Demineralized Flood Water System
The process of removing minerals, salts and dissolved solids from
the flood water is known as demineralization.
Essentially, for ice making, demineralization can be accomplished
either by deionization or reverse osmosis.
cont...
Deionization (a.k.a. DI) is a chemical process in which the
dissolved solids are exchanged for hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH-)
ions to form pure water (H20). This
process was used in the past to produce water for ice making but has
seen a decline in usage and is even being removed from facilities
due to the inherent problems of : chemical (hydrochloric acid, caustic
soda) storage, handling and disposal. In addition, high operating
costs; corrosion to pipes, equipment and ice resurfacing tanks; workplace
hazardous materials legislation; code requirements (spill curbs, eye
baths, etc.) and wide swings in pH and water quality have caused many
owners, operators and designers to look for a better means to produce
demineralization flood water for their facilities.
Reverse Osmosis (i.e.: Pure Ice) is that better way.
The basic reverse osmosis (a.k.a. RO) concept is quite simple. The
supply water is forced through a semipermeable membrane, impurities
filtered out and pure water produced. Reverse osmosis will remove
over 95% of the impurities from the flood water without using dangerous
chemicals and creating problems with pipes, equipment and water quality.
Since RO water maintains some of its natural buffering ability, it
is far less aggressive to pipes, equipment, concrete and paint than
water produced through deionization. RO water also helps to reduce
scale formation in the flood water heater.
Ice rink designers can take advantage of this technology to reduce
the refrigeration load for the ice rink and the required plant capacity
(Tons, kW). Operators will notice decreased refrigeration and hot
water energy usage and improved ice conditions.
Ice Quality As a result of removing the impurities from the flood water (ASHRAE),
the Pure Ice system improves the quality of the ice:
Hockey players will enjoy the harder, faster ice.
Skaters will be pleasantly surprised with the improved ice
texture and the way figures show up more prominently.
Curlers will find that Pure Ice produces a keener ice surface
and a more durable pebble.
Rink managers will be pleased by the fact paint, lines, circles,
paper and logos are brighter and more visible due to the clarity
of the ice.
Rink operators will find that there is less snow to remove
and maintenance times are reduced.