Scale reduction and scale modification effects induced by zinc and other metal species in physical water treatment

Abstract

The effect of Zn and other metal ions, released by some physical water treatment devices, on the nucleation rate and crystal morphology of calcium carbonate was investigated. Zn in particular caused a substantial increase in induction time and induced the formation of calcium carbonate in the aragonite rather than the calcite form. These effects were quantified. 06 x 10-3 was required for Zn to cause measurable effects. At [Ca] > 300 mg·dm-3 addition of Zn of up to 100 μg·dm-3 had a negligible effect on nucleation rate and crystal morphology.

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