Effects of Iron Oxide Sludge Can Now Be Virtually Eliminated
As the popularity of high-performance circulators and boilers increases, the very characteristics that are responsible for that increased level of performance are bringing a new problem to the forefront: iron oxide sludge, also called magnetite. This black sludge, an unavoidable result of oxidation inside untreated hydronic systems, is wreaking havoc in the form of expensive breakdowns and repairs. Consumers as well as contractors are looking for answers.
“Contractors know there’s a problem,” says Tom Tonkins, Director of U.S. Business Development for ADEY Professional Heating Solutions. “Since the introduction into the North American market of high-efficiency boilers and ECM pumps, both of which have narrow waterways, there has been a significant increase in pump and boiler failures. When contractors service a system, it is evident, in most cases, that iron oxide is present.”
And it is not just collecting in the system – it is causing damage. In fact, according to Neil Watson, ADEY Global Technical Director, “nearly 70 percent of circulator pumps returned to pump manufacturers fail due to iron oxide and other water quality issues. Data also show that over 95 percent of debris in hydronic heating systems is made up of iron oxide.”*
What is it about new generation high-performance equipment that makes it more susceptible to sludge? “The new ECM pumps, which have variable speed motors for higher efficiency, have magnets in them… and magnets love magnetite,” explains Tonkins. As the magnets pull iron oxide into the circulator, even very small quantities can foul the rotor mechanism. Compounding the problem are the narrower waterways that are now the standard in boilers – smaller-diameter pipes increase efficiency, but clog easily as sludge accumulates. Over time, system efficiency is dramatically reduced, operating costs increase, and expensive damage can result.
Beginning this fall, ADEY, a U.K.-based company launched in 2003, is bringing its proven solution to North America. ADEY’s MagnaClean Professional2™features a unique, patented magnetic and non-magnetic filtration system that, within minutes of installation, begins to capture and remove virtually all of the suspended iron oxide that collects in hydronic heating systems.
Designed for ¾-inch copper and 1-inch NPT iron pipework, the MagnaClean Professional2 is ideal for residential applications. The MagnaClean Professional2 is a compact unit that is easily fitted on the return pipe to the boiler/circulator, via rapid-fit connectors. It can be installed in minutes, and can be serviced even faster, due to the unit’s quick-release trigger, low-profile drain valve, and built-in air vent.
“It’s a beautifully simple device,” says Tonkins. “There are no moving parts. The inlet and outlet are shaped to force a cyclonic-like flow around the magnet, which captures the sludge.”
By removing magnetic and non-magnetic debris, MagnaClean Professional2 not only extends the operational life of the system, but also offers benefits that save money and time for installers and homeowners…
Installer benefitsCompact profile for tight spaces
Homeowner benefits
MagnaClean Professional2 is changing the way contractors work, because customers routinely blame boiler or circulator failure for the problems that are actually the result of the accumulation of system sludge and debris. As a result, contractors are forced to perform countless warranty repairs. “Contractors are saying, Enough is enough. We’re going to offer magnetic filtration technology as a solution. It’s not a big investment, so it’s an easy decision,” says Tonkins.
ADEY will begin its U.S. rollout of products in October with the MagnaClean Professional2, along with three additional filters sized for other residential and light-commercial applications. ADEY filters are a trusted solution in Europe, and have been installed in over 3 million homes there. They are part of ADEY’s Best Practice™ System Process, a multi-step routine designed to clean and protect hydronic-heating systems for maximum efficiency.
For more information on the ADEY MagnaClean Professional2, please visit: adeyusa.com.
For a video on the ADEY MagnaClean Professional2, please visit:adey.com/video and click on MagnaClean Professional2.
For more information on the full line of ADEY filters and other Best Practice System Process solutions, visit adeyusa.com. You can also telephone us at (844) 378-0442 or e-mail us.
ADEY Professional Heating Solutions is headquartered in Cheltenham, England, and has sales offices throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. U.S. operations are based in Pittsburgh, PA.
ADEY® is the industry-leading name in magnetic filtration, delivering Best Practice™ maintenance and protection for domestic and commercial hydronic heating systems. Best Practice heating system protection is a five-step process using products engineered to ensure maximum efficiency in hydronic heating systems. ADEY’s MagnaClean® filters are the best-selling brand in the U.K. with more than three million installed throughout Europe. Tens of thousands are fitted monthly, making it the leading filter for installers and homeowners. ADEY filters also help protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions. ADEY also manufactures a growing range of premium quality chemicals developed in the U.K. at ADEY’s own accredited laboratory.
For more information on ADEY and the entire line of ADEY’s magnetic filters and Best Practice solutions, please call
(844) 378-0442 or visit our website at www.adeyusa.com.
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