Water altering technology???

[von Stalhein]

G'day all,
I was reading an industry mag - I think it was an advertorial - when this passage tickled my BS meter: -

<brandname> utilizes a series of computer generated resonance frequencies to disrupt electron polarity. This neutralizes the bonding ability of any minerals or chemicals present in the flow and scale formation ceases.

The resonance frequencies are focused in the flow, via antennae, wound in tight coils around the treated water pipe. There are no flow restrictions. These frequencies remain active in water for up to 5 days and progressively break down the bonds of any scale already formed. All pipes and equipment connected to the treated flow, become scale free within a 3 month period.

Without their bonding mechanism, large mineral crystals become unstable and reduce to tiny sub 4 micron particles. This tiny particle size enables the flow to assume the properties of soft water and makes possible a wide range of commercial, agricultural, lifestyle and health benefits. These include mould and algae removal, enhanced plant growth, and viable crops, in high salinity bore water.

My chemistry is a bit rusty, but I'm dubious about the claims in the above. I tried to find some peer reviewed papers about it, but no luck. If by some miracle it did work it means that the salt and other (harmful) mineral levels in bore water are no longer an issue. Basically, I call shenanigans.

I'd be interested in any feedback.

von Stalhein

[aXis]

Im sure it's shenanigans too. It's possible that injected radiation could form the creation of free radicals (like ozone) which then attach mineral deposits, but not in the way they expain it.

[von Stalhein]

As usual, the testimonials say it works.
It would be a fair bit cheaper than a desalinisation plant

I've emailed the mag editor asking for some links on scientific papers, but I'm not positive I'll get a reply.

von Stalhein

[Goth]

<brandname> utilizes a series of computer generated resonance frequencies to disrupt electron polarity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit

[EvilGnomes]

I'm not really well schooled on this, but wouldnt that make positrons? (Assuming that somehow frequencies were related to polarity :P) which would then be able to collide into other electrons and result in annihilation?

[von Stalhein]

I was wrong, I got a reply from the mag editor confirming that it was an advertorial, and provided by the company.
Credibility = 0

[hlokk]

I've read something about how to spot scientifically bullshit articles, I wish I could remember where the link is. Generally articles that are peppered with complex sounding words are really obfuscating the lack of scientific principle. "If you cant explain it simply, then you dont understand it" seems appropriate too.

They dont explain what kind of frequencies they use (electromagnetic, sound, etc). They dont explain how the device doesnt vapourise the water (or the pipes). If the frequencies last for 5 days (apparently they drop off, no exponential decay here) then why dont the frequencies destroy the calcium in your bones as well as the water. As for the sub-micron particles, a calcium ion is around 180pm (one picometer being a millionth of a micrometer or micron), so 4 micron particles can still contain a lot of calcium (and/or magnesium, carbonate). Not that that matters anyway as the calcium/magnesium carbonate that causes hard water and limescale is aqueous in solution anyways. When the water evaporates away from it its formed, its not floating as big chunks in the water. Similarily soap scum is formed by soap bonding with the ions not large particles. Conventional proven sediment/particle water cartridges can remove particles down to 0.5 microns, so you may as well just filter your water. You can even remove the ions (to reduce hardness) using active filters like RO.

This tiny particle size enables the flow to assume the properties of soft water and makes possible a wide range of commercial, agricultural, lifestyle and health benefits.

Oh, i'm sure they're using it in commercial and agricultural applications Soft water has nothing to do with the size of the particles, its to do with the amount of carbonate in the water. Magically reducing the size of suspended solids is going to do jack all to the hardness.


I think the company name your thinking of is the SOPC, the "Snake Oil Panacea Company"

[von Stalhein]

The worst part about it as far as I am concerned is that there are a lot of people in my industry that are not as well equipped as I might be to spot this sort of crap.

According to here they have had $80K in government funding, back in '04.

I'm in the wrong job!!!!

[Dr feelgood]

I did see an article on beyond 2000 (back in the 80's) that used ultra sonics to clean up pollution from air, don't know if that was BS or not but it sounds like they stole the idea from there.