Technical Service Talking Sheet

Hard Water Control Using Nucleation Assisted Crystallization (NAC)
FILTERSORB® SP3 Media

1. TECHNICAL FAILURE MODE: SCALE FORMATION

Incoming municipal hard water primarily contains calcium and magnesium bicarbonates. When exposed to heat, pressure drop, or CO₂ degassing, calcium bicarbonate decomposes into calcium carbonate scale, carbon dioxide, and water. This reaction occurs uncontrollably on heating elements, valves, probes, and tubing in untreated systems.

2. WHY SCALE DESTROYS FOODSERVICE EQUIPMENT

Calcium carbonate scale acts as a thermal insulator and mechanical restrictor. It reduces heat-transfer efficiency, increases energy use, causes flow restriction, seizes solenoids, fouls sensors, and accelerates component failure. This damage is mechanical fouling, not equipment defect.

3. NAC: CONTROLLED CRYSTALLIZATION

Nucleation Assisted Crystallization controls where calcium carbonate forms. Rather than allowing random deposition on equipment surfaces, NAC forces crystallization to occur inside a reactor vessel.

4. FILTERSORB SP3 MEDIA FUNCTION

FILTERSORB SP3 is an engineered ceramic nucleation media providing controlled crystallization sites. It contains no ion-exchange functionality, adds no sodium, and does not alter TDS or pH.

5. NAC REACTION PATHWAY

Ca(HCO3)2 → CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O

The reaction is driven in one direction by rapid CO2 removal and stable crystal formation at the media surface.

6. SCALE PREVENTION MECHANISM

Formed calcium carbonate crystals detach as sub-micron, electrically neutral particles. They remain suspended and cannot adhere to metal surfaces, even at high temperatures.

7. pH AND TDS STABILITY

Because NAC adds and removes nothing, treated water shows no change in total dissolved solids, no sodium increase, and maintains natural pH balance.

8. EXISTING SCALE REDUCTION

CO2 micro-bubbles diffuse into existing scale layers, weakening adhesion and allowing gradual removal over time without acids or corrosion.

9. BIOFOULING SUPPRESSION

CO2 micro-bubbles interfere with bacterial membranes, reducing biofilm formation. NAC is not a disinfectant but lowers biofouling risks.

10. CERTIFICATIONS

FILTERSORB SP3 is NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 & 372 certified, WRAS approved, non-toxic, and safe for direct potable water applications.

11. SERVICE-LEVEL SUMMARY

NAC controls carbonate chemistry so calcium cannot deposit as scale, protecting foodservice equipment without chemical treatment.

12. BOTTOM LINE

Hard water damage is a chemistry problem. NAC using FILTERSORB SP3 applies physical chemistry to prevent uncontrolled crystallization and protect equipment long-term.