Session: 11-19-01: Fluid Measurements and Instrumentation/Young Engineer Paper (YEP) Contest

Paper Number: 166296

The Effect of Hydroflow Devices on Calcium Carbonate Buildup in a Heated Water Flow Loop System 

Hard water is water with a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, which is usually found in groundwater sources. Hard water can cause calcium carbonate to buildup on plumping components, especially in heated water systems and is a common occurrence around the world. Also known as limescale, calcium carbonate buildup is formed when it precipitates, typically at elevated temperatures, and deposit on heaters, pipe walls, or other system elements. Calcium carbonate buildup can cause clogging, reduce water flow, and significantly reduce the efficiency of heat exchangers. This inefficiency can lead to higher energy consumption and costs. In addition, limescale acts as an insulating film over a heating element, significantly impacting its performance. This study investigated the impact of HydroFLOW devices on reducing the buildup of calcium carbonate. This is a chemical-free treatment of hard water. HydroFLOW is an electromagnetic device that generates an electric signal inside the piping of a water system. Electromagnetic treatments do not reduce the occurrence of calcium carbonate precipitation but, instead, affect the precipitate crystal structure which results in reduced limescale and/or buildup that is easier to remove (relative to harsh chemicals and/or mechanical removal). Two HydroFLOW devices were studied compared to a control that did not use electromagnetic treatment. A custom flow loop was created that circulated nine liters of hard water (prepared at 400 mg/L of calcium carbonate), a constant flow rate of 2.3 gallons per minute, and an electric water heater set at 120 °F. The properties of the water were tested before and after experimentation: alkalinity as calcium carbonate, pH, conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS). After testing, the heating element was removed and inspected. To quantify the force needed to remove limescale buildup from the heating element, a custom apparatus was created using 3D-printed parts and a mechanical stage. A weight rests on a cantilever-like arm and a razor is scraped across the surface of the heater; the amount of limescale removed was compared for each sample. Limescale from HydroFLOW treated heating elements was removed easier than control samples. Later, a section of the heating element was sacrificed and limescale was imaged via SEM. SEM images showed a distinct difference in crystalline structures of the HydroFLOW samples versus the control. Results demonstrate that electromagnetic treatment of hard water using HydroFLOW changes limescale crystalline structure and could be used as a non-chemical treatment to prevent issues that arise from calcium carbonate buildup.

Presenting Author: Holton Shults University of Louisville

Presenting Author Biography: Holton Shults is an undergraduate assistant researcher at the University of Louisville studying mechanical engineering. Previous research includes studying novel dielectrophoresis techniques in microfluidic applications under Dr. Stuart Williams.

Authors:

Holton Shults University of Louisville
Stuart Williams University of Louisville