Just the Facts

Company: Kendall Jackson Winery
Location: Soledad, California
Problem: Re-occuring scale with a plate-to-plate low pressure steam/water heat exchanger
Solution: Di-Polar water conditioning
Equipment: AQA Total 65 gpm Model 14000 DI-Polar water conditioners
Results: Clean plates with no signs of calcification build-up, and a holding of steam to hot water exchange efficincy.

 
 
Recently, two AQA total 65 gpm Model 14000 DI-Polar water conditioners were installed at the Kendall Jackson winery in Soledad, Calif. The water treatment problem previous to installation included a re-occurring scale problem with a plate-to-plate, low pressure, steam/water heat exchanger. The 36-plate heat exchanger was prone to hardness fouling and related steam efficiency losses. The heat exchanger periodically had to be taken off-line for descaling and acid treatment. Disruptive production shut downs in the winery lines were frequent and averaged every 25 to 30 days. Flow rates varied from 70 to 140 gpm. The monthly water consumption was estimated at 400,000 gallons, and the water hardness challenge is 17 grains.

Tim Bushman, president of Water Source, an Ecowater dealer in Watsonville, Calif., recommended DI-Polar water conditioning. The estimated maintenance costs for water softening would have been $1.90 per thousand gallons. The maintenance cost for the DI-Polar water conditioners were estimated at $0.70 per thousand gallons. Considering the up-front capital cost of the two technologies, it was proposed that the DI-Polar water conditioners would be cost justified within a 12 to 16 month time period when compared to water softeners, and because the technology generates no waste, it would comply with the brine discharge restriction. AQA total is the only scientifically validated non-chemical and non-salt alternative to water softening. The technology fully qualifies to state brine discharge regulations.

Immediately after the installation of the AQA total Model 14000, the general manager reported a holding of the steam to hot water exchange efficiency. This usually is a good indication of a properly functioning heat exchanger. Forty-five days into the installation the heat exchanger was taken off-line for a physical breakdown and inspection. The results confirmed that the plates were clean and showed no signs of calcification build-up. Kendall Jackson General Manager, Jeff Eikenberry, concluded, "The plates were as clean as if they were descaled yesterday. I was pleased with the improvement we had with the steam efficiencies. The equipment more than met all our expectations."

 
About the Author
Bill Herrera is director of sales/special products with Alamo Water Refiners, Inc., San Antonio, Texas. Herrera holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, and has more than 14 years of professional experience in various aspects of the water purification industry. He can be reached at (800) 659-8400, ext. 127, or email: Bill-Herrera@msn.com