 Water conditioning FAQ
What are the differences between traditional salt using water softening
and the NoScale® media?
- >99% scale removal from pipes and water using appliances
- Lime scale prevention
- No Power
- No Backwash
- No Maintenance
- No Salt
- No Chemicals
How do the NoScale® function?
Hard water is water that has high mineral content mainly charged dissolved
magnesium (Mg2+) and calcium (Ca2+) carbonate (temporary hardness).
NoScale® is a catalyst media which transforms the dissolved Mg2+
and Ca2+ carbonate into non-charged neutral chemical bonds (calcite
crystals). When the crystals reach size in the range of nanometer
(microscopic) they detach and are carried away by the water flow. The
crystals are heat resistant and do not revert to dissolved state.
How can I test the media performance?
Answer for water treatment dealer: Depend on the flow rate and media
contact time with water the pH will drop by 0.02-0.05 units and the
TDS value is reduced significantly. Percentage TDS reduction depends
of the original TDS value. We had TDS reduction between 10-20%.
Answer for homeowner: Use two sauce pans each filled with unconditioned
and conditioned water and bring them to boiling point. As the water
boils down the unconditioned water will build up hard scum on the side
of the sauce pan. The conditioned sauce pan will have no hard scum
build on the side of the pan and you will see a circulation of hardness
crystals at the bottom of the pan. These crystals are easily wiped
out with cloth or sponge. 
If the water hardness is tested after the system is
installed will the hardness level be different?
The water tested after the NoScale® System will have
similar hardness levels. In the short term, it may even test
slightly harder due to the existing scale being removed from the
plumbing (This is usually seen more on the hot water side due
to more hardness build up on the inside of the hot water heater and
pipes). After the existing scale is removed the hardness will
go back to normal hardness levels.
 What
effects should I expect after installing Aquacera system w/
NoScale® media?
1. New construction home; soft water will feel silk
and no lime scale deposits on bath tubs, shower glass and
plumbing fixtures.
2. Existing construction home; with or without "classical" softener
you may notice that the water is becoming harder in the beginning as
piping scale begins dissolving. It will improve daily
as the existing scale melts away. Depending on the thickness of the
existing scale it will take some time (up to 90 days) to remove
100%. The dissolved scale residue is easily wiped off with a cloth
or a sponge. Once de scaling is completed your pipes will remain free
of lime scale build up. You may experience a salty taste or slight
odor in the water for a short period of time after removal of the old
softener. This is because the old softener was under performing causing
calcium/sodium build up in piping system. The new conditioner will
remove the calcium/sodium build up. Consumer
NoScale® brochure
in PDF format>>
Will NoScale® media de scale my existing
lime scale build up on toilets, shower/tub enclosures, faucets etc.?
Because there is not direct water flow across these surfaces, other
than water splashing, the old scale has to be removed manually using
lime removal cleaners. Any new accumulation will wipe of easily.
If you use a dishwasher and replace a salt based softener with NoScale® you may notice some calcium spotting on glassware. This will diminish
to the residual level of the calcium present in your water supply when
the de scaling is completed. In the interim add a half cup of household
vinegar to the rinse cycle to eliminate a short term spotting problem.
You should switch to a phosphate free dishwasher detergent and reduce
your soap usage to the level you used with salt softener.
During the de scaling period flush your water heater for about five
minutes once a week. Once de scaling is completed your water heater
will be more energy efficient and last longer. Additional benefits
with NoScale® are 50% less soap and detergent use and best of all not having corrosive
sodium in your water.
Is the NoScale® media certified?
The NoScale® meets the stringent European water quality
standards, which include the DVGW-W512 guidelines. The German test method DVGW-W512
was developed for the evaluation of the efficiency of water treatment
installations for reducing lime scale build-up. At this time NoScale® media
is in test stage under
DVGW-W512 protocol. The test result will be published on this page
upon completion.
In addition to, the NoScale® media was tested and approved by
WQA in the USA to ANSI/NSF standard 61 for materials safety (to be
in contact with potable water) and carry WQA gold seal.
What are the operating conditions?
Contact time with water 2 seconds, pH range 6-9, chlorine less than
3 ppm, iron (Fe), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), oil and grease must
be removed prior NoScale® conditioner. Max. temperature up to
150° F
however the maximum temperature is governed by media tank and other
components used in a system. The
range of hardness with the two models offered on our web site are
up to 25/425 g.p.g/mg.L. The NoScale® media is not limited to the
water hardness therefore we can design system to any level of hardness.
Technical data of the NoScale® media?
Surface: Ceramic. Matrix: Polyacryl. Size: 0.4 - 1.2 mm. Color: Light
yellow. Bulk density: 50 lbs. per cu. ft.
Will iron foul the NoScale® media?
No. The media ceramic-polymer spheres oxidizes the dissolved iron
to a precipitated particulate form. We use a proprietary filled media
backwash system after the conditioner to trap the iron particles.
Daily automatic backwash of the media tank is the only requirement.
This way we soften the water and to remove iron (up to
40 ppm) with no salt and no chemicals.
This is a new, the most advanced patented approach to water conditioning
and iron removal.
Since there is no backwash needed what prevents the media bed from getting fouled?
The media operates in continuous up flow backwash condition therefore
do not filter anything from the water. The NoScale® media works as a catalyst
only, not as a filtration media therefore there is no accumulation of
anything in the suspended bed of the NoScale® media. The media holding tank
contains about 25-30% media and the rest of it is freeboard backwash
volume.
What if the media bed gets contaminated with bacteria?
Continuous backwash is the best action to keep the media clean.
The media can be treated with chlorine (up to 2-3
ppm) to kill bacteria and to remove organic matter.
What is the life expectancy of the NoScale® media before needing to be replaced?
Several
years ago media manufacturer had installed over 500 conditioners in
real life applications for annual field testing purposes. The sixth
annual test was performed in 2008 with results of zero media attrition
(spend ability) and conditioning the water with the same performance
as day one, when they were initially installed. So, conservative
estimation is at least 6 years.
How the NoScale® media compares with "classical" ionic exchange salt softeners?
The NoScale® nano ceramic technology is the most innovative advancement in water
treatment in the last quarter century. It does not add nor remove anything
from the water. It leaves the water in it's own natural state with
all the benefits of naturally soft water.
Unlike salt conditioned water, NoScale® conditioned water
meets WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines on calcium and magnesium
content in drinking water.
The "classical" ion exchange resin technology is over 60
years old and works on a different principal. In ion exchange softeners
for each calcium and magnesium ion removed (the hardness minerals)
two sodium ions are added to the water which can have adverse effects
to humans, environment, plant life, septic fields etc.
In many parts of the world as well in US there are outright bans and
or pending legislation to stop salt discharge into municipal sewers.
Imagine the kind of problem a sewer treatment plant
will have with hundreds or thousands softeners discharging salt brine down the drain. Salt brine interferes with the bacteria inhibiting
capabilities in degradation of the raw sewage.
Isn't potassium better alternative to "no salt" regeneration?
No!!! It is not the healthy potassium (K) used as a regenerants. It is
potassium chloride (KCL), a substitute for salt (sodium chloride) with
same if not worst adverse effects to humans, environment etc. as salt
except it's more expensive. Let's face it. It's still a salt but the
word "potassium" makes
a better sales pitch. They both remove valuable calcium and magnesium
from the water.
Salt softened water feels mushy, slippery and slimy when showering
and gives a "can't rinse the soap off my skin" feeling. This feeling
comes from the sodium reacting with your body oils.
Most detergents contain a lot of sodium which produce a lot of suds
but the suds have no cleaning effect. A typical salt softener salesperson
will demonstrate the suds effect for a salt softener performance.
What about magnet softeners, how effective are they?
We do not know of magnets that work efficiently on constant water
flow demand. There may be some magnet products that perform satisfactorily
in closed loop systems such as boilers feed water where only trickle
water is added to the system.
Hard water cannot be magnetized. For something to be magnetized and
alter the ionic state it need to possess a good amount of ferromagnetic
materials in its composition. Calcium and magnesium ions don't have
any so, how those inexpensive "alternatives" to salt free
softening gadgets will "soften" the water.
In what applications can conditioners
with NoScale® media be used?
In residential applications where superior quality water
is desired for taste and naturally like soft water functionality.
In commercial applications where de scaling and scale prevention is required
such as:
- Restaurants, commercial kitchens and coffee shops; extends the life
and reduces maintenance of ice makers, coffee machines, dishwashers,
water heaters, steamers, laundry equipment. A plus is better tasting water
and less coffee use.
- Landscaping and greenhouses; improve soil percolation for stronger
root propagation.
- Specialty applications; boiler feed water, solar equipment, RO
pretreatment, cooling towers, car washes and many other applications.
How are your systems sold?
Aquacera brand systems with NoScale® media are made in USA by
CFCI and are sold through professional water treatment dealers as
well directly to retail consumers having water analysis report.
NoScale® MEDIA - THE NO SALT APPROACH
TO WATER CONDITIONING. THE FUTURE OF WATER CONITIONING!
MAKE THE CHANGE.
NoScale® is registered trade mark of Fairey Industrial Ceramics Ltd UK. Aquacera USA is an authorized user for N. America. |
