Design of a real-time monitoring system and frequency agility electric field device to prevent CaCO3 scaling on heat exchange surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, experiments are used to investigate the CaCO3 scale inhibition performance on the heat transfer surface in various frequency ranges of the frequency agility electric field device. The device can produce a high-speed, erratic variant of the type frequency agility pulse signal in the range of 0–400 kHz, and obtain a peak voltage that is adjustable by a power amplifier circuit between 10 and 150 V per peak. Scale formation on the heat transfer surface is slowed down or avoided as a result of the collision of Ca2+ and CO32− in water caused by the electric field. The scale inhibition experiment monitoring and regulation system is designed to monitor and adjust temperature and flow parameters in real time, observe fouling resistance curve, and store all data instantly. According to the experimental findings, various frequency ranges of electric field treatment reduce scale's fouling resistance, with 79 % serving as the highest scale inhibition rate. The device has well scale inhibition performance, as evidenced by the findings of the comparison of surface scale and scanning electron microscopy.