Research on performance optimization and mechanism of electrochemical water softening applied by pulse power supply

Abstract

In order to promote the application of electrochemical water softening technology in industrial circulating cooling water systems, electric field type, cathode structure and solution residence time are selected for optimization analysis of electrochemical water softening device. The experimental results show that the water softening performance per unit area of mesh cathode is better than that of plate cathode. In addition, the softening amount per unit area of the mesh cathode can be further increased when the high-frequency (HF) power supply is applied. When the HF power supply is applied, the softening amount per unit area is 158.58 g/m2·h−1 more than that the direct current power supply is applied. In order to explore the growth mechanism of calcium carbonate, micro-analysis technology and high-speed bubble photography technology are used. The results show that the bubbles escape along the longitudinal direction of the electrode plate, and the main growth direction of calcium carbonate growth is consistent with the escape direction of the bubble, that is, the bubbles grow along the longitudinal direction of the electrode plate. The special structure of the diamond-shaped mesh cathode facilitates the growth of calcium carbonate crystals.

Research Progress on Novel Electrochemical Descaling Technology for Enhanced Hardness Ion Removal

“…The required pH for efficient precipitation of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ is above 9 and 10, respectively [49]. Therefore, the generation of OH − and the subsequent precipitation reactions are central to electrochemical descaling [50].…”

“…Mirror-finish stainless steel cathodes exhibit the highest descaling performance, followed by regular stainless steel, nickel plates, brushed stainless steel, and titanium plates [77]. Additionally, due to their larger specific surface area and rougher texture, mesh cathodes have a higher rate of hardness deposition than flat cathodes [50]. Many researchers are focusing on increasing the effective cathode area.…”

Design Strategy of Corrosion-Resistant Electrodes for Seawater Electrolysis

“…In the process of electrocatalysis, the surface is acidic at the anode side and alkaline at the cathode. When pH > 9, precipitates will be formed on the cathode side to block the active site of the cathode and reduce catalytic activity [ 58 , 62 , 63 , 64 ].…”

Influence of Different Ions on Pulse Electrodeposition of CaCO3 Scales in the Simulated Seawater

“…16 Pulse electrodeposition has been proven to be a method to achieve high-efficiency water softening. 17 In our previous work, the pulse current (PC) is used for depositing CaCO 3 scales. 18 First, the ripening process had been found to play a decision role in accelerating electrodeposition by PC.…”

“…Moreover, electrochemical methods are generally nondestructive evaluation methods, which have high sensitivity and high resolution and can detect small changes, which is very helpful for studying the microscopic mechanism and provides more comprehensive information on the kinetic process of scale deposition in different environments . Pulse electrodeposition has been proven to be a method to achieve high-efficiency water softening . In our previous work, the pulse current (PC) is used for depositing CaCO 3 scales .…”