Lime Scale Removal. Technical Description
Problems Caused by Hard Water
Calcite, the main cause of scale, is the most common form of calcium
carbonate and occurs naturally as a natural ingredient of chalk,
limestone and marble. Water passing over and permeating through
such rocks dissolves calcite when this water subsequently flows
through a water system the calcite precipitates out to form a very
hard scale on surfaces.
When hard water is heated, or evaporation takes place, the problems
are exacerbated. Calcite forms ever growing layers of rock-like
deposits until eventually pipes, jets and equipment become totally
blocked.
The problem increases as the water gets hotter. Water containing
145 ppm of calcite, flowing at 3.5 litres per minute, produces in
one year 4.8 kilograms of scale at 60ºC. At 80ºC this
rises dramatically to a massive 29.9 kilograms!
Scale wastes both energy and financial resources just one eighth
of an inch of scale reduces heating efficiency by 25%. It is also
very expensive to remove, de-scaling pipes and boilers alone costs
British Industry over £800M each year.
The Benefits of Natural Hard Water
Natural hard water contains minerals and salts which in the main
have positive health benefits. Medical evidence suggests that there
are lower incidence of heart-related diseases in hard water areas.
The Scalewatcher Process
Scalewatcher is a unique, efficient, energy-saving device designed
to eliminate the problems of hard water, whilst retaining the natural
benefits. This is achieved by changing the size of the particles
of precipitated compounds, by aiding the ability of crystals to
form their shape, and by altering the solubility of compounds within
liquid.
Scalewatcher takes the process of induced ionisation to its ultimate
stage. The principles of Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) are applied
by passing Scalewatcher's patented signal through a coil wrapped
around the pipe to be treated. The signal consists of a frequency
modulated (FM) wave form within the audio frequency (AF) bandwidth.
This inaudible sonic frequency signal sets up a dynamic field around
and through the coil, pipe and water, and modifies the calcium carbonate
crystal nuclei.
The nuclei upon which the crystals start growing are minute in
size and have charged surfaces in their natural condition within
the water. When they pass through the field, these naturally charged
nuclei encounter considerable forces as the field interacts with
them. The field acts at the surfaces of the nuclei and modifies
the nature of the electrical charges and this ionisation effect
thus alters the growth rate and pattern of the crystals in general
and on specific planes.
Scale Reduction
It is this changed size, modified charge and crystalline shape
that has the first two beneficial properties for the reduction
of scale.
1. The 2-4 micron sized crystals become non-sticky and will not
coagulate or precipitate and form scale in the same way as untreated
calcium carbonate nuclei would. This process is so effective that
the water has been found to fell and behave like chemically softened
water.
2. The presence of the large crystalline shapes disrupts the equilibrium
between the fluid and any existing scale. Smaller particles in general,
dissolve more easily, so the larger particles will have reduced
the levels of calcite in solution. Hence, existing scale deposited
by precipitation will soften and gradually be absorbed into solution
and flow out of the system. In areas of still water, e.g. tanks
etc., the soft scale would settle to the bottom and could then be
removed simply by flushing.
It has been established that the physiochemical process already
described is more efficient because the signal energy is dynamically
changing. By changing the signal field at high audio frequencies,
unique to Scalewatcher, the energy imparted to the nuclei is considerably
accelerated. The crystal intra molecular structure is rapidly broken
down and the occurrence causes a fast dissolution of any existing
scale forming molecules.
An important property of Scalewatcher processed water is that the
charged crystalline shape growth will remain in that state for up
to 7 days. Thus in stored water systems the effect is much longer
lasting than other ionisation methods, retarding the reversion back
to the smaller nuclei structures that are readily precipitated.
Potability and Water Quality
The calcium carbonate remains in the water as soft crystals, not
as hard scale therefore water treated with Scalewatcher should reduce
the risk of Gallstones. Minerals which have now been taken out of
solution and crystalised to a size greater than 1 micron could,
if desirable, be reduced using a good quality on micron ceramic
or stainless steel filter.
The generation of hydrogen peroxide is in minute quantities and
readily converts back to water and oxygen. It is widely used as
an antiseptic mouth wash, therefore presents no hazard to health.
The sodium content and degree of acidity (PH) remain unchanged.
The generation of carbon dioxide invigorates the water but is not
enough to cause bubbles.
If calcium sulphate, which causes scum as opposed to scale, if
present it will also undergo a change. This increases the effectiveness
of soap/detergents.
Scalewatcher is Unique
Scalewatcher uses a patented method of softening water without
resorting to chemicals and should not be confused with other devices
that have proved to be only partially effective. The fact that Scalewatcher
can be seen to actually de-scale a water system is proof of its
effectiveness. The low cost investment quickly reduces energy, maintenance,
and repair/replacement costs and will pay for itself many times
over during its expected life-span of 20-30 years.
SCALEWATCHER - HELPING TO CONTROL BACTERIA
The Growing Bacteria Problem
The continuing growth in office, leisure and hospital buildings
utilising environmental control systems and ever more industrial
premises using complex electronic controls for machines and equipment
needing rigid environmental condition to retain efficiency, has
increased the usage of water for cooling purposes. It is estimated
that industry alone demands nearly 70 million gallons per day. As
they adopt high technology, water cooling systems become ever more
complex and difficult to maintain. They are a natural potential
breeding ground for bacteria and stringent measures have already
been introduced to deter companies from operating infected systems.
Micro biological Contamination
Water can contain literally thousands of different types of micro
biological bacteria. In the 1940's a respiratory disease, caused
by a bacteria carried in water droplets, was identified and closely
linked to certain types of cooling systems. The Legionella bacteria,
as it is now known, is widespread in natural water but requires
certain environmental conditions to enable it to multiply. It is
known to proliferate in the presence of scale, sludge, corrosion,
algae and organic compounds, all of which can be found in poorly
maintained open evaporative cooling systems.
Preventive Measures
In Properly maintained cooling systems there is little risk from
legionella, but proper maintenance, according to the Health and
Safety Executive, involves such treatments as:-
1. Scale and corrosion inhibitors to reduce the volumes of scale
or rust which may harbour legionella and allow it to proliferate.
2. Chlorination to disinfect all parts of the system.
3. Constant Monitoring of water quality.
Reducing Bacteria Growth
Scalewatcher effectively reduces scale from water systems and also
reduces the corrosion problem, thereby significantly reducing bacteria
build-up, however university tests have uncovered another property
of the unit. Micro biological analysis of infected water samples
carried out by the Wolfson Centre for Electrochemical Science showed
a reduction from 4 x 10º bacteria/cm3 to 3 x 104 bacteria/cm
after passing through the Scalewatcher signal, (a 99% reduction!).
We stress that these tests were carried out under laboratory conditions
and that standard micro biological techniques were used to estimate
the levels of bacteria present. The bacteriocidal properties were
so positive that further tests are to be commissioned. Until completion
of these tests we would advise that all necessary precautions be
taken, particularly if required by the Health and Safety Executive.
Scalewatcher is your best choice for lime scale removal, lime scale
problems. Control lime scale with Scalewatcher.
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