Magnetic water softener

[Stealth]

I am in the process of putting together a water softener system using magnets. I read where Barium ferrite was best for this purpose, but also is highly toxic in nature. Could other magnets work just as well, or should I go ahead and use Barium ferrrite magnets for this project?

[lighty]

Why would a magnet be toxic if it's not in the direct contact with water? Use plastic or brass for your setup and put magnets around them.

[amigo]

Could you please give us more information about your setup? When you say "water softener" what does that refer to?

[lighty]

He most probably wants to reduce calcium-carbonate deposits in his water pipes. At least that's what water softening usually means.

[Stealth]

Yes, lighty is correct. It involves using magnets with North opposed toward pipes. This reduces cacium deposits and also makes the water softer to allow less use of detergents and soap for cleaning purposes. It also reduces chlorine and other bad taste from the water.

[wpage]

Design

Steath,
Sounds interesting. Can you post a diagram

[Stealth]

Just found this site where you can also buy one. Applied Magnets : Magnetic Water Treatment - discount wholesale prices. They also have wind generator kits you can build yourself. Stealth

[amigo]

I always wanted to try that as water here is terrible on the skin (very hard).

I even bought a chlorine filter on eBay for the shower head, but perhaps placing couple of magnets on the pipe couldn't hurt either.

So, do we use the strongest Neodymium magnets or would other kinds do as well?

[Stealth]

The magnetic water softeners on the Allied magnetic website uses stronger N42 rare earth magnets for theirs. From what I read Barium ferrite is best, but maybe it don't matter as long as north is facing the pipe and each other. Good Luck. Stealth

[amigo]

Hmm...

Why would BaFe be better than Neodymium ones though, if all it's required is a magnetic field?

I would think that Neodymium magnets being stronger than BaFe would be better even?

Is there something else that would affect the Water beside the magnetic field, though magnet is not really in contact with the Water so its composition can't really matter?

[lighty]

Water softening is all nice and well, but not all water solutions are reacting the same way so for a certain composition of soluble stuff in water it will work great for other one it won't do almost anything.

[Andy44]

Magnet water softener

I am in the process of putting together a water softener system using magnets. I read where Barium ferrite was best for this purpose, but also is highly toxic in nature. Could other magnets work just as well, or should I go ahead and use Barium ferrrite magnets for this project?

I understand how a water softener works. The hardness is removed from the water when it passes through a mineral bed inside the softener unit, then after so long a period it needs to be back washed with a salt solution (brine) to re-new the mineral. But what I don't understand is with the magnets, where does the hardness (calcium carbinate) go except through the water pipes? Does the hardness in the water get vaporized or broken down so small you don't know it's their. Or does it collect around the magnets and eventially plug up the water pipes. It seems like it has to go somewhere. I'm just trying to understand the theory behind the magnet water softener.

Andy44

[lighty]

It seems that molecules of calcium-carbonate are re-polarized in such way as to not allow clumping into bigger groups. So molecules of calcium-carbonate are still in the water but they're much less likely to produce significant deposits in water tubes.

[Stealth]

Yes. It works the same way on a water pipe as it would on a gasoline line going to your car engine. It breaks down all particles into smaller particles so that they are less likely to cause any clumping together. On a water pipe, it would make a difference what type of pipe material you are using(plastic, copper, iron, etc.), as to how effective this magnetic water softener would work. Plastic should not hinder the system at all. As soon as I get mine installed, I will let you know how well it works, and what magnets I used to achieve success. I may have to experiment some to find the correct length,width,and thickness that works best. Good Luck
Stealth

[amigo]

See, I still don't get it...

Calcium-Carbonate sedimentation in pipes is really irrelevant to me. The point of softening the water in general is so it has a mild effect on your skin, as hard water is terrible to bathe with (it's good for drinking though).

So this magnet stuff will not truly soften the water, it will be the same old hard water that would irritate the skin...hum.