Application of microbubble treatment to decrease water hardness

Abstract

The urgency of the discussed issue is caused by the need to intensify the current methods for water softening. The main aim of the study: to increase the efficiency of water hardness salts removal using microbubble treatment. The methods used in the study: titrimetry and conductometry. The results: The authors have studied the possibility of applying microbubble treatment to reduce water hardness. The paper describes microbubble formation and calcium carbonate crystallization in water solutions processed in hydrodynamic generator. Changes of сalcium ions concentration, pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids of model solutions and tap water after microbubble treatment as a result of CO2 removal from solutions and formation of calcium carbonate are shown. Dependence of physicоchemical parameters change of water solutions on excess pressure value is shown. The generated microbubbles appear as the germ-formation centers of a calcium carbonate. Formation of calcium carbonate particles on a microbubbles surface excludes the insoluble deposit incrustation on equipment sides. Microbubble treatment was proposed to be used as the first stage of water softening.

Keywords

• hydrodynamic generator
• microbubble treatment
• calcium hydrocarbonate
• water hardness
• calcium carbonate