements and promotions generally omit such system variables as corrosion coupon results or system mass balance analyticals, as well as measurements of post-treatment water such as concentration of hardness ions or the distribution, structure, and morphology of suspended particles.[5][1][7][8][9]

Mechanism

Duration of exposure and field strength, gradient, rate of change, and orientation along or perpendicular to flow are variously cited as important to the results.[4] Magnetic water treatment proponent Klaus Kronenberg proposed that the shapes of solute lime molecules are modified by strong magnetic fields, leading them to precipitate as spherical or round crystals rather than deposit as sheets or platelets of hard crystals.[10] John Donaldson, professor of chemistry at Brunel University, proposed that the crucial step is the interruption of agglomeration of particles carrying a surface charge after dissolved contaminants have nucleated as a colloidal suspension.[11] Simon Parsons of the School of Water Sciences at Cranfield University proposed that the magnetic field reduces the surface charge on small particles, increasing the tendency to coagulate as large particles that stay with the flow rather than depositing as scale.[11] Some[who?] proponents propose that formation of the polymorph aragonite over the more common calcite is favored in the presence of a magnetic field.[citation needed] However, an internal study in 1996 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found no difference in preferred crystal structure of scale deposited in magnetic water treatment systems.[12]

Liu et al. and Coey and Cass published research in 2010 and 2000 demonstrating that magnetic treatment causes water containing minerals to favor formation of a more soluble form of calcium carbonate (aragonite rather than calcite), and the resulting removal of calcium carbonate deposits from a steel substrate.[citation needed][13] Furthermore, in their 2010 publication, Liu et al. conclude that "The magnetic treatment of scaling waters was proved to be efficient. The efficiency obtained with this very simple magnetic device can be very much improved if the geometry is better devised."[citation needed] Kozic and Lipus concluded in their 2003 paper that the effects of magnetic treatment on water indeed results in reduced formation of limescale and that this effect lasts approximately 200 hours.[14]

Theoretical explanation (citations needed)

Due to controversies surrounding the interactions between dissolved ions and magnetic fields, additional research needs to be performed to clarify areas of dispute. Especially when assumptions carry into modern methods of analysis, it is not uncommon for scientists to fail to recreate a phenomena that exists only when certain conditions are exact. The interactions between solutes in water and magnetic flux could possibly involve interactions between the flux and dipoles of the specific molecules, and changes in temperature and pressure could also change the resulting magnetic moments. Electrical flux and magnetic flux are inversely proportional; since pure water has low electrical conductivity but can still carry magnetic flux, it is possible that surface charges of the dissolved ions could be induced as a result of the electromagnetic induction discussed in Maxwell's twelve original equations. These explanations are only theoretical and need additional scholarly review before they should be accepted as significant.

Related devices

There are related non chemical devices based on a variety of physical phenomenon which have been marketed for over 50 years with similar claims of scale inhibition. Whilst some are effective, such as electrolytic devices [15][16][17][18] most do not work. :[1]

Other uses of magnetic devices:

  • Two studies have shown a statistically significant reduction in calculus formation on the teeth when exposed to magnetically treated water (as compared to normal water) with an oral irrigator.[20][21]
  • Magnetic fuel savers are similar magnetic devices marketed as saving fuel, but have no effect[22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Script error
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Hardness in Drinking Water". Environmental Fact Sheet. New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. October 2008. p. 2. http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/dwgb/documents/dwgb-3-6.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  3. ↑ Script error
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chaplin, M. (26 July 2011). "Descaling of Water". Water Structure and Science. London South Bank University. http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/descal.html#212. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Script error
  6. ↑ Script error
  7. ↑ Lower, S. "Magnetic water treatment and pseudoscience". Chem1Ware Systems Limited. Archived from the original on 2008-05-01. http://web.archive.org/web/20080501194133/http://www.chem1.com/CQ/magscams.html. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  8. ↑ Script error
  9. ↑ Smothers, KW; Curtiss, CD; Gard, BT; Strauss, RH; Hock, VF (15 June 2001). "Magnetic Water Treatment". Public Works Technical Bulletin 420-49-34. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/ARMYCOE/PWTB/pwtb_420_49_34.pdf.
  10. ↑ "Interview of Klaus Kronenberg, Ph. D". GMX International. http://www.gmxinternational.com/facts/interview/05.htm. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "A problem of scale. (water conditioning)". Entrepreneur.com. 1996-04-01. http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/18335181.html. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  12. ↑ Script error
  13. ↑ Script error
  14. ↑ Script error
  15. ↑ Coetzee PP, Yacoby M and Howall S (1996) The role of zinc in magnetic and other physical water treatment methods for the prevention of scale. Water SA, 22(4): 319-326.
  16. ↑ López-Sandoval E, Vázquez- López C, Zendejas- Leal BE, Ramos G, San Martín-Martínez E, Muñoz Aguirre N, Reguera E (2007) Calcium carbonate scale inhibition using the "allotropic cell" device. Desalination 217:85-92.
  17. ↑ Pernot B, Euvrard H, Remy F and Simon, P (1999) Influence of Zn(II) on the crystallisation of calcium carbonate application to scaling mechanisms. Journal of Water SRT-Aqua, 48(1): 16-23.
  18. ↑ MacAdam J PhD Thesis Cranfield University UK. Dept of Water Science and various studies
  19. ↑ Whitaker, S (5 August 2011). "Guardian launches electrolytic scale inhibitor". Industry Today. http://www.industrytoday.co.uk/hvac/guardian-launches-electrolytic-scale-inhibitor/6215. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  20. ↑ Script error
  21. ↑ Script error
  22. ↑ Allen, M (25 August 2010). "Looking For A Miracle: We Test Automotive 'Fuel Savers'". Popular Mechanics. http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/gas-mileage/1802932. Retrieved 2012-03-26.


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