This document summarizes a presentation about physical water conditioning. It discusses how hard water forms scale and affects plumbing systems. It then explains that physical water conditioners work differently than ion exchange softeners by creating nucleation seeds that encourage scale to form in suspension rather than on surfaces. This prevents scale buildup while softening water as a byproduct. Case studies show how these conditioners reduced costs for properties in Las Vegas through less maintenance and replacement of equipment compared to conventional softeners.

1. PHYSICAL WATER
CONDITIONING
A PRESENTATION
By
Jonny Seccombe
President
Aqua-Rex LLC
3301 Spring Mountain Rd Ste 18
Las Vegas NV 89102
877 640 2170

2. Learning Objectives
A. Understand the Chemistry of Hard Water
B. Effects of Scale on Plumbing Systems
C. Ion Exchange Softeners – Pro’s & Con’s
D. Environmental Damage from Chlorides
E. How Physical Water Conditioners Work
F. Case Studies
G. Benefit to Distribution Systems

3. The Chemistry
Calcium Bicarbonate
(Dissolved)
Ca (HCO³)²
Becomes
Ca CO³ Calcium Carbonate +
(Solid)
CO² Carbon Dioxide +
H²O Water
To Treat Hard Water - Either get rid of
Ca (Calcium) or HCO³ Bicarbonate
Water can Contain Calcium Carbonate
And still be Soft Water
Temperature
Above 130 F
Pressure Drop
pH Increased
DUE TO
“Scaling Events”

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

6. Scale Sticks to Surfaces – So
• Reduces Life of Equipment – water heaters,
faucets, shower heads. Increases maintenance
and reduces flow rates
• Energy is Wasted– Calcium scale 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, Drinking Fountains
• Legionella Greater Risk – Scale harbor’s
bacteria

7. 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 usage
•Maintenance and Servicing
•Head Loss and Water Wastage
•Potability – Elderly and Infants
•Softener Bans – Chloride Effluent Restricts Re-use.

11. Saving Precious Water
So Called “Highly Efficient”
Ion Exchange Softeners:
For every 1,000 grains of hardness removed from
the water 5 gallons of water is wasted.
So for every TWO grains of hardness -
water consumption is increased by 1%.
Additionally, it’s extremely difficult to reuse waste water
that has been softened due to the risk of sodium and
chloride toxicity to plants.

12. 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 (Poly) Phosphates, Calcium
Carbonate powder plus others – some not yet
identified.

13. 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

14. Two Stage Process
•Stage One – Create the nucleation seeds
•Stage Two – Use a “Scaling Event” to create
the scale on a nucleation seed.
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.

15. ▪ Treats Water Upstream and Downstream
▪ Converts Iron (Fe) ions into nucleation seeds
▪ Stops Scale from Sticking to surfaces
▪ Removes Existing Scale
▪ Softens water as a by-product
▪ Non-Intrusive/Retro-Fit
▪ 20 Year Warranty
▪ Low Cost & ZERO MAINTENANCE
Radio
Transmitter !
Weeks from 1 - 12
50ppm
Peak 170ppm
Residual
Calcium
(ppm)

16. Installation Of Device After Booster Pump
Or Circulation Pump

18. IAPMO IGC 335 TEST RIG
Uses just over one litre of water
Heated at 180 oF for 23 Hours
A Stainless Steel sheath which
has been placed over the heater
element is removed, dried and
weighed.
The scale is removed by using
Hydrochloric Acid.
The sheath is weighed again.
The difference in weights is the
weight of scale deposited on the
sheath.

19. Repeat 4 times with
and without
treatment, average
the readings and
report the difference
Benefits are that:-
It uses a small
volumes of water
Over a short period of
time
Which means it is
inexpensive and
quick
It is also very
accurate with small
standard errors

20. DE-SCALING AN EXISTING SYSTEM
Some Devices will cause existing scale to
break up and come out of the system. The
mechanism is not fully understood but appears
to be a function of resonance.
The effect can be dramatic and occur very
quickly and can cause issues as a result of the
scale debris.
The whole process can be complete within a
few weeks.

21. Scaled Valve in Las Vegas Hotel March 31 2009

22. Same Valve after Treatment June 8 2009

23. Similar Valve Three Years after Installation

24. Supply Pipe Saltillo MX

26. 11/19/08 12/01/08
SOFTENS WATER
The US Geological Survey defines soft
water as being less than 60 ppm.
Independent 3rd party testing
on a PWC by TFW Associates
Forensic Engineering
Consultants to the legal
profession.
This graph shows a reduction
of dissolved calcium ions in the
water to 50 ppm.

27. CASE STUDY – PANORAMA TOWERS, LAS VEGAS
600 plus luxury Condos
Built with two conventional
softeners in each tower
treating only hot water
services. One softener
failed after six years.
Six PWC devices
installed in each tower
treating both hot and
cold services
Less scale now as cold
services also treated.
Total initial cost $55,000
Annual Costs $ 120
Savings Year 1 $168,000
First 3 years $500,000

28. CASE STUDY – COSMOPOLITAN LAS VEGAS
Developer was in Bankruptcy
Conventional softeners would
have cost $1 million
Two devices were installed in
each of the eleven pressure zones
Additional devices were installed on the circulation
loops in the Towers and in the Rest Rooms; about fifty
in total.
Total Cost less than $100,000
No Scale issues anywhere on the property since
installation completed in 2013. No Servicing required

29. Xxxxx PWC

30. Summary
Preventing scaling using Aqua-Rex
Reduces - The need to replace Distribution Systems
- Plant, Equipment and Fixture replacements.
- The risk of legionella
- Water Consumption and Chloride
Contamination compared to Conventional
Water Softening
BUT
Without generating chloride effluent
Using less space
At much lower cost - both initial and ongoing.

31. IS THE ONLY PRODUCT
CURRENTLY TESTED UNDER A
US DEFINED PERFORMANCE
VERIFICATION PROTOCOL TO
PROVE ITS EFFECTIVENESS.

32. FLOWBAN
BATH TUB FLOOD PREVENTION