How MetalOx Works
The control of scale formation has been estimated to cost U.S. industry approximately 12 billion annually. Historically, chemical inhibitors and conditioning units have been the norm in scale control. These old methods have proven effective but not without the hassles of continual maintenance and high cost. Now with CuZn's patented process media, we can offer affordable effective scale and bacteriogical control without the hassles of chemicals and maintenance.

CuZn MetalOx™ process media is a high purity, copper-zinc foam that operates under the Oxidation/Reduction (Redox) property of dissimilar metals. This reaction is as simple as the operation of a battery, two dissimilar metals are submerged in an electrolyte and a flow of electrons is created. When water is processed, the Oxidation/Reduction Potential (ORP) of the MetalOx™ media is effected. With the shift in ORP, electrons begin to flow among the copper and zinc. Zinc ions are sacrificed into the cooling water; acting as a crystal modifier. Scale naturally occurs as a calcite crystal structure (snow flake), which easily accumulates on cooling fins, heat exchange surfaces, and pipes. The free zinc ions actively change the physical properties of scale into an aragonite form of crystal (round). By changing the structure of the calcite crystal, scale is unable to adhere to equipment and plumbing and can be caught in our pre-sediment filtration system. Analysis has also indicated our process effects pre-existing scale deposits in the treated water system as well. Present scale accumulations soften and slough off as a "soft scale" which in turn can also be removed with our sediment filtration systems. With the crystal modifier properties of MetalOx™ in mind, cycles of concentration can be 6-8 times higher then chemical treatment resulting in a decrease in water usage and an increase in efficiency.

Before MetalOx™
This calcium crystal, in calcite form, magnified 300,000 times under an electron microscope, shows limestone scale in untreated cooling water. The irregular edges catch and latch onto one another and the inside of pipes to create scale

After MetalOx™
These calcium crystals, now in aragonite form, magnified 300,000 times, are in cooling water that has been filtered once through MetalOx™ media. The crystals have been reshaped into small, even, rounded grains and rods that will not adhere to metallic surfaces. The solubility of water is also enhanced.

 

Fluid coolers, evaporate condensers, and cooling towers are plagued by corrosion and biofouling. Corrosion can cause equipment damage and cut the product life short, in turn generates maintenance and downtime. Water, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and low pH are all contributing factors for corrision. The MetalOx™ treatment system protects metallic surfaces by elevating the pH to a non-corrosive range, controlling biofouling which leads to the generation of organic acids, reducing the conductivity of the water and depositing a corrosion inhibiting film of zinc based compounds. Biological fouling and algae growth can also be a serious concern in a cooling system. MetalOx™ treatment media combats biological fouling and algae growith as well. The Redox released zinc has been proved to create an environment that is uninhabitable to bacteria and algae that grow in cooling tower applications. Also, the shift in ORP on the surface of the active media creates an electric shock that most microorganisms can not survive. Along with this shift in ORP, pH of the cooling water is raised to deadly levels for microorganisms such as Legionella Pneumophilla that is the origin for Legionnaires disease.

With MetalOx™ patented process technology, FFT can offer affordable effective cooling water treatment without the hassles of chemicals and maintenance. Cleansing the system of scale accumulation and biological growth thus increasing equipment efficiency, flow, and pressure while decreasing costs of power and water usage. MetalOx™ is the most advanced non-chemical cooling water treatment system available.