Assessing the efficacy of magnetic water treatment: A concise review and experimental investigation

Abstract

The utilization of magnetic water treatment has gained significant attention as a promising method for addressing scaling and water quality issues. This strategy has attracted interest due to its ability to potentially alter the behavior of dissolved particles in water. This investigation aimed to examine the impact of magnetic water treatment utilizing two different pipe materials, "iron pipe" and "PVC pipe", with a specific emphasis on the levels of total dissolved salts (TDS). Unexpectedly, the research findings indicate a positive correlation between the number of coil turns and the levels of TDS, which contradicts the popular belief that magnetic treatment would lead to a decrease in TDS. For instance, at a flow rate of 1 mL/s, TDS levels increase from an average of 265 ppm to roughly 277 ppm utilizing 500 and 2000 coil turns around an iron pipe, respectively. Similarly, when using a PVC pipe, TDS levels increase from around 263 ppm to 271 ppm as the magnetic field intensity increases. Furthermore, experiments carried out at an increased flow rate under a constant magnetic field strength show an inverse relationship with TDS. The TDS levels fall from 265 ppm to 261 ppm and from 263 ppm to 260 ppm as the flow rate rises from 1 mL/s to 6 mL/s for iron and PVC pipes, respectively. This intriguing phenomenon presents a challenge to long-held theories and highlights the complex relationship between magnetic fields, pipe materials, and water chemistry. Despite the unexpected results, the increase in the total dissolved salts indicates a possible improvement in reducing scaling, a common problem in fluid systems. In this discourse, this study analyzes the ramifications of these discoveries and underscores the necessity for additional investigation in order to elucidate the intricate mechanisms that underlie these interactions and enhance the efficacy of magnetic water treatment approaches. This research enhances the comprehension of water treatment strategies and emphasizes the significance of customizing procedures to suit individual scenarios in order to achieve efficient water quality control.