Frequently
Asked Questions
What is an Ion?
An ion is an atom, or group of atoms, that possesses an electrical
charge. An atom is like a tiny solar system, with a nucleus in the
middle and one or more electrons orbiting around the outside. Inside
the nucleus are positively charged particles called protons. The
electrons are negatively charged. An atom usually contains an equal
number of protons and electrons. An ion gets its electrical charge by
losing or gaining electrons. If it has an extra ion, it is called an
ANION. If it has lost an electron, it is a positive ion, or known as a
CATION.
What is copper-silver ionization?
The process that causes an element to gain or lose electrons is called
ionization. Copper-silver ionization is the electronic release of
copper and silver ions.
How does
copper-silver ionization work?
A low voltage, alternating DC current is passed through a set of
metallic electrodes, which are placed in-line with the circulation
system and set slightly apart from one another. The voltage
causes some of the outermost atoms of the electrodes to lose an
electron, thus becoming positive ions, which attempt to flow across the
space between the electrodes, but instead are carried away by the flow
of water. The electrodes are located
in the "ion chamber" plumbed in the return line. A separate control box
supplies a variable, low-voltage DC charge to the electrodes.
How does
copper-silver ionization purify water?
It is a well-established, well-documented fact that copper ions in
water will inhibit algae growth, while silver ions kill
bacteria and viruses. The electrodes consist of a metal
plated
cathode and a metal plated anode. Low voltage is introduced as direct
current, at milliamp levels, that passes between the cathode and anode.
As the current moves, it produces metal ions from the copper and
silver.
Because water is flowing through the chamber, many of these ions are
swept
away before they can reach the other side of the electrode. The
electrodes
are scientifically formulated with a 96% copper and 4% silver alloy
mix.
How do you
control the actual amount of ionization taking place?
The amount of mineral ions released is controlled by a rheostat, an
adjustable transformer that changes 110 or 220 AC current from the
power service to low-voltage DC current. The higher the charge, the
more ions
are released. The polarity switches back and forth between the
electrodes' two elements to prevent plating of the cathode - a process
that reduces
the electrodes' active surface over time.
How do you
know if
ionization is taking place?
Every purifier includes a test kit that can measure a precise amount of
copper ions in the water. A single test should be done once a week in
the hot summer months. The test only takes a couple of minutes. After
the tablet is added to the water sample, you compare the color to a
chart on the test kit to determine the copper ion level. This test is
called a
Chlorimetic Test.
What is the
recommended copper ion level?
The recommended range is between .20 and .30 ppm. If the reading is
low, simply turn the control knob up a little; if the reading is too
high, turn the control knob down a bit.
How can I tell
if the unit is functioning?
The Control Box features a digital readout of the actual DC charge that
is being passed between the electrodes. The readout will be in
milliamps. The unit will read "OFF" when set at the lowest setting when
no ionization is taking place.
Do I need to
test for the silver ion level?
Whenever the copper ion level is correct, the silver ion level will be
in range also. The electrodes are a mix of copper and silver, so the
right proportions are always being released at the same time.
Is it
difficult to
change the electrodes?
No, not at all. All you need is a wrench and some Teflon tape. Simply
unscrew the worn electrodes (which are sealed in a cap) from the
chamber and replace with a new set. Wrap some Teflon tape around the
cap to prevent leaking.
How long will
my electrodes last?
The electrodes will last anywhere from 1 to 5 years, depending on
several factors. For example, a 50,000 gallon pool will require 5 times
the amount of ions as a 10,000 gallon pool. A pool in Maine has a
swimming pool season of only 3 months while a pool in Florida is open
year round.
How do I know
if my electrodes need cleaning or replacing?
A warning light on the control box will let you know.
How hard is it
to install the system?
The installation is very simple and can be done in under one hour in
most cases. No special tools are required. An Installation Manual
and Video are available by request.
Will the
purifier work on 110 or 220 volts?
All units leave the factory set on 220 volts. If the voltage is
110, simply change the voltage switch inside the unit. All you need is
a screwdriver and this step can be done in about two minutes.
What is the
actual electrical consumption?
Based on eight hours of operation per day, the cost of electricity
consumed by teh Clearwater R-20 Purifier would be less than 6,- Euro
per year.
Will I ever
have to shock (oxydise) my pool again?
Yes, sometimes, but don't be alarmed. Your pool is now, with our Ionizer System,
totaly desinfected, but you have to ged rid of organic components, that
people bring into the water, like body oils, suntan
lotions, hair or debris from leaves, etc. This may cause
turbidity in your pool and has to be oxidised.
There
are 3options to oxidize
(shock)
your pool, without Chlorine:
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1. Potassium
Monopersulfate (Active Oxygen) 2. UV Light (Ozone)
3. Ozone (Generated by
Corona Discharge)
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1.Potassium
Monopersulfate (Active Oxygen)
What is Potassium
Monopersulfate? Click
here
In the hot summer months, 12
gr./m3 of potassium monopersulfate may be required
once a week or after a heavy rainstorm. In the spring and fall, a once
a month
dosage may be required. This non-chlorine shock dissolves instantly and
you can
swim immediately after adding it to the pool. This oxidizer, available
through Clearwater or at any
store that sells pool supplies, simply puts oxygen in the water to get
rid of
the organic contaminants, and dissolves a bio-shield that can
build up
around algae cells preventing the copper ions from getting to the algae
and
killing it.
2. UV
Light (Ozone)
Ultraviolet
(UV) oxidation is a destruction
process that oxidizes organic contaminants in water. It works by the
adding
oxidizing agents such as ozone (O3) to the
contaminated water. An UV light (ozone) system when combined
with ionization,
will give you the closest thing possible to a "hands-free pool."
Would you like to know more
about Ultraviolet light? Click
here
3.
OZONE
(Corona Discharge)
Ozone is a
form of oxygen also known as "active
oxygen". It is a natural purifier, created by combining three oxygen
atoms
and is a strong cleaning, purifying and oxidizing agent. As it reacts
with
organics, it oxidizes unpleasant odours and kills germs, bacteria and
viruses. Ozone
does not leave behind contaminants in the water that smell, look or
taste bad;
nor does ozone leave behind potentially hazardous by-products, such as
chloramines that can irritate your eyes, dry out your skin, fade
swimwear, and
damage pool and spa or water storage equipment. In fact, unused ozone
reverts
back to life-giving oxygen.
With ozone, water is treated
up to three
thousand times faster, without undesirable by-products such as
chloramines and
bromamines (created by the use of traditional chlorine and bromine
chemicals).We sell the state of the art Corona Discharge unit in
various sizes.
Would you like to learn more
about Ozone
(Corona Discharge)? Click
here
With ozone in place, oxidizing is
automatically done!
In private pools?
This completely
chlorine-free technique allows you to do
without all poisonous chemical products, like chlorine and algaecides,
in your
own private pool.
In public pools?
In 1997, in Brooklyn,
Massachusetts, USA,
a scientific study was undertaken over a period of several months, to
document
the effectiveness of copper/silver ionization in public swimming
facilities.
The results indicated that the use of copper/silver ionization,
combined with
small amounts of chlorine, produces a far faster, longer-lasting and
more effective
level of disinfection than that seen using the traditional
chlorine-only
method, due to the incredible (and unexpected) synergetic effect of the
ionization process.
Using these techniques,
public swimming pools can
reduce
their use of chlorine by up to 80% and achieve a reduction of their
output of
toxic trihalomethanes by up to 150%. Although the use of chlorine
disinfection
still continues in
the treatment of swimming pools in Spain Germany, England etc. there
exist, in Belgium
(St.
Vieth and
Leuwen) and France,
public swimming pools which, for already more
than twenty years, have been
disinfected solely by
copper/silver ionization.
We will be delighted
to provide you with an
obligation-free
estimate for your swimming pool:
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