Answer Plus™ Technology White Paper

Technical & Chemical Proof of Performance
Total Hardness Scale Prevention and Removal Using FILTERSORB® CT

1. Executive Summary

Answer Plus™ is engineered to address the complete chemistry of hard water by preventing both temporary and permanent hardness scale formation through physical-chemical mechanisms. Powered by FILTERSORB® CT, a patented 50/50 combined treatment media, Answer Plus™ outperforms conventional water softeners and single-mechanism scale treatments by controlling the ionic reactions responsible for calcium carbonate, sulfate, silicate, and phosphate scale.

2. Chemistry of Hard Water and Scale Formation

Total hardness in water consists of temporary hardness (carbonate-based) and permanent hardness (non-carbonate-based). Temporary hardness is dominated by calcium and magnesium bicarbonates that precipitate as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) under heat or pressure changes. Permanent hardness originates primarily from sulfates (SO₄²⁻), silicates (SiO₂⁻), and phosphates (PO₄³⁻), which form dense, acid-resistant scales such as calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), calcium silicate, and hydroxyapatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH].

Traditional scale prevention technologies focus almost exclusively on CaCO₃. This approach fails in modern water chemistry environments where permanent hardness contributes a significant percentage of total scaling potential, leading to rapid equipment fouling and irreversible heat transfer degradation.

3. Temporary Hardness Control: SP3 Nucleation Assisted Crystallization

FILTERSORB® SP3 controls temporary hardness through Nucleation Assisted Crystallization (NAC). Negatively charged ceramic bead surfaces attract calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) cations, initiating crystal nucleation directly on the media surface.

Reaction pathway:
Ca(HCO₃)₂ → CaCO₃ (micro-crystals) + H₂O + CO₂↑

Instead of forming adherent scale, calcium carbonate precipitates as stable, sub-micron crystals that remain suspended in the water stream. These crystals lack the lattice structure required for adhesion to pipe walls, heating elements, or equipment surfaces.

4. Permanent Hardness Control: SPA Exothermic Anion Separation

Permanent hardness scale cannot be reliably controlled by nucleation alone. FILTERSORB® SPA addresses this limitation by using strongly positively charged ceramic media that selectively attract and separate anions before they can bond with calcium or magnesium.

Anions targeted include sulfates (SO₄²⁻), silicates (SiO₂⁻), and phosphates (PO₄³⁻). Through exothermic surface interactions, SPA disrupts ionic bonding pathways responsible for forming calcium sulfate, calcium silicate, and hydroxyapatite scale. This prevents the formation of hard, chemically stable deposits that resist acid cleaning.

5. FILTERSORB® CT: Chemical Proof of Total Hardness Control

FILTERSORB® CT combines SP3 and SPA in a controlled 50:50 ratio. This configuration ensures simultaneous treatment of cations and anions, addressing both temporary and permanent hardness in a single continuous process.

The combined mechanism eliminates the ionic conditions necessary for scale nucleation, growth, and adhesion. Unlike ion-exchange softeners, FILTERSORB® CT does not replace hardness ions with sodium, does not increase water corrosivity, and does not alter alkalinity or mineral balance.

6. Technical Failure of Ion-Exchange Softeners

Ion-exchange softeners remove calcium and magnesium by exchanging them with sodium ions. This process does not remove sulfates, silicates, or phosphates and often increases corrosion risk due to elevated sodium and chloride concentrations. Softened water frequently accelerates metal loss in boilers, heat exchangers, and piping systems.

7. Longevity, Stability, and Verification

FILTERSORB® CT media is chemically stable, non-soluble, and resistant to degradation. The system operates without regeneration and commonly exceeds five years of service life. Certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 confirms suitability for potable water applications.

8. Conclusion: Why Answer Plus™ Is the Technically Superior Solution

Answer Plus™ provides a chemically sound and technically complete solution to scale prevention by addressing all contributors to total hardness. Its dual-mechanism control of cations and anions eliminates both temporary and permanent scale without introducing new corrosion risks. From a chemical, mechanical, and operational standpoint, Answer Plus™ represents the most effective non-chemical scale prevention solution available today.