Effect of Magnetic Fields on Calcium Sulfate Crystal Morphology

摘要

Magnetic fields are believed to prevent or minimize crystallization on heat transfer surfaces. The mechanisms that contribute to this phenomenon are not known. To investigate possible mechanisms, solutions of calcium sulfate at different concentrations were prepared and subjected to static magnetic fields of 0.1 T. The resulting crystals were examined with a Scanning Electron Microscope. The results of the SEM analysis show changes in the structure of the crystals. It is concluded that subjecting a magnetic field to a supersaturated solution affects the direction of crystal growth, possibly increasing the growth rate in one direction and suppressing it in the other directions.