Using Iron to Inhibit Scale Formation

方解石（CaCO3）是锅炉和换热器中最常见的水垢之一。最近的研究表明，微量浓度的二价铁（Fe2+）非常强烈地抑制了CaC03的生长，这表明适当形式和足够浓度的铁可以显著降低这种垢沉积的数量和强度。本文拟研究铁和其他金属阳离子如何影响各种结垢碳酸盐矿物的成核和生长，以及不同的溶液参数如何增强或抑制结晶。将开发一个模型来预测碳酸盐晶体生长抑制，并将研究电解和磁性方法将金属阳离子引入溶液中。冷却水管道和锅炉内水垢沉积物的积累是一个价值数百万美元的问题。水垢显著降低传热效率，并可能导致水流通道堵塞。了解金属离子抑制晶体成核和生长的机制可以导致维持热交换设备峰值性能的成本有效手段。

Calcite (CaCO3) is one of the most prevalent of boiler and heat exchanger scale. Recent work has shown that trace concentrations of divalent iron (Fe2+) very strongly inhibit the growth of CaC03, suggesting that iron of the appropriate form and in sufficient concentration can lead to a significant reduction in the amount and tenacity of such scale deposits. It is proposed to examine how iron and other metal cations affect the nucleation and growth of a variety of scale-forming carbonate minerals, and how various solution parameters enhance or suppress crystallization. A model will be developed to predict carbonate crystal growth inhibition, and electrolytic and magnetic means of introducing the metal cations into solution will be examined. The build up of scale deposits inside cooling water pipes and boilers is a multimillion dollar problem. Scale significantly reduces heat transfer efficiency and can lead to blockage of water flow passages. Understanding the mechanisms by which metal ions inhibit crystal nucleation and growth can lead to cost effective means of maintaining peak performance of heat exchange equipment.