Wow this is from 2009, it’s the first one I found in my search, I wonder what you think now.they may not be all bad
The name of the process is "Template Assisted Crystallization". I have a couple of these units in the field as a trial. So far, I haven't had negative feedback from any of the homeowners.
I had the same reaction when I first heard the name, and saw what it was. As water treatment guys, we're used to talking about media in cubic feet. And this stuff is measured in liters?!? I have never backed a single "alternative" water conditioner in the past. I think that most of them, if not all, are junk science. I mean.......magnets?
So......The boss wants to look into it, and the supplier is pushing it, so I put a couple of them in on 22gpg city water. I checked back over the next few weeks, and was actually surprised by the results. The water spots that I did see wiped away easily. The homeowners have expressed satisfaction with the results they've seen.
The Idea in a nutshell is that the charged calcium ions in your water, which are constantly looking for a surface to attach to, are instead combined into organized crystal structures. This basically means that the calcium ions are "busy", and unable to attach to downstream surfaces.
There are other things to consider. These units are not intended to replace salt using softeners as a whole. The science hasn't been around long enough for us to know all of the facts. Water chemistry varies greatly throughout the world. Due to differing water qualities, this technology may be more effective in certain areas than in others. The media life span can't be known for sure. The 5 year figure is an estimate, and can be effected by other factors (i.e. chlorine or hydrogen sulfide). The upper limits for calcium are also debatable. Some say 25 grains, while other sources say as high as 85 grains per gallon.
This equipment is not meant for everybody. If you have had a water softener in the past, and LIKED it, this is probably not for you. For the environmentally conscious customer, it's most likely right up your alley. No electricity, no backwash, no control valve.
For me, the jury is still out on this one. I've always been the kind of person who likes to try new things, but not until I know they work. For now, I'll be careful where I install them, and wait to see how they do.
This is awkward, but...
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