Scale

How Hydropath technology acts as a descaler which prevents the build-up of scale in pipes and equipment

Hydropath technology powers the HydroFLOW water conditioners which are highly efficient, non-intrusive electronic descalers that are installed on the cold water line in your home or business. It treats fluids by inducing a robust yet harmless signal of 150kHz throughout plumbing systems made of any material, including PEX and PVC.

 

These electric waves cause mineral ions to form suspended clusters that turn into stable crystals in solution when temperature or pressure changes occur. The suspended crystals will prevent scale from building up in pipes and on heating elements, thus increasing heat transfer efficiency, lowering maintenance costs and reducing chemical usage. Standard applications include plumbing systems, water heaters, boilers, cooling towers, heat exchangers, belt filter presses, wells and pumps. Popular sectors include residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.

Unlike other products that treat liquids at a single point in a system and whose impact starts to diminish immediately after that point, HydroFLOW provides continuous water conditioning – ensuring a consistent and ongoing effect. Also, due to its unique, non-intrusive design, HydroFLOW doesn’t add any chemicals to your water supply while inhibiting pipe corrosion and eradicating bacteria and algae.

Furthermore, while it protects your plumbing and appliances, it is also easy to install, requires no maintenance or wasted real estate. A residential grade HydroFLOW device costs about $1 in electricity per year. An industrial grade HydroFLOW device costs between $10 to $20 in electricity per year.

How scale is prevented with Hydropath technology

Without HydroFLOW

water flowing through pipe without hydroflow

Minerals such as calcium carbonate, the mineral primarily responsible for limescale formation, are dissolved in the solution as TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). When temperature or pressure change occurs, minerals precipitate out of solution and accumulate as hard scale in pipes, in holding tanks and on heating elements.

 

With HydroFLOW

water in pipe with hydropath signal

When the Hydropath signal is present, the dissolved minerals combine to form loosely held clusters. When the clusters precipitate out of solution due to a temperature or pressure change, they form stable calcite crystals in suspension that do not accumulate as hard scale on the inner surface of pipes, holding tanks or heating elements. This results in the effective prevention of limescale buildup and eliminates the need for a water softener. With no new scale forming, the water flowing through the plumbing system will begin to slowly dissolve and remove the existing scale buildup.

The cost of scale

It’s important to understand that scale buildup in pipe systems, heating and cooling elements, and appliances come at a significant cost. First of all, it compromises energy-efficiency. In fact, in water heating and cooling systems, a quarter of an inch of scale buildup results in a 38 percent loss of efficiency – and that means your energy bills increase substantially.

Also, limescale buildup in pipe systems can damage the pipes and cause leaks. The resulting costs of repairing or replacing the pipe system can be substantial. Furthermore, depending on where the leak or leaks were located, there can be severe water damage to the building, including mold growth.

Limescale buildup can also shorten the life of appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, coffeemakers and more. Scale buildup on heating elements, as well as on other parts of the appliances, can damage components, leading to costly repairs and shorter functional life.

graph showing how scale thickness effects efficiency

 

HydroFLOW protects your property

Even though most of us aren’t usually aware of a problem like scale buildup, it’s an issue that comes at a considerable cost. HydroFLOW is specifically designed to protect you against these costs by not only preventing scale buildup but also removing any existing scale.

HydroFLOW can be used to protect a range of residential applications, such as water heaters and appliances, as well as pools and spas. When it comes to commercial and industrial applications, it can be used for cooling towers, chillers, filtration systems, water features, steam boilers, belt filter presses, heat exchangers and more.

Want more information about HydroFLOW and non-intrusive electronic descaling? Contact us today for answers to all your water treatment questions.