Water Conditioner 101

 A water conditioner is an equipment that reduces the effects of hard water in terms of the build-up that is left on the surfaces the water comes into contact with. Hard water can clog up pipes and force your equipment to work much harder than it needs to. Electronic water conditioners use a magnetic field to induce energy to the minerals which pass through it. As the water flows, these minerals take on a different crystalline structure form when precipitated. It develops an increased solubility factor which helps it absorb more of whatever the water may be mixed with downstream. 

 Calcium carbonate (the major component of the build-up) exists in two crystal forms: aragonite and calcite. Aragonite has an elongated structure, Brinell hardness of 3.5 – 4, and density of 2.95. Calcite has a rhombohedral structure, Brinell hardness of 3, and density of 2.71. Where the opportunity occurs, ions, atoms, or molecules arrange themselves in positions of least energy and more symmetrical and regular crystal forms.

The magnetic field affects the intermolecular forces and, as a result, changes the crystalline structure of the build up from calcite to aragonite, as discussed above. This effect makes water more capable of dissolving the existing scale build-up encrustations which, in the form of “lime sludge,” can be easily rinsed away.

Aragonite transforms calcium ions into calcium crystals, which are stable and cannot attach to pipes, surfaces, hardware, or heat exchangers components. They are easily rinsed away by the water flow because the crystals are so small. Aragonite is a finer particle which is non-adherent to the inner walls of plumbing and fixtures. These particles form a talc-like powder which is soluble, allowing the nutrients to remain in your water in a bio-absorptive form.

These water de-scalers aid the industry in its pursuit for higher efficiency, and more ecologically acceptable water softening equipment. It is important to also note of the elements of the system and ensure adequate magnetic strength to achieve optimal results. For example, a pipe made of PVC will require less strength than one made out of cast iron.

•  2018- Scaling in water supply networks can cause various problems. They are mainly due to the deposit of CaCO3 which can lead to damages of the water piping. For example, boiling processes in factories do not work well when they are fouled with these deposits. According to the team’s hypothesis, the nonreactive aragonite crystals will not attach on the vessel during the boiling procedure. ....Alnashwan, A, et al. “Increased Calcite Nucleation (ICN) to Prevent Scaling in Boilers Researching an Alternative to Water Softeners.” Northern Arizona University
• 2017- “The aragonite crystals can’t form scale because of its stable molecular structure and neutral surface electro potentiality.” Studies in China, US, Europe, India and Korea“Technologies for the Removal of Water Hardness and Scaling Prevention.” Journal of Energy Engineering, vol. 26,
• 2010: “Show the effects of different surfaces and their capabilities under MWT. Conditions need to be correct for effective treatment”.“Surface Modification and Planar Defects of Calcium Carbonates by Magnetic Water Treatment”. Nanoscale Research Letters.
• 2009: “Shows the effectiveness of descaling under Aragonite crystalline structure and its positive results in pipe flow”.Effect of magnetic water treatment on calcium carbonate precipitation: Influence of the pipe material”. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification. 48 (8): 1327"