Limescale deposits are a widespread problem in households and industrial plants that work with water. These deposits can cause a variety of problems, including significant energy loss in the double-digit percentage range (see environmental report DEHOGA Association, 2016)In this blog post we will discuss why hexagonal water has a higher binding capacity, also called solvency, than disordered water and how this has positive effects on limescale deposition and the associated energy loss.
What are limescale deposits?
Limescale is a deposit of calcium carbonate that forms on surfaces that come into contact with hard water. Hard water contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions, which quickly combine to form calcium carbonate when in contact with air. These deposits can appear on a variety of surfaces such as pipes, heat exchangers, boilers, faucets and other appliances that carry water.
How do limescale deposits affect energy consumption?
Limescale deposits can cause significant energy losses by reducing the efficiency of appliances that use water. A thin layer of limescale deposits can reduce the heat transfer coefficient by as much as 10%, while a thicker layer can increase energy loss by more than 20%. A rule of thumb is that about 10 percent of energy is lost for every millimeter of limescale deposits. The reason for this is that limescale deposits form an insulating layer on the surface that prevents heat from being transferred efficiently. To understand why limescale deposits have such a big impact on energy consumption, we need to take a closer look at the molecular structure of calcium carbonate and its ability to bind to water.
Molecular structure of calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a compound of calcium, carbon and oxygen atoms. It is a crystalline material that occurs naturally in the form of limestone, marble and the shells of marine organisms. Calcium carbonate is very poorly soluble in water, which means it tends to precipitate and settle on surfaces.
binding ability of hexagonal water
Water is one of the most important substances on our planet and plays a crucial role in many physical and chemical processes. An interesting property of water is its ability to form ordered hexagonal structures, also known as ordered water, restructured or "hexagonal water". This structure consists of six H2O molecules arranged in a hexagon around a micronutrient particle. Light frequencies can trigger this restructuring. At the appropriate frequencies, all molecules are ordered, not just those of the water. Calcium molecules also change, becoming rounder and smaller.
Hexagonal Water and its Binding Ability
Hexagonal water is a special form of water in which six water molecules are arranged in a hexagonal structure. Ordered water has a high solvency, also called binding ability, which means that it easily binds molecules and ions of other substances. This structure is formed by the alignment of the hydrogen bonds between the water molecules. In contrast, in disordered water, the molecules are arranged randomly and have no fixed structure.The hexagonal structure of water therefore has a significantly higher bonding capacity than disordered water. This is because the hydrogen bonds between the water molecules are stronger in hexagonal water than in disordered water. This stronger bonding capacity leads to higher stability and lower entropy in hexagonal water compared to disordered water.
The consequences of increased binding in water
What is bound in the water does not precipitate, but remains dissolved in the water. Limescale leaching occurs in hexagonal water due to frequency fields to a much lesser extent than usual. Since the molecular structure of the lime has also been optimized, the limestone that still precipitates is not nearly as stubborn as in a disordered structure. This means that the lime substance is finer, more pulverized and does not stick stubbornly to surfaces. It can be wiped away without the addition of acids or chemical cleaners, or sometimes falls off on its own, for example from sieves and aerators on sanitary facilities or from shower heads.
The impact on energy consumption
This is where the circle closes. Limestone on heating coils and other heat-producing systems insulates more and more and therefore costs energy. The thicker the layer, the more energy is lost. This can be up to 20 percent. For a single-family home with heating costs of 2,500 euros per year, for example, this would be 500 euros more than was actually necessary. If the limestone layer becomes thinner, proportionally less energy is lost. Without limescale deposits, the energy loss is zero.
