Frequently Asked Questions:

1. WHY DO I NEED THE ION STICK?

2. WHAT DOES THE ION STICK DO?

3. HOW DOES IT WORK?

4. WHAT IS AN ELECTROSTATIC FIELD?

5. WHAT EFFECT DOES THE ION STICK HAVE ON CORROSION?

6. DOES THE ION STICK AFFECT BACTERIA?

7. WHERE DOES THE EXISTING SCALE AND DEPOSITS GO?

8. HOW DO YOU CONTROL THE RATE OF DEPOSIT AND SCALE REMOVAL?

9. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE NECESSARY TO RID OF ACCUMULATED SUSPENDED SOLIDS?

10. IS THE ION STICK A SUBSTITUTE FOR A COMPLETE CHEMICAL WATER TREATMENT PROGRAM?

11. IS MONITORING REQUIRED UPON USING THE ION STICK?

12. WHAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHEMICAL AND AN ION STICK PROGRAM?

13. ARE THE ELECTROSTATIC EFFECTS PERMANENT?

14. HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE ION STICK IS OPERATING PROPERLY?

15. HOW MUCH ELECTRICAL ENERGY DOES THE ION STICK CONSUME?

16. IS THIS PRODUCT ELECTRICALLY SAFE?

17. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE PRODUCT IF I GET AN ELECTRICAL SURGE OR SPIKE?

18. HOW WILL IMPROPER GROUNDING AFFECT THE WATER SYSTEM?

19. IS THERE ANY DANGER IN OPERATING THE ION STICK WITHOUT WATER IN THE SYSTEM?

20. SHOULD THE ION STICK BE OPERATIONAL ONLY WHEN THE WATER SYSTEM IS CIRCULATING?

21. ARE THERE ANY INCOMPATIBILITIES WITH APPLIED WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS?

22. WHAT IS THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE ION STICK?

23. WHAT IS THE WARRANTY?

24. WHAT LIMITATIONS DOES THE ION STICK HAVE?

25. HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THE USE OF THE ION STICK?

1. WHY DO I NEED THE ION STICK?
The efficiency of heat transfer in your facility is directly related to your operating costs. Ever increasing fuel prices are elevating production costs. Optimum heat transfer in aqueous systems (i.e.: cooling towers, boilers, etc.) will minimize a major expense, thereby reducing overhead. This allows you to be more competitive in the marketplace while extending equipment life.

2. WHAT DOES THE ION STICK DO?
It inhibits the formation of scale and deposits within recirculating heat transfer water systems. Existing deposits and scale are removed as well.

3. HOW DOES IT WORK?
The ION STICK generates an electrostatic field (no current flow) at the probe site. It is the effects of this force that provides the benefits that the product has to offer.

4. WHAT IS AN ELECTROSTATIC FIELD?
It is a Beta force that provides 'free' electrons which increase the Zeta potential (in water) of the constituent that it is in contact with.

5. WHAT EFFECT DOES THE ION STICK HAVE ON CORROSION?
Most sources of water are scale forming and they are not a major threat towards corrosion in a clean environment. Underdeposit and microbiologically induced corrosion are the most damaging and prominent forms. Since the ION STICK has a cleansing effect, these forms of corrosion are curtailed. Past corrosion coupon testing has verified results to be within engineers' specifications (I.e.: N.A.C.E.) for most systems.

6. DOES THE ION STICK AFFECT BACTERIA?
Due to the cleansing effect, bacteriological fouling is controlled. The rate of control is fixed, therefore, performance is limited to these systems which experience a normal type growth pattern.

7. WHERE DOES THE EXISTING SCALE AND DEPOSITS GO?
Depending on the composition and type of deposition and/or scale, it will slough off for the most part. Some of the material may resolubilize as dissolved solids. Suspended material will collect in low flow areas, close tolerance parts, strainers, etc.

8. HOW DO YOU CONTROL THE RATE OF DEPOSIT AND SCALE REMOVAL?
Although the rate of cleaning is usually over several months, it is possible that the foulant may be removed at a faster rate than desirable. The ION STICK should be unplugged from the power source as often as necessary to maintain the required balance in the system.

9. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE NECESSARY TO RID OF ACCUMULATED SUSPENDED SOLIDS?
Filtering systems will remove the finer particulates in the recirculating water stream. Heavier particulates will need to be purged or blown down.

10. IS THE ION STICK A SUBSTITUTE FOR A COMPLETE CHEMICAL WATER TREATMENT PROGRAM?
In most recirculating water systems the ION STICK will act as an alternative to a complete chemical water treatment program. It is apt to have some limitations (particularly where there is a persistent and specific problem) which is apparent.

11. IS MONITORING REQUIRED UPON USING THE ION STICK?
Any water treatment program requires monitoring. A program using the ION STICK is no exception.

12. WHAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHEMICAL AND AN ION STICK PROGRAM?
With chemical use, the objective is to prevent the formation of precipitates whereas, the ION STICK does not inhibit precipitation. The chemical laws of solubility are not affected by the ION STICK.

13. ARE THE ELECTROSTATIC EFFECTS PERMANENT?
No, they are not. This is why the product must be installed in a recirculating section of the system. Suspended material which is permitted to accumulate indefinitely will revert to a hard deposit or scale.

14. HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE ION STICK IS OPERATING PROPERLY?
The pilot light on the power pack will be on when electricity is engaged. A high voltage meter (D.C.) can be used to test output voltage. This procedure must be carefully conducted by a qualified person.

15. HOW MUCH ELECTRICAL ENERGY DOES THE ION STICK CONSUME?
The ION STICK consumes approximately 10 watts of power. This is similar to a dim night light.

16. IS THIS PRODUCT ELECTRICALLY SAFE?
Yes. The ION STICK is approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and listed with Underwriter's Laboratories (UL).

17. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE PRODUCT IF I GET AN ELECTRICAL SURGE OR SPIKE?
This product is fuse protected. If a spike occurs, the fuse will blow. Concurrently, the pilot light will be off until the fuse is replaced.

18. HOW WILL IMPROPER GROUNDING AFFECT THE WATER SYSTEM?
Improper grounding of electrical equipment in any piping system can cause electrolysis, whether or not an ION STICK is employed. The ION STICK itself is electrically grounded and cannot be a source of stray current.

19. IS THERE ANY DANGER IN OPERATING THE ION STICK WITHOUT WATER IN THE SYSTEM?
No, but the unit may as well be unplugged since water is not being treated. There is less wear on the transformer life.

20. SHOULD THE ION STICK BE OPERATIONAL ONLY WHEN THE WATER SYSTEM IS CIRCULATING?
Although the effects of the electrostatic field will be optimum during circulation, the results will be better with the product on all the time rather than partial use.

21. ARE THERE ANY INCOMPATIBILITIES WITH APPLIED WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS?
To our knowledge, we are not aware of any incompatibility with chemical usage. Unless there is a specific problem area which necessitates specialized attention, it is counterproductive to use a complete chemical program with the ION STICK.

22. WHAT IS THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE ION STICK?
There are units which are operating after 10 years of service. The anticipated life is within 10 to 15 years.

23. WHAT IS THE WARRANTY?
The ION STICK is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase.

24. WHAT LIMITATIONS DOES THE ION STICK HAVE?
The product is limited based on the system volume, water quality, temperature pressure and system retention. A qualified dealer or distributor should be consulted for recommendations.

25. HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THE USE OF THE ION STICK?
Use of ION STICK encompass the following benefits:

• ENERGY SAVINGS - Due to cleansing action, heat transfer improves.
• CHEMICAL SAVINGS - The ION STICK will act as a substitute for a complete chemical program. In some cases, it will reduce chemical requirements. There are no containers to dispose of.
• OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COST SAVINGS - Less man-hours to administer and maintain program (i.e.: in comparison to chemical applications). On stream cleaning without additional costs. Equipment life is enhanced.
• IMPROVED IMAGE - With no adverse safety or environmental impact, administrative costs are minimized (i.e.: workman's compensation and WHMIS regulations) while forming a positive image in the public eye.