Cons on the shopping channel

[jjaammeess]

The latest I see is this device which is basically a transformer(They showed a cutaway). The output from the transformer forms a solenoid wrapped round the cold water rising mains as it comes into the house.This is supposed to cure furring up of the pipes and prevent furthur furring. I think it is a con. Is there any scientific reason why this should work.

Other cons
magnet wrapped round the fuel pipe to reduce petrol consumption
Stainless steel disc partly immersed in water to cure odours
These items are very very expensive
Is there any reason they should work

[Sphinx_Svens]

It does work ... get technical here...

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/descal.html

[jake-the-peg]

You should read your sources more carefully Sphinx

There are many devices on the market for the magnetic treatment of water for the removal of such limescale. The sales success of these devices would seem to indicate that some work as promoted....


Many tests mainly utilizing single pass systems, however, have proved negative [212]. Recirculatory systems, with prolonged magnetic exposure, give more supportive results. Rapid movement (1200 rpm) in a strong magnetic field (4.75 T) had a significant effect compared with the movement or field alone

So it only works if you spin it at 1200rpm at 4.75 Tesla that is a HUGE magnetic field

Here is a picture of a 5 Tesla magnet:
http://mag-net.ee.umist.ac.uk/reports/P14/p14_ 2.html

[jjaammeess]

That is very interesting Sphinx.I was convinced it was a con

[Sphinx_Svens]

Jake ...it does work ...try it...

[jake-the-peg]

Why would I try it Sphynx? you just sent me a link from the Southbank University telling me it only works if you spin the water a 1200rpm and subject it to a huge magnetic field!

Cranfield University agrees sayin that most sucessful implementations have occurred in continuously recirculating systems
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/water/magnets/

They appear to have a possible application in airconditioning systems where water is continually circulating or possibly in your central heating system.

Even the Baker and Judd paper on this says "Industrial case studies indicate that the most successful implementations are in hot recirculating systems"

There doesn't seem much evidence to suggest that it works in a domestic environment.

[Catso]

As regards the stainless steel thing, I do have actual experience of a similar thing:

I used to work in a kitchen and one of my jobs was peeling onions - sack of them! Naturally, after half a day doing this, my hands reeked of onion. I could never get rid of the smell without have a long soak in the bath - until one of the older people in the kitchen told me to try a little gadget from Lakeland. It is a flat-pear-shaped lump of stainless steel. You just wash you hands with it, with or without soap.

Amazingly, it did indeed rid the onion smell instantly. Or at the very least, diminish it drastically, far more so than repeated hand-washing.

So, stainless steel may do something as regards odours, but I've no idea how or why.

[Sphinx_Svens]

Jake ... bit of a know-all are you?

[tomd]

Good scientific response there Sphinx.

[WaldoMcFroog]

How is Jake being a know-it-all? All he's done is master the art of reading - from a source *you* provided at that.

The evidence doesn't support the claims being made. QED.

[Sphinx_Svens]

my opinion ...they work ...screw you

[tomd]

Again, good response. Never agrue with a fool.

[Catso]

Is that agree or argue?

[Kim A]

I don't know why it works, I'm not scientifically-minded, nor do I particularly care why it works -it just does. My friend B got one of these devices from one of the shopping channels. We live on the South coast in just about the hardest water area you can get. We have to filter our water, use calcium removers, the lot. She has had this thing installed in her attic for the last three months. She's thrown out her water filter. She can drink crystal clear water straight from the tap, no sediment or anything. Scum has vanished from cups of tea. Mugs don't get stained brown. It works. And no, we don't work for the shopping channel!