In a side by side comparison, thirteen reasons why HydroFLOW® is the best

“The C series water treatment system has proven to be the most successful. We have been operating these units since 1998. Now we have installed on about 85% of the heat exchangers”

HYDROPATH and Koncept Ekotech

Since 1995, Hydropath and Koncept Ekotech have worked together to bring HydroFLOW® non-chemical water treatment to both Czech Republic and Slovakia.

HydroFLOW® water treatment has been utilised by Centrotherm for 20 years. Over that time, they have tested many different water treatment methods and documented the findings in a detailed report which I endeavour to summarise.

We fully appreciate that Centrotherm have shared this report with Hydropath. For us, this is further evidence on why we are an award winning clean tech company.

Operational Experience with Water Treatment Plants in Heat Exchange stations

Centrotherm Mlada Boleslav deals with the supply of heat and hot water for end users. The cold water has raw water quality where the water hardness is 14 ̊N or 250ppm.

The core findings in this report state:

“Centrotherm Mlada Boleslav has tried more than 10 types of water treatment systems in their facilities with different results. The HydroFLOW® C series water treatment system has proven to be the most successful. We have been operating these units since 1998. Now we have installed on about 85% of the heat exchangers”.

Digging deeper into the report

Centrotherm Mlada Boleslav name each and every different water treatment system they have tested on their heat exchange systems.

Six different types of magnetic, electro static and other electronic water treatment devices were tested on their heat exchange stations.

After full examination, these were dismissed as ineffective.

Diasadvantages of using Chemical Water Treatment

Centrotherm Mlada Boleslav also performed trials with 2 different chemical water treatment which proved effective yet with many drawbacks and consequences. Including high operating costs, high energy consumption and negative environmental impact.

Conclusions drawn by Centrotherm Mlada Boleslav:

“The HydroFLOW® treatment plant has:

Significantly higher efficiency compared to other physical treatments.

Significantly lower operating costs than any chemical treatment plant.

The disadvantages of using cation exchange water softeners

Centrotherm Mlada Boleslav document their findings.

Disadvantages of using cation exchange water softeners:

Prep of the project documentation by the proposed softener
More expensive
Space demanding
For continuous operation, needs to be purchased in a pair
Greater water consumption per flush
Needs to be attached to the sewerage system
Regeneration takes several hours
Greater energy intensity
Greater operating costs
Financial increase for every 1m³ increase of water
When the setting is below 5 ̊N, so called aggresive water is created which damages the metal pipe and causes pitting, so phosphates- based inhibitors need to be supplied
Does not clean existing deposits in the pipe
Environmental impact (salt gets into sewage in a considerable amount

Thirteen Reasons why to choose HydroFLOW®

Centrotherm list the advantages they find by using HydroFLOW® clean tech water treatment devices for Limescale Control.

HydroFLOW® is Easy to retro design and retro fit into existing systems. There is no need to know the flow rates

"It has minimum requirements for input data during design (no need to know the flow rates and velocities of liquids, initial water hardness, operating mode, etc. it is sufficient to know the diameter of the pipeline.”

Once installed, HydroFLOW® requires minimum maintenance

“No entry and operational inspections, regular service inspections, filling and commissioning are eliminated".

HydroFLOW® saves on space

“It does not need waste pipes and does not take up any space in the exchanger station.”

HydroFLOW® takes very low power consumption to operate

“Easy installation, low power and energy consumption. Easy operation control".

No need to alter pipe dimension with HydroFLOW®

“There is no need to make any adjustments to the pipe dimensions.”

HydroFLOW® is a modular system designed for all types of pipe sizes, systems and sectors

“It does not require construction modifications for assembly and transport to the destination. This also eliminates complicated moving to location.”

There is energy loss in the heat transfer

“It has no heat transfer, no energy losses (it does not decline and does not need to be insulated)."

HydroFLOW® is a patented non-chemical clean technology

“Does not damage steel pipes, such as chemical treatment plants (does not produce hungry water)”

No down time required with HydroFLOW®

“No interruption of delivery during installation or repair.”

HydroFLOW® function is not dependent on optimal flow rate, pressure or temperature

“The function of the treatment plant does not depend on the flow, pressure or temperature of the liquid in the pipeline.”

It is not necessary to install another filter in front of the HydroFLOW® or closures before and after.

“It is not necessary to install a pre-filter or caps in front of and behind the treatment plant."

HydroFLOW® deals with existing limescale over time as well as preventing limescale formation

“It does not clog and does not need to be cleaned of limescale.”

HydroFLOW® saves on chemical usage, chemical disposal, water usage, energy costs, maintenance and down time

“When installed correctly, it prevents the formation of limescale on the transfer surfaces of the plate heat exchangers, thus eliminating frequent chemical cleaning of the heaters. With the treatment plant, the heater is cleaned once a year. Without treatment plant 4 times a year. This saves the heater, the cost of the chemical and its disposal, reduces the cost of cleaning work and, most importantly, reduces the downtime of the heaters during cleaning. When the heater is cleaned, the hot water supply is interrupted, which is economically disadvantageous.”

Save Water

Water saved via reduced backwash and increased cycles.

Improve Lifespan

Equipment works more efficiently and lasts longer.

Reduce Chemicals

Systems are protected with little or no need for harmful chemicals.

Reduce Downtime

Downtime for cleaning is less frequent and cleaning becomes easier.

Improve Efficiency

Heat transfer improves and pipelines become clearer, saving energy.

Customer FAQ's

Limescale Protection for Commercial Buildings

The HydroFLOW® C Range is designed for limescale protection for HVAC services in offices, schools, hotels, hospitals and other commercial buildings.

Technical Sales Engineer, Guy Dinsdale of Hydropath Tech shares a selection of FAQ‘s asked about the HydroFLOW® C Range.

Are they magnetic?

No they are electric. The electric signal is induced into the water by transformer technology and travels both upstream and downstream conditioning over a large distance.

Where should the units be positioned?

Usually installed on the cold feed to where you are heating the water. More complicated systems might require us to make an assessment. We are here to assist!

What pipe materials do they work on?

All pipe materials are compatible including plastic, copper, steel and concrete. Metallic foil insulation should be removed where the ferrites are to aid the induction of the electric signal.

What is the maximum hardness you can treat?

There is no maximum. As the water gets harder more crystals of scale are formed and this can lead to settling out and a sludge like residue. This will be much easier to clean than if it was allowed to form as hard scale.

How are the conditioners installed?

The units are built up around a convenient section of pipe. No plumbing is necessary.

Are they WRAS certified?

HydroFLOW® units do not come in to contact with the water and therefore do not need WRAS certification.

What power do they require?

They run off single phase mains electricity accepting 110V and 240V AC. They should be protected by a 3 amp fused spur or equivalent plug.