How Does a Magnetic Water Softener Work?

The science behind magnetic water treatment offers a fascinating glimpse into how water softening can be achieved without the addition of chemicals. Central to this method is the impact of magnetic fields on the atoms that make up every substance, including water and its dissolved minerals.

How the Magnetic Field Works

When tap water passes through a strong magnetic field, approximately 75% of the calcium minerals that form hard water undergo a change. This change makes them less able to bond. The result? The hard water becomes softer. Without exposure to a strong magnetic field, the calcium particles in the water form calcite: small, sharp particles that adhere strongly to surfaces and are difficult to remove.

The Role of Aragonite

After treatment with a magnetic field, such as that of the McFLOW and other magnets, calcium converts into aragonite. These particles clump together in larger groups and adhere less strongly to surfaces, making limescale easier to remove.

Scientific Studies and Results

A key study by J.M.D. Coey and Stephen Cass, published in the Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, laid the foundation for understanding magnetic water treatment. Their study demonstrated that water, after being exposed to a magnetic field of 1,000 Gauss, produces two types of calcium deposits: calcite and aragonite. Aragonite, which forms in longer structures, has a reduced tendency to adhere to surfaces compared to calcite.

Duration of the Magnetic Effect

The magnetism's peak effectiveness lasts for approximately 40 hours , with a diminishing effect over the next 160 hours. This emphasizes the importance of the magnetic water softener's location; placing it close to the water outlet ensures that the water is treated when its effect is strongest.

Sustainable and affordable anti-limescale system

Magnetic water treatment represents a significant advance in water softening technology, although the water softener industry seems to be largely unaware of it. By altering the structure of calcium deposits, this approach allows for a 75% reduction in limescale buildup in an environmentally friendly and efficient way . This makes magnetic water treatment a valuable and sustainable choice for households and businesses seeking a limescale solution that is both effective and environmentally friendly.

Tros Radar broadcast

In its Monday, March 4, 2024, broadcast, Tros Radar featured, not for the first time, a segment on magnetic water softeners . The broadcast was very negative about magnetic water softeners, with an expert who was ill-informed appearing on the show. He stated that the water softener doesn't work as a water softener.

However..

To our surprise, Tros Radar added some nuance by publishing this article on their website the next day. It shifted the tone completely from the magnetic water softeners in the broadcast, and what was said about them.

In fact, a scientist is quoted from another TV program, BNNA VARA Kassa , on the Tros Radar website:

"Roberta Hofman, senior researcher in Water Treatment at the KWR water research institute, explains that water softeners prevent the precipitation of calcium and magnesium from drinking water.

Incidentally, the presence of these minerals in our water isn't a problem. It only becomes a problem when calcium precipitates into calcium carbonate, as this causes limescale deposits, which can eventually damage appliances.

Finally, water softeners using magnets are also very popular. While these don't remove calcium from the water, they create a different type of calcium carbonate precipitate, which reduces limescale buildup. Exactly how this works isn't yet clear. It works in some cases and not in others, so this still needs to be investigated. Whether this softener actually works effectively can't be stated in general terms yet.

What happened here?

Jan Peter van der Hoek, Professor of Drinking Water at Delft University of Technology, appeared on the show. He's clearly not well-versed in magnetic water softeners, their operation, or recent research, unlike Roberta Hofman, senior researcher in Water Treatment , who confirms the usefulness and promise of magnets as an anti-scale system.

It's a shame that the claims about the Amfa4000, recommended as an anti-scale system, weren't mentioned in the broadcast. That's obviously not journalistically correct.