Numerical modeling of electromagnetic field spatiotemporal evolution to evaluate the effects on calcium carbonate crystallization

• Published in: Desalination Vol. 592; no. C; p. 118128
• Main Authors: Du, Xuewei, Jiang, Wenbin, Wang, Yanxing, Shu, Fangjun, Wang, Huiyao, Vazquez, David, Yuan, Ke, Anovitz, Lawrence M., Ishai, Paul Ben, Xu, Pei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 21.12.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Calcium carbonate; COMSOL simulation; Crystallization; Electromagnetic field (EMF); EMF characterization; Lorentz force; Electromagnetic field (EMF); EMF characterization; Lorentz force; COMSOL simulation; Calcium carbonate; Crystallization
• ISSN: 0011-9164
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2024.118128

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) scaling is a significant impediment to water systems. Electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment is a promising approach to control scaling owing to its simplicity and low or no energy requirements. However, the underlying mechanisms by which EMF impacts CaCO3 crystallization remain unclear due to the challenges in measuring the EMFs in feed solutions and the lack of a fundamental understanding of the applied EMFs and the observed physicochemical phenomena. To fill this knowledge gap, a high-fidelity COMSOL model was first developed to simulate EMFs in bulk solutions for three alternating current-induced EMF devices with different configurations and properties. These were then integrated with experimental data to unveil the underlying mechanism by which applied EMFs alter the physicochemical processes. The study revealed that even low-strength EMFs (e.g., electric fields <0.15 V/m and magnetic fields <0.03 mT) promoted CaCO3 precipitation in bulk solutions. The electric fields created by these EMF devices resulted in higher Lorentz force compared to their induced magnetic fields. The methodology of this study offers the capability to predict the effectiveness of different EMF devices in facilitating crystallization processes, and these mechanistic insights lay the foundation for the smart design of EMF devices for diverse water treatment applications. [Display omitted] •Studied effects of EMF on CaCO3 crystallization using three AC-induced EMF devices•Developed COMSOL models to simulate electric and magnetic fields in bulk solutions•CaCO3 crystallization and precipitation were promoted under low-strength EMFs.•Antenna direct EMF boosted CaCO3 crystallization more than indirect EMF inductors.•AC-induced EMFs mainly induce Lorentz force by an electric field to grow CaCO3 crystals.