Magnetic Water and Treatment: Myth or Magic?

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It is important that everyone know of the need to improve our energy and water savings and assist in reducing the use of electricity, water, and non-renewable fuel sources. There are a number of non-chemical, non-mechanical water treatment technologies. Many of these are known by names such as electronic, magnetic, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and AC induction. The history of these devices goes back to at least 1952. Claims for and against the effectiveness of such systems have a long history. One would think that if these types of systems were truly effective, then the knowledge of their successful deployment would be common place in the industry. In September 2001 the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) published TR-01-63, Demonstration and Evaluation of Magnetic Descalers. The COE tested three types of scale prevention devices, two magnetic and one electronic. Stated results were that the quantity and type of scale on tubes protected by the prevention devices was not substantially different from the quantity and type of scale on the unprotected, untreated control tubes. In July 2009 the COE published TR-09-20, Demonstration of Capacitor-Based Water Treatment System for Application at Military Installations. The system tested is named Zeta Rod. Stated results were that the capacitor-based treatment was just as effective as the chemical based treatment for controlling scale, biological fouling, and corrosion. Of note is the fact that no unprotected, untreated control tubes were included in the demonstration. Of course, if the effects provided by Zeta Rod use are achievable as claimed, then the benefits would be advantageous and significant. It is important to understand the scientific principles that form t... ... middle of paper ... ...rps of Engineers, ERDC/CERL TR-01-63, September 2001. 3. Non-chemical Water Treatment Systems: Histories, Principles and Literature Review, Loraine A Hucler, P.E., MarTech Systems, Inc., Lawrenceville, NJ, October 2002. 4. New Mexicans for Science and Reason present NMSR Teams with KRQE-TV13 on “Magnetic Water Conditioners”. 5. Magnetic Water Treatment and Pseudoscience, Stephen Lower, Retired, Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby/Vancouver, Canada. 6. Magnetic Water and Fuel Treatment: Myth, Magic, or Mainstream Science? Mike R. Powell, The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Volume 22.1, January/February 1998. 7. Internet Links to Patented Electronic Hard Water Conditioner Systems, http://electronicdescalerlinks.com/. 8. Do Magnetic and Electromagnetic Water Conditioners Work?, Larry Henke, Water Conditioning and Purification, July 1998.

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