SCALE-BUSTER^®

ISB^® technology
(an electro-static and cavitational process with Galvanic action)

The operation of Scale-Buster^® is designed to cause precipitation of calcium carbonate into the water stream. This is as a result of the breakdown of the bicarbonate into carbon dioxide, water and carbonate due to the effects built into the Scale-Buster mechanism. The particles which are formed in the water stream act as nuclei for the formation of further scale when the water is heated. In this way, scale deposition upon heating surfaces is minimised.

When a salt is precipitated from solution, a relatively less saturated solution is obtained. Hence, the less saturated water is able to dissolve and breakdown existing scale from pipe surfaces, etc. and flush them from the system.

The question is often asked what happens if flow is halted in a re-circulating system and then restarted. As far as normal operation is concerned, this is unlikely to make any difference to the Scale-Buster’s performance. Many systems are shut down for periods of inactivity every day. Obviously, since the operation of Scale-Buster necessitates a moving stream of water, it will provide only limited benefits if there is no circulation at all although technically the zinc will still act as a sacrificial anode.

The additional effect of the sacrificial zinc anode allows microscopic amounts of zinc ions to permeate the water stream adding not only to the nucleisation effects but also providing protection from corrosion to the pipework itself. Corrosion is caused by aggressive radicals in water such as chlorides and sulphates which in the presence of oxygen attack metals to varying degrees. Since zinc is more reactive than iron and copper, the zinc is more likely to be attacked and thus protect the system.