On the induction time of CaCO3: Effect of ionic strength

Tarek Waly*, Maria D. Kennedy, Geert Jan Witkamp, Gary Amy, Jan C. Schippers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

This research investigated the induction times of CaCO3 as a function of the saturation and ionic strength for synthetic solutions based on the Gulf of Oman seawater analysis. The investigation aimed to determine at elevated ionic strength levels, (i) the CaCO3 phase incorporated in the Stiff and Davis saturation index and (ii) the mechanism of nucleation involved. Induction time experiments were performed with synthetic concentrates having different ionic strengths of 0.054, 1.12, 1.34, 1.61 mole/l. Results showed that S&DSI incorporate the solubility of calcite at low ionic strength but vaterite for high ionic strength water. This expectation was confirmed with microscopic analysis of the formed crystals at the end of the induction time experiments (24 h) as vaterite was found in the solution instead of calcite. These findings indicate that vaterite and not calcite maybe the precipitating phase in seawater. The study of the mechanism of nucleation showed three different trends describing three different nucleation mechanisms; namely homogenous, heterogeneous and a one characterized by an intermediate surface tension. The calculations of the apparent surface energy showed values ranging from 15-94 mJ/m2 which is consistent with literature data for vaterite. Results suggest that for the level of saturation reached in SWRO systems, the nucleation mechanism will most probably be heterogeneous.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-69
Number of pages15
JournalDesalination and Water Treatment
Volume39
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Desalination
  • Membrane
  • Nucleation
  • Phase
  • Seawater
  • Surface energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Pollution

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