Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant
Abstract The antiscale magnetic treatment (ASMT) claims to utilize magnetic field to combat scaling. However, its underlying mechanism, effectiveness, and reliability remain controversial. To address these contentious aspects, we analyze the influence of a magnetic field on the different stages of t...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82048-9 |
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| author | M. ElMassalami M. S. Teixeira A. Elzubair |
| author_facet | M. ElMassalami M. S. Teixeira A. Elzubair |
| author_sort | M. ElMassalami |
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| description | Abstract The antiscale magnetic treatment (ASMT) claims to utilize magnetic field to combat scaling. However, its underlying mechanism, effectiveness, and reliability remain controversial. To address these contentious aspects, we analyze the influence of a magnetic field on the different stages of typical scale formation, using $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ as a model scale. For simplification, we consider the working fluid, such as in domestic and industrial settings, as a homogeneous mixture of a supersaturated, multi-ionic solution and a suspension of neutral multiphase contaminants, a fraction of which is magnetic. We argue that the combined effects of pH variation and catalytic role of magnetic contaminants are crucial factors affecting the properties of the resultant scale. Based on these considerations, we clarify the controversy by showing that each side holds a valid piece of the overall picture of the ASMT process. Indeed, the two viewpoints on magnetic field’s influence on scaling can be explained along the following scenarios: (i) Within a non-contaminated, supersaturated solution, there is no significant field influence because, under typical laboratory conditions, the Lorentz force does not practically affect the scaling process. (ii) Within a high-pH, magnetically-contaminated, supersaturated solution, the field does have an influence: Here, gradient-force-driven agglomerated particulates can act as templates for heterogeneous nucleation and growth. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf5b38a3ca97486d8e7ae303c6b06986 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-bf5b38a3ca97486d8e7ae303c6b069862025-02-02T12:23:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115112010.1038/s41598-024-82048-9Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate ScalantM. ElMassalami0M. S. Teixeira1A. Elzubair2Physics Institute, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroPhysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroMilitary Institute of EngineeringAbstract The antiscale magnetic treatment (ASMT) claims to utilize magnetic field to combat scaling. However, its underlying mechanism, effectiveness, and reliability remain controversial. To address these contentious aspects, we analyze the influence of a magnetic field on the different stages of typical scale formation, using $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ as a model scale. For simplification, we consider the working fluid, such as in domestic and industrial settings, as a homogeneous mixture of a supersaturated, multi-ionic solution and a suspension of neutral multiphase contaminants, a fraction of which is magnetic. We argue that the combined effects of pH variation and catalytic role of magnetic contaminants are crucial factors affecting the properties of the resultant scale. Based on these considerations, we clarify the controversy by showing that each side holds a valid piece of the overall picture of the ASMT process. Indeed, the two viewpoints on magnetic field’s influence on scaling can be explained along the following scenarios: (i) Within a non-contaminated, supersaturated solution, there is no significant field influence because, under typical laboratory conditions, the Lorentz force does not practically affect the scaling process. (ii) Within a high-pH, magnetically-contaminated, supersaturated solution, the field does have an influence: Here, gradient-force-driven agglomerated particulates can act as templates for heterogeneous nucleation and growth.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82048-9Controversies in magnetic anti-scale treatmentMagnetic field effects on pH, microstructure, and conductivity of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$Magnetic field effects on polymorphism of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Influence of magnetic contamination on the stages of scale formation of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$Effect of pH on calcium carbonate ccale formation $$.$$ |
| spellingShingle | M. ElMassalami M. S. Teixeira A. Elzubair Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant Scientific Reports Controversies in magnetic anti-scale treatment Magnetic field effects on pH, microstructure, and conductivity of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Magnetic field effects on polymorphism of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Influence of magnetic contamination on the stages of scale formation of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Effect of pH on calcium carbonate ccale formation $$.$$ |
| title | Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant |
| title_full | Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant |
| title_short | Investigating the Antiscale Magnetic Treatment Controversy: Insights from the Model Calcium Carbonate Scalant |
| title_sort | investigating the antiscale magnetic treatment controversy insights from the model calcium carbonate scalant |
| topic | Controversies in magnetic anti-scale treatment Magnetic field effects on pH, microstructure, and conductivity of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Magnetic field effects on polymorphism of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Influence of magnetic contamination on the stages of scale formation of $${\text{CaCO}}_{3}$$ Effect of pH on calcium carbonate ccale formation $$.$$ |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82048-9 |
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