Preparation of polymer-based hydrophobic aluminum substrates and investigation of their anti-scaling performance in high-salinity solutions

YAO Jing; YAN Zihan; HAO Chengming; WANG Shuli; LI Zhuo; WU Zhigen

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202506014

Volume 43 Issue 6

Jun. 2025

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2025 > 43(6): 138-146

YAO Jing, YAN Zihan, HAO Chengming, WANG Shuli, LI Zhuo, WU Zhigen. Preparation of polymer-based hydrophobic aluminum substrates and investigation of their anti-scaling performance in high-salinity solutions[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(6): 138-146. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202506014

Citation:

YAO Jing, YAN Zihan, HAO Chengming, WANG Shuli, LI Zhuo, WU Zhigen. Preparation of polymer-based hydrophobic aluminum substrates and investigation of their anti-scaling performance in high-salinity solutions[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(6): 138-146. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202506014

Citation:

YAO Jing, YAN Zihan, HAO Chengming, WANG Shuli, LI Zhuo, WU Zhigen. Preparation of polymer-based hydrophobic aluminum substrates and investigation of their anti-scaling performance in high-salinity solutions[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(6): 138-146. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202506014

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Preparation of polymer-based hydrophobic aluminum substrates and investigation of their anti-scaling performance in high-salinity solutions

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202506014

1. Quanzhou Vocational and Technical University, Quanzhou 362000, China;
2. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Received Date: 2024-06-18
Accepted Date: 2024-08-10
Rev Recd Date: 2024-07-20

Abstract

Abstract

With the introduction of China's national requirement of "Zero Liquid Discharge"， thermal evaporation has emerged as a pivotal technology for minimizing industrial high-salinity wastewater. This process relies on the efficiency and durability of the wastewater heat exchanger， which unfortunately faces significant challenges in surface scaling. The existence of scaling deposits increases the scaling thermal resistance （R_f） of the heat exchanger and reduces its operational efficiency. The scaling problem has become the main obstacle to the rapid development of evaporation crystallization process. In this study， based on the characteristics of the modified epoxy resin coating materials with good corrosion resistance and anti-scaling efficiency， a two-step method （etching and dipping） was used to prepare a coating on the metal substrate surface to obtain a hydrophobic metal substrate with superior anti-scaling efficiency. The modified epoxy coating， with a thickness measured in microns， achieved a water contact angle of approximately （137±1.5）°， indicating a high hydrophobicity. Extensive testing in three different saline solutions revealed a substantial reduction in scaling deposits， with all samples exhibiting a decrease rate of over 50%. Notably， the average scaling rate remained consistently below 0.02 mg/（cm²·h）， and an obvious scale induction period was observed. After 168 hours of continuous exposure to scaling condition， the coated substrates maintained over 45% of their initial anti-scaling efficiency. The polymer aluminum substrate developed in this study stands out for its exceptional hydrophobic and anti-scaling characteristics. It effectively withstands the corrosive effects of industrial high-salinity wastewater， thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the evaporation process. This breakthrough in coating technology not only addresses a critical challenge in thermal evaporation but also paves the way for sustainable and efficient high-salinity wastewater treatment practices in compliance with the "Zero Liquid Discharge" requirement.
- polymer coating,
- epoxy resin,
- high-salinity wastewater,
- scaling,
- anti-scaling,
- heat exchanger

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References(25)

References

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