Research progress of scale inhibition by magnetic field, ultrasonic field and high voltage electrostatic field

Improving the heat transfer efficiency of heat exchange equipment in the industrial production processes holds paramount significance for energy conservation and emission reduction. Scale inhibition is an effective approach to enhance heat transfer efficiency and is crucial means for the energy and power engineering sector to achieve “Dual Carbon” goals. Physical fields such as magnetic field, ultrasonic field, and high voltage electrostatic field scale inhibition technology have the advantages of simple operation, sterilization, algaecide, continuous treatment, and no chemical waste liquid. Firstly, the current research status of scale inhibition using constant magnetic fields and high-frequency electromagnetic water treatment technologies was introduced, and the optimal scale inhibition frequencies/bands of the magnetic field under different working conditions were discussed in detail. Secondly, the latest research results on scale inhibition using ultrasonic fields and high voltage electrostatic fields were introduced. The cavitation effect of the ultrasonic field and its pre-treatment effect could be used to filter and remove dirt in advance. After treatment with a high voltage electrostatic field, the scale layer became loose, and the morphology and characteristics were changed. Finally, the shortcomings of physical field scale inhibition technologies such as magnetic field, ultrasonic field and high voltage electrostatic field were proposed, and prospects for future research on the synergistic effects and molecular dynamics simulation of physical field scale inhibition were outlined.