AWT: Catalyst-Based Scale Prevention for Domestic Hot Water Systems

Standard approaches to calcite mitigation rely on chemicals, which must be replenished frequently, or ultra-fine-membrane filtering, which uses large amounts of water and energy. Researchers assessing catalyst-based non-chemical water treatment (NCWT) at the Frank E. Moss Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah, found that the technology dramatically reduced calcite buildup and had immediate payback when compared to a chemical (salt-based) system. View full-size infographic. [PDF - 251 KB]

GPG Findings 019, February 2015, CATALYST-BASED NON-CHEMICAL WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM. Opportunity: What percentageof the U.S. has hard water? 85%OF THE UNITED STATES HAS HARD (>121 MG/L) WATER.CALCITE BUILDUP. due to hard water restricts waterflow and causes heating systems to overheat and fail. Technology: How does the Catalyst-Based NCWT work? PIPE WITHHELICAL INSERT PREVENTS CALCITE BUILDUP BY TRANSFORMING CALCIUM AND CARBON TO FLUSHABLE ARAGONITE CRYSTALS. Measurement and Verification. Where did M and V occur? OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY assessed the effectiveness of the catalyst-based NCWT at the Moss Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before installation of NCWT, commercial-grade heating elements overheated and failed after only two months of operation. Results: How did Catalyst-Based NCWT perform in M&V? EFFECTIVEREDUCTION OF CALCITE.NO BUILDUP AFTER 18 MONTHS.O&M MINIMAL.NO MOVING PARTS OR CHEMICALS. <2 yrs PAYBACK; IMMEDIATE WHEN COMPARED TO CHEMICAL SYSTEMS. Deployment: Where does M&Vrecommend deploying Catalyst-Based NCWT? FACILITIES WITH HARD WATER. Any heating system with calcification issues including hydronic heating systems and boilers, condensing boilers, and gas and electric water heaters. The harder the water, the more likely NCWT will be cost-effective [PDF - 251 KB]


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Last Reviewed: 2022-05-06