FOOD SERVICE APPLICATIONS FOR HydroBlend / ScaleStick
BOOSTER HEATERS / DISH MACHINES
STEAMERS & COMBI-OVENS
ICE MACHINES
COFFEE, ESPRESSO, & HOT WATER MACHINES
ScaleStick CAPACITIES &
REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
BOOSTER HEATERS
/ DISH MACHINES
| Booster Heaters -Since booster heaters
increase water temperature to 180° F, they are very susceptible to the formation of scale
deposits on heating elements and on wetted metal surfaces. As scale forms on the elements,
it acts as an insulator and the water is not heated efficiently. In electric booster
heaters the heating elements must heat the water for longer periods to achieve desired
temperatures. The higher the temperature, the more scale will develop. When an excessive
amount of scale forms on the element, heat will not dissipate off the element quick enough
causing it to dry-fire which leads to eventual replacement. In gas booster heaters, scale
build up will reduce capacity and greatly reduce its efficiency since scale also acts as
an insulator from the heat source. Dish Machines - Dish machines spray
hot water along with chemicals to remove food from dishes. The fact that heated water is
being sprayed encourages the formation of scale. Scale build-up decreases the life and
efficiency of dish machines. As the water is being sprayed inside the machine, one can
expect that scale will form everywhere as well as causing problems from plugged nozzles to
sticking mechanical parts. |
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Note: If placing a SC-610 before the water heater, it is recommended that the water heater be drained and cleaned prior to placing the unit online. This will increase the effectiveness of the unit in the booster heater and dish machine.
When applying HydroBlend on booster heaters and dish machines, the results may vary
depending on the water hardness, alkalinity, and other water characteristics. Since
booster heaters maintain water pressure, one can expect lime scale reduction and possibly
the elimination of lime scale inside the booster heater. In dish machines where the water
is being released from pressure, expect a dramatic reduction in the amount of lime scale
formation. As HydroBlend shows some wetting agent capacity, it may help with some spotting
issues. However, spotting will relate to other factors beyond HydroBlend's control, so do
not promote HydroBlend as an anti-spotting solution.
When using HydroBlend, it is recommended that the equipment be de-limed prior to
application. This will increase the initial effectiveness of the product. Although not
visible, one must remember that the internal plumbing of the dish machine will have scale
accumulation as well. The amount of time required for the removal of this scale in the
internal distribution system by HydroBlend will vary depending on the severity of the
scale accumulation.
SERVICING
Most importantly, ensure that the product is inspected periodically to ensure that the
cartridge is being depleted and changed when empty. Upon inspection ensure that the feed
holes in the flow-thru head are not clogged. This can be checked by turning on the water
with the housing removed and ensuring that two small water streams come down from the feed
head. If one or both of the feed holes appear clogged, insert a paper clip and unclog the
feed holes. Handle the HydroBlend cartridge with care trying not to disturb the product
inside.
STEAMERS AND
COMBI-OVENS
* Steamers and Combi-ovens - Steam equipment is very susceptible to poor water quality
situations as a steamer evaporates water by driving it through a phase change. All dissolve
solids will precipitate out when the water changes state. Any sediment flowing with the
water will also have to settle within the steam generator leading to clogged orifices and
acceleration of scale formation. Scale formation plagues steam equipment more than any
other water quality issue.
There are a number of failure modes that result from scale build up:
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These factors result in:
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Most steamers and combi-ovens are considered low flow applications (average flow rate < 1.5 gpm), therefore, the ScaleStick would be the correct HydroBlend cartridge used. The ScaleStick can be utilized in a variety of different configurations depending on the application. The inlet water temperature and usage parameters will determine the type of housing used and the correct ScaleStick configuration.
| The Plain ScaleStick is slightly longer (1/8”) than the Wrap ScaleStick which accepts a carbon wrap or sediment wrap. An O-band at the top of the Plain ScaleStick is used when the ScaleStick is used by itself. The Wrap ScaleStick does not use the O-band. |  |
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Chlorine in the
water supply can contribute to corrosion in steamers and combi-ovens because when the
water is heated, mild hydrochloric acid may form. The removal of chlorine is essential in
helping prevent corrosion inside the boiler. The Carbon Block Filter Wrap effectively
removes chlorine from the water supply as well as sediment. Use of the
carbon wrap should be limited to small counter top steamers or combis and
only when space dictates a single housing, otherwise use a ScaleStick Twin
System. The Sediment Wrap is used in non-chlorinated water supplies. Sediment present in the water supply may contribute to the formation of scale and also collect and clog orifices effecting equipment performance. The Sediment Filter Wrap effectively removes sediment from the water supply. Both the Carbon Wrap and Sediment Wrap may need replacement prior to the ScaleStick needing replacement depending on the water quality. Both wraps can be removed from the ScaleStick and replaced with new wraps. |
| Steamers and Combi-ovens are either
cold water or hot water fed. Hot Water Feed Line - A high temp housing must be used (PF-10-EHT-SS). This housing is the same as the HBW housing except that the head is not a flow-thru head, it is a standard pre-filter head (you cannot see through the head). The plain ScaleStick (SS-10) is the only model intended for use in hot water fed systems. If sediment filtration is desired, a separate housing must be used with a wound sediment filter designed for hot water (SD-510 W). |
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Cold Water Feed Line - In a cold water application, the ScaleStick can be used with or without a sediment wrap or carbon wrap depending on the application.
| Low Usage - is steamer or combi-oven applications where
the equipment is used for less than 4 hours per day. If chlorine or sediment filtration is
desired, then a carbon wrap (chlorinated water) or sediment wrap (non chlorinated water)
can be used. Any standard 10” pre-filter housing can be used. The unit pictured to the right is a special By-pass Filter Housing (PF-10-BP) utilizing a valve-in-head which allows by-passing the unit to change filter without interrupting the water supply. It is pictured with a ScaleStick and Carbon Wrap. When either wrap is used, it is important that they be replaced when needed, otherwise, the ScaleStick capacity may be reduced. |
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Medium Usage - In steamer or combi-oven applications where the equipment is used for less than 6 hours per day, then either a plain ScaleStick in a single housing or a Twin ScaleStick System using a standard 10" carbon block filter (chlorinated water) or sediment filter (non-chlorinated water) should be used. Twin ScaleStick Systems allow for higher chlorine and sediment removal capacities plus added flexibility in the choice of carbon and sediment filtration. |
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High Usage - In steamer or combi-oven applications where the equipment is used for more than 6 hours per day, then either a plain ScaleStick in a single housing or a Twin ScaleStick System using a standard 20" carbon block filter (chlorinated water) or sediment filter (non-chlorinated water) should be used. Twin ScaleStick Systems allow for higher chlorine and sediment removal capacities plus added flexibility in the choice of carbon and sediment filtration. |
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ScaleStick MAINTENANCE (Steamers & Combis)
When installing or replacing filters, please make sure that the manager or operator is
aware that they should do the following:
1. Periodically change the pre-filter or wrap as they become dirty.
2. When using the PF-10-BP (valve-in-head), occasionally check to ensure
the knob is on filter and not by-pass.
3. Change the ScaleStick before the product runs out.
4. Instruct them how to change the filter, placing it on by-pass,
releasing the pressure, etc.
5. Make it clear that the product will perform better if the
steamer/combi is turned off once per day allowing it to blow down.
PRODUCT TROUBLE SHOOTING (Steamers & Combis)
The following are reasons why the product may fail to prevent scale build up.
1. The filter head is on by-pass- PF-10-BP (valve-in-head housing). If
you cannot read the knob because of where it is installed, to place on by-pass turn the
knob clockwise, to filter turn counter-clockwise. This is only a half of a turn until it
stops.
2. Sediment / Carbon Wraps are not changed. If these wraps are not
changed as needed, they will restrict water flow causing a vacuum on the ScaleStick side
which will cause the product to be drawn out faster, eventually depleting the product. At
this point the equipment is unprotected.
3. Some very high usage on boilers will prevent optimum benefits from
using HydroBlend. The steamer or combi-oven must be turned off and allowed to drain after
6 hours of operation. The equipment cannot be left on for the duration of a day. This is
most important on atmospheric boilers.
4. The ScaleStick is not changed when empty.
RECOMMENDED SELLING POINTS ON STEAMERS & COMBI-OVENS
1. Do not over-sell the product. In many cases, the ScaleStick will
prevent any scale build up from occurring, however, this is not always the case. Depending
on the type of water, usage, and equipment, the ScaleStick may decrease de-liming from 50%
to 100%. Tell the customer that it will dramatically help the situation.
2. Drill into the customer that the product will work as long as 1) The
unit is not placed on by-pass, 2) The ScaleStick cartridges are replaced as needed, and 3)
The equipment is not used all day without blow down in the case of steamers and
combi-ovens.
BOILER BLOW-DOWN REQUIREMENTS FOR STEAMERS & COMBI-OVENS
As described in the HydroBlend / ScaleStick specification sheets, this product works by
sequestering or “tying up” hardness molecules and not allowing them to form hard
scale deposits. It accomplishes this in two ways:
1) Keeping the hardness in solution as the water is heated, not allowing it to come
out of solution forming a scale deposit.
2) If the hardness comes out of solution when HydroBlend is present, it
will settle to the bottom of the heating chamber as a powder-like substance, instead of
forming scale deposits on heating surfaces.
HydroBlend's ability to hold hardness minerals in solution is dependent upon many factors,
among these are:
1) Hardness Level - the harder the water, the more hardness will
precipitate out of solution. When HydroBlend is present, this will settle to the bottom of
the tank.
2) pH Level - High pH levels (7.5 +) increase the rate that hardness
comes out of solution.
3) Temperature - the higher the temp, the more hardness will come out of
solution.
4) Pressure - The lower the pressure the more hardness will come out of
solution.
5) Equipment Type & Usage Characteristics - as in hours of
operation, type of boiler, frequency of blow down, etc.
HydroBlend's ability to control scale is put to the test when there is high hardness, high
pH, high temperature, low pressure, and high usage. This is most illustrated in
atmospheric boilers used in many steamers & combi-ovens.
Hardness is less likely to come out of solution in pressure boilers than in atmospheric
boilers. The hardness that does come out of solution in either boiler will settle to the
bottom of the chamber when HydroBlend is present. When the equipment is shut off at the
end of operation, the boiler chamber is drained of water - this is called a blow-down. At
this point, the accumulated precipitated hardness should exit the drain. The amount of
precipitated hardness and the force of the blow-down will determine if all the
precipitated hardness is removed.
In most atmospheric boilers, the blow-down is a simple gravity drain, where a drain is
opened and the water drains without pressure being applied. The force of the blow-down is
minimal. In pressure boilers, the blow-down has more force as the water is being forced
down the drain. Obviously, the pressure boiler will remove more precipitated hardness than
the atmospheric boiler during blow-down.
In atmospheric boilers there are two factors that act in favor of scale formation -1) More
hardness will come out of solution and settle to the bottom of the tank, and 2) the
blow-down is just a gravity drain. In atmospheric boilers, expect to find upon inspection
that there remains some of the precipitated hardness accumulated at the bottom of the
boiling chamber which can be usually cleaned by scooping it out. Occasionally this
precipitated hardness may clog the drain if enough of it accumulates at the bottom of the
tank. To reduce the amount of precipitated hardness at the bottom of the bottom of the
boiler in atmospheric steamers or combi-ovens, it is recommended that the equipment be
blown-down after 6 hours of operation.
In high usage environments, often the steamer or combi-oven is turned on early in the
morning and not turned off until the late evening not allowing the equipment to blow-down.
This not only prevents the precipitated hardness to be flushed out as it builds up, it
also greatly increases the rate at which the hardness comes out of solution.
As water is evaporated in the boiling chamber, it leaves behind the mineral content.
The more water is evaporated, the higher the concentration of dissolved minerals will be
found in the boiling chamber. The dissolved mineral concentration will increase as the day
progresses and eventually reach a point where the water is too saturated with minerals and
will begin to release them at an accelerated rate. The rate of hardness coming out of
solution will continue to increase unless the boiler is flushed or blown-down and new
“fresh” water is allowed to enter the boiling chamber.
This is why it is extremely important that in high usage applications where steamers or
combi-ovens are used, that the boiler is blown-down after 6 hours of operation, otherwise,
HydroBlend will not perform at maximum effectiveness. If the equipment is not blown-down
after 6 hours of operation, one can expect that eventually, even though HydroBlend is
present, that scaling will occur in the boiling chamber, albeit less scaling than if no
HydroBlend was used at all. In this case, HydroBlend would decrease the rate of scaling
dramatically, however, the end user may assume that the product does not work based on the
equipment needing de-liming.
Placing an atmospheric boiler in a high hardness area with high pH, and operating the
boiler all day without a blow-down is inviting scale to form in large amounts. HydroBlend
will help only to a point in this scenario. It must be drilled into an operator that they
MUST ALLOW THE BOILER TO BLOW-DOWN AFTER 6 HOURS OF OPERATION.
Take into account all factors when applying HydroBlend on steamers & combi-ovens,
especially when water or usage characteristics are friendly to scale formation. High
hardness, high pH, high usage, and atmospheric boilers should alert the person specifying
HydroBlend that certain steps must be taken to ensure the most scale prevention possible.
Do not promise more than the product can deliver in such cases. HydroBlend does in many
applications completely prevent scale formation as long as the product is maintained and
conditions are not extreme. However, in hard water areas where atmospheric boilers are
used, it is important to educate the operator of their responsibility to allow the boiler
to blow-down after 6 hours of operation.
HydroBlend will help prevent scale in all applications. The degree of help is dependent on
all the previously explained factors. Even in the worst case scenario, one can expect a
50% reduction in the amount of scale build-up. In order to ensure the optimum performance,
please stress to operators that boiler blow-down is a very important part in controlling
scale build-up in steamers and combi-ovens, especially in high usage applications.
In cases where the water hardness is high enough that ScaleStick results may be unsatisfactory, the use of reverse osmosis is warranted. (SFES RO-150)
ICE MACHINES
(see also AquaPrime™ Systems)
Ice is 100% water, and as much as 70% of service calls on ice machines are water quality
related. The three main water quality issues plaguing ice machines are lime scale
accumulation, chlorine, and sediment. Both cubed and flaked ice machines suffer from the
following water related problems:
* Scale accumulation on evaporator plate or auger reduces efficiency by
slowing the freezing process requiring the compressors to run longer.
* Scale accumulation causes ice to "hang up" and
"bridge" in the bin.
* Sediment and scale deposits clog distributor tubes reducing ice
harvest.
* Sediment and scale deposits affect the operation of the float valve,
circulating pump, and purge valve.
* Chlorine present in municipal supplies can cause corrosion in ice bin,
evaporator plate, auger, and cabinet.
Through proper filtration, the efficiency and life expectancy of the ice machine can be
dramatically increased. Benefits include:
* A reduction in maintenance requirements and service related costs.
* Prolonged equipment life.
* Increased ice production.
* Decreased energy use.
* Higher quality of ice produced.
HydroBlend effectively prevents scale accumulation in ice machines as well as protecting
wetted surfaces from corrosion. The HydroBlend ScaleStick is the correct choice in ice
machines applications. Due to the higher water volumes needed in ice production,
ScaleStick sediment wraps and carbon wraps should not be used - ScaleStick twin systems
should be applied.
Ice machine applications can be divided into two main categories:
Moderate Usage - 400 lb to 800 lb capacity.
High Usage - 800 lb - 2,400 lb capacity.
| Moderate Usage FA-SS-SD-TW (non chlorinated water
supply) - utilizing a standard 5 micron filter (SD-510) for sediment removal and a
ScaleStick for scale and corrosion control. |
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| High Usage FA-SS-SD20-TW (non chlorinated water supply) - utilizing a 20" 5 micron filter (SD-520) for sediment removal and a ScaleStick for scale and corrosion control. FA-SS-CB20-TW (chlorinated water supply) - utilizing a 20" Carbon Block filter (CB-20) for sediment and chlorine removal and a ScaleStick for scale and corrosion control. |
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Ensure that Carbon Block and Sediment Filters are changed as needed. Ice machines use
high water volumes and filter changes are important to correct operation. This is
especially true in Hoshizaki Ice Machines where water demand is higher than in other
makes.
COFFEE & ESPRESSO MACHINES (see also
AquaPrime™ Systems)
Ninety-eight percent (98%) of a cup of coffee is composed of water, so the quality of your
coffee is most dependent on the quality of the water. Chlorine ruins the taste of coffee.
Moreover, scale build-up on heating elements does not allow high enough water temperature
for brewing which is as important for high quality coffee. Untreated water forms lime
scale in the brewing equipment necessitating expensive descaling procedures, and/or
shortening the life of the unit.
Since most Coffee & Espresso applications are low flow, the ScaleStick with either a
Sediment Wrap or Carbon Wrap should be used. As chlorine ruins the taste of coffee, the
Carbon Wrap should be used in municipal water supplies.
In Coffee & Espresso applications, the life of the ScaleStick should be calculated in
time units as opposed to gallons. In these applications one can expect a ScaleStick to
last for a period up to six months depending on usage.
HOT WATER MACHINES
Hot water machines are basically mini water/ booster heaters used in many foodservice
applications especially where dry goods are used. For example, mashed potatoes, gravies,
refried beans etc. are often made by mixing pre-packaged dry ingredients with hot water.
The water temperature must be close to 200° F in order for the consistency of product to
be of high quality. If the heating elements are scaled in this equipment, then these
temperatures are not obtained, leading to poor quality and consistency. Often, the
foodservice operator must wait for the equipment to achieve dispensing temperature which
is not acceptable during busy time periods.
The same ScaleStick unit used in Coffee / Espresso machines are used in Hot Water Machine
applications.
ScaleStick CAPACITIES
& REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Unlike other scale prevention treatment units, the ScaleStick works effectively along a
wide range of flow rates making it ideal for many foodservice applications. However, the
wide range of applications makes it difficult to estimate the exact total water volumes
treated.
The ScaleStick specification sheet has the total water volumes treated ranging from 2,000
to 6,000 gallons. This variation in capacity may be even wider when very low (less than .5
gpm) or moderately high (2 gpm +) flow rates are encountered. The rates at which the
ScaleStick is used will depend on a variety of factors.
* Flow Rate - Feed rates of HydroBlend will vary according to the flow
rate. In slow flow applications, more HydroBlend is fed.
* Water usage frequency. The more water is turned off and on, the more
HydroBlend product is used. Less HydroBlend is used in continuous flow applications.
* Water Temperature - In hot water inlet applications, HydroBlend will
dissolve quicker than in cold water feed.
Since there are so many variances in foodservice applications, one should expect a
ScaleStick to last anywhere from 3 months to a year. In high usage scenarios, the level of
the ScaleStick should be checked once every 3 months. Once the life of the product is
determined by actual use, then a replacement schedule should be put in place. The
ScaleStick will perform well as long as it is changed once the HydroBlend is spent.
Contact SFES for proper applications.
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