PHYSICAL WATER CONDITIONERS How Effective Can They Be ? A Presentation for ASPE

1. PHYSICAL WATERCONDITIONERSHow Effective Can They Be ? A Presentation for ASPE Jonny Seccombe President Aqua-Rex LLC 3301 Spring Mountain Rd Ste 18 Las Vegas NV 89102 949 887 2170

2. Learning Objectives • - Understand the Chemistry of Hard Water • - Effects of Scale on Plumbing Systems • - Ion Exchange Softeners – Pro’s & Con’s • Alternatives to ‘Salt’ Softeners – PWC’s -How Physical Water Conditioners Work • Design – PWC location effects performance • Summary

3. The Chemistry • Calcium Bicarbonate • (Dissolved) • Ca (HCO³)² • Becomes • Ca CO³Calcium Carbonate + • (Solid) • CO²Carbon Dioxide + • H²OWater “Scaling Events” Temperature Above 130 F Pressure Drop pH Increased DUE TO To Treat Hard Water - Either get rid of Ca (Calcium) or HCO³Bicarbonate

4. Scale Sticks to SurfacesScale has to form onto something It won’t spontaneously form onto itselfIt has to have a surface or nucleation seed to form onto Meldrum & Sear – Now You See Them Science VOL 322 19 December 2008

5. Scale Sticks to Surfaces – So • Plant Lifecycle Costs Increase–maintenance, replacements, flow rates • Energy is Wasted–Limescale is 400 times less conductive of Heat than Copper. 1/8” of scale equates to 12% loss in heating efficiency, • Pumps have to work harder in constricted pipes • Hygiene is Worse – Scale traps dirt so cleaning is more difficult. Locker Rooms, Assisted Living, Dorms, Water Features • Legionella Greater Risk –scale harbors bacteria

6. Regular Water Softeners Remove calcium by “Ion Exchange” • Resin beads in Tank dosed with Salt • Excellent Results • Well proven technology • But • Requires Regular Dosing with Salt • Plant Costs and Space useage • Maintenance and Servicing • Potability – Elderly and Infants • Softener Bans – Chlorides!

7. Quote! • “It’s a long time since I put in a pure softener system” • Paul Jolly • Senior Public Health Engineer • WSP Group – Flack and Kurtz • July 2008 • Probably 95% of water treatment in Public Buildings, Schools, Hospitals, Hotels & Defense Establishments In UK • is now done by • Physical Water Conditioners

8. Physical Water Conditioners • Create nucleation seeds that encourage scale to form in suspension rather than encrust surfaces. • Nucleation Seeds –Many forms such as Zinc, Iron (Fe), Silico Phosphates plus others – some not yet identified.

9. Physical Water Conditioners • Stimulate scale formation in SUSPENSION in the Water • Instead of ENCRUSTATION on Surfaces • The scale floating in the water is harmless – its good for you when you drink it

10. Two Stage Process • Stage One – Create the nucleation seeds • Stage Two – Use a “Scaling Event” to create the scale on the nucleation seeds. The closer together, in terms of time and distance, that these two events occur the more effective the treatment is likely to be. There is no detectable difference in the water, or its content, after stage one.

11. Magnetic/ Electrolytic • DC current or Dissimilar Metals • Corrodes Zinc (Coetzee et al.) • Creates Zinc Hydroxide seeds • But • Finite amount of corrosion • Passivity – water quality? • Limited Effective Life • Unless Anodes are Cleaned or Replaced

12. Template Assisted Crystallization • “New” Technology Using “Seeding” Media • Conventional Tanks • Low Maintenance • But • Vulnerable to Contamination from Cu, Fe, Cl & Phosphates • Not clear when media replacement is required • Unpredictable Performance • Unreliable due to changing water quality • Withdrawn from UK market by Lifescience Products due to lack of predictability

13. Electronic/Electromagnetic • Some induce an electro magnetic field others Induce an electric charge • Act on ions already in the Water • Some Treat Static Water • Some Remove Existing Scale • Some are Non Intrusive –easy to retro fit • But • Durability of stage one can be limited • Effectiveness reduced in “clean” water • Correct Location on layout is VITAL

14. Factors to consider when Locating an Electronic Water Conditioner Cold Water Tanks – Cisterns Booster Sets Circulation Pumps Re-circulating Systems – Cooling Towers Swimming Pools Hot Water Return Cold water services to mixing valves

15. Heat Exchangers Find the Pump ! Primary HOT WATER TANK Heat Exchanger o x Secondary Water Heater Design is Significant –Do the scale particles accumulate in the bottom of the tank or does the incoming water stir it up? Can it get drawn from the tank into the water heater?

16. Can a Physical Water Conditioner Soften Water? If a device can stimulate scale formation in suspension and increase the amount of precipitation that takes place Then There will be less Calcium Bicarbonate dissolved in the water The water will therefore be chemically softer although total calcium remains the same It will behave like partially softened water Residual Calcium Bicarbonate in Hot Water 100ppm 50ppm Weeks from 1 - 12 Re

17. A WORD OF WARNING !!!! Make sure YOU know what you are buying It is quite possible that the Manufacturer doesn’t know what he is actually selling!

18. Summary Calcium Bicarbonate (dissolved) makes water hard. Calcium Carbonate (particulate) is formed when precipitation occurs – the scale once formed is effectively inert. PWC’s use a Two Stage Process – They create Nucleation Seeds then a “Scaling Event” is needed to create the scale. Magnets/Electrolytic Systems generally dose zinc hydroxide Electronic/Electromagnetic – Act on salts already in the water. Location is critical Preventing scaling using PWC’s - Reduces energy consumption and lifecycle costs Promotes hygiene & reduces the risk of legionella Can produce most of the benefits of conventional water softeners but without generating chloride effluent - and at lower cost