Effect of fouling resistance in heat exchanger and the crystal form of CaCO3 in hard circulating cooling water with electrostatic field and alternating current electric field

The effect of high voltage electrostatic field and high voltage alternating current electric field on the heat exchanger surface fouling under the condition of hard water was investigated. The Ca2+ concentration in two water conditions was 12 mmol/L. The Mg2+ concentration was 10 mmol/L and 12 mmol/L respectively. The concentration changed with the Mg2+ concentration. X-ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscope results confirmed that the main crystal phases of the scale samples consist of calcite and aragonite. The high voltage electrostatic treatment can promote scale growth under both water quality conditions. However, the high voltage alternating current electric field treatment shows a good scale inhibition effect under both water quality conditions, and the scale inhibition effect is best when both Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations are 12 mmol/L, and the average scale inhibition rate reaches 47.58%. When the calcite content of the scale sample is significantly higher than that of aragonite, Mg2+ affects the growth and solubility of crystals. On the other hand, the high voltage alternating current electric field treatment can effectively extend the fouling induction period of the adherent scale on the heat exchanger surface, which is favorable for heat exchanger fouling.

Automated summary

The study found that high voltage electrostatic treatment can promote scale growth, while high voltage alternating current electric field treatment shows a good scale inhibition effect, especially when both Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations are 12 mmol/L.