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Cleaner New Construction Water Systems: How Aquaguard 810 Cleans and Protects New Construction Heating and Chilled Closed Loops
At a glance
The new heating and chilled loop systems in this 60-storey tower in Calgary were cleaned and protected with closed loop water treatment products, Aquaguard FC3 and 810. Compared to conventional cleaning and treatment, Guardian Chemicals process reduced water use, improved system cleanliness, and prevented corrosion during the pre-operational period.
Key metrics
PREVENTED
EARLY SYSTEM CORROSION
REDUCED
WATER USE BY 1,250,000 L
SAVED
120 MANPOWER HOURS AND $8,725 IN LABOUR AND WATER COSTS
Why new closed loops corrode before the building opens
Heating and chilled water loops in a new building are flushed, filled and pressure tested long before occupancy. Then they often sit still for weeks or months while construction continues.
Two things work against the system in that time. Large volumes of cold, oxygen-rich flush water start corrosion. And many conventional treatments need circulation to protect metal, so they do little while the loop is stagnant. The result can be iron-stained water and sludge-filled filters before the building ever runs.
This 60-storey Calgary tower needed its new loops cleaned and protected through the pre-operational period, with less water used for flushing.
Challenges
New construction heating and chilled closed loops are flushed, filled, and often left stagnant for weeks or months during construction and commissioning. High volumes of cold water used in flushing cause corrosion. Traditional water treatments with Molybdenum or Nitrite fail to protect the system without circulation, leading to early corrosion before the building becomes operational.
Solutions
During hydro-testing and pre-operational cleaning, Aquaguard FC3 was used at 200 parts water to 1 part product. This removed oil & grease, construction fouling, metal cuttings, and debris from the system. The system was drained, treated with Aquaguard 810 and circulated for two-weeks before being shut-in for 5 weeks.
Results
Prevented Early Corrosion: Clean, clear water in all closed loops with low dissolved iron levels and no system corrosion issues.
Reduced Water Use: Treating the closed loops in this system with Guardianโs process, saved 1,350,000 L of water. This is a 37.5% reduction over conventional cleaning and treatment processesโand a significant reduction in the environmental impact.
Labour and Water Savings: Guardianโs process reduced labour by an estimated 120 manpower hours, saving this mechanical contractor $4,200. Reduced water use, saved an additional $4,525.
Data
C1: Conventional cleaning and treatment with molybdenum-based product. Treatment circulated for 2weeks, then system shutdown for 4weeks.
C2: Closed loop system water after4 week shutdown period. Water has high iron levels and significant discolouration.
C3: Bag filters filled with oxygen induced iron sludge. Early system corrosion from lack of inhibition during stagnant period and high volumes of water flushing during rinse.
*System used for comparison purposes. These are common results for systems treated with conventional cleaning and treatment processes.
G1: Guardian cleaning with Aquaguard FC3 and treatment with Aquaguard 810. Treatment circulated for 2 weeks, then system shutdown for 4 weeks.
G2: Closed loop system water after 4 week shutdown period. Water remains clear with low dissolved iron levels.
G3: System filter after restart. Aquaguard 810 has moved any remaining dissolved iron and contaminants to the filters, leaving clean system water.
Contact us and learn how our water treatment solutions for building construction protect your systems and improve performance.
AQUAGUARD 810 is an all organic treatment composed of corrosion and scale inhibitors, dispersants and buffering agents for use in closed loop systems. It does not suffer from issues regarding waste discharge (heavy metal) or biological control (nutrient for bacteria), unlike molybdate and nitrite based treatments.
AQUAGUARD FC3 is a concentrated liquid cleaner and degreaser, specially formulated for use in new and existing heating and cooling systems. AQUAGUARD FC3 is the ideal product for the removal of oils, greases, construction fouling, metal cuttings and debris from within these systems.
Frequently asked questions
What products were used?
Aquaguard FC3 for pre-operational cleaning at 200 parts water to 1 part product, then Aquaguard 810 for corrosion protection.
How much water was saved?
1,350,000 L, a 37.5% reduction compared with conventional cleaning and treatment.
What were the labour and cost savings?
About 120 labour hours, worth $4,200 to the mechanical contractor, plus $4,525 in water savings.
What did the loop water look like after shutdown?
Clear, with low dissolved iron and no corrosion issues. Remaining iron and contaminants moved to the filters.