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 an electrochemical water softening device. The experimental results show that the water softening performance per unit area of mesh cathode is better than that of a 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 when 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. HIGHLIGHTS The high-frequency power supply can further increase the descaling amount per unit area of the mesh cathode.; The special structure of the diamond-shaped mesh cathode facilitates the growth of calcium carbonate crystals.; The maximum desalination rate of this experimental device is 604.5 g/m2 h−1.;

Keywords

• bubble movement
• electrochemical water softening
• mesh cathode
• micro analysis technology
• pulse power