It’s cold outside

The changing of the season helps recharge snowpacks, inhibits waterborne algae growth and is celebrated by many cultures and traditions as a time to slow down, exchange gifts, appreciate family and friends as well as enjoy good spirits. When it comes to the North American water treatment industry though, cold weather brings a number of challenges and complications for people, processes and equipment.

 

Winter equipment considerations

Water temperature has a dramatic effect on the capacity and functionality of many water treatment processes and equipment. It is important to understand the influence of ambient temperature and water temperature on the effectiveness and longevity of the water quality improvement systems that you sell, install and maintain. As a covalently-bonded hydrogen compound, water behaves uniquely when temperatures drop. As it cools, water’s density tends to increase until it reaches the anomalous expansion range of 4°C – 0°C (39.2°F – 32°F), at which point its density will decrease. This unique behavior gives ice its ability to float, which prevents lakes from freezing solid and of course, allows for water to burst plumbing pipes and potentially wreak havoc on water treatment devices.

 

Membrane separators. Since water increases in density before reaching the anomalous expansion range, membrane flux in RO, nanofiltration and ultrafiltration systems will decrease significantly as water temperatures drop. Be sure to make the appropriate adjustments and compensations recommended by the equipment manufacturer to deliver the maximum amount of permeate without causing premature equipment failure.

 

Backwashing filters. Increasing water density means that less backwash flow rate is required to lift the media in a tank. Consult with your distributor about designing equipment with sufficient freeboard and appropriately sized backwash flow controls to ensure that no media is lost from the system.

 

Water softeners. Cold water slows ion exchange kinetics and increases salt dissolution times. Slow kinetics cause a significant decrease in effective system capacities, which usually causes customers to end up with hard water bleed-through, unless the dealer makes appropriate programming compensations. Naturally, systems with resin status sensors will automatically compensate for this phenomenon. Many dealers will ‘derate’ the system capacity by as much as 30 percent if it will be exposed to cold influent water in the range of 35°F -45°F.

 

Winterization procedure for water softeners

There are many opinions on how to winterize water softeners. Some dealers believe that since most softeners installed in cold climates are located in basements that they require no winterization. I believed that until I witnessed ambient temperatures in Montana basements hovering at -10F (-23°C) during January in unoccupied vacation homes. These low ambient temperatures cause fiberglass resin tank to split as if they were opened by a zipper. Not a healthy situation when things finally thaw out in spring! Winterization is normally only performed when the home/business will be unoccupied and marginally heated during winter. A simple and generally safe, effective single-tank water softener winterization procedure is as follows:

1. Initiate a manual regeneration cycle.
2. Advance manually to the brine/rinse ion exchange cycle.
3. Induce a saturated brine solution into the softener along with resin cleaner and disinfectant into the mineral tank (five gallons of brine per cubic foot of resin).
4. Bypass the system and terminate the regeneration cycle.

If the building will be unheated and piping blown-out or drained down, the following additional steps should be performed instead of bypassing the system:

5. Inject compressed air through the brine port at a maximum of 20psi until all brine has been purged from the resin tank.
6. Advance through each remaining regeneration step to allow water to drain from the control head.
7. Leave system in service (do not bypass).
8. Disconnect and remove the float from the brine tank; drain and store in a safe place.
9. Drain down or blow down the home as per normal winterization procedures.

 

Some dealers perform winterization by introducing antifreeze into the mineral tank with a pump. When using antifreeze, be careful to use only propylene glycol (food-grade) antifreeze. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is highly toxic and should never be used for winterization. Springtime startup procedures should include a rigid disinfection and rinsing protocol to provide for the health and safety of the establishment and its occupants.

 

Winter driving and work zone safety guidelines

But wait. We’re not finished with our focus on safety. Being in a work truck doesn’t automatically make you safer, in fact it usually impairs your visibility and mobility. Here are some good guidelines:

• BEFORE winter, check battery, tire tread and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, check your antifreeze and change your vehicle’s oil.
• Keep emergency supplies in the vehicle like a flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter,), folding shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, road flares, blankets, food and water.
• Practice cold weather driving in a safe area when your neighborhood gets snow and know how your vehicle handles in snowy conditions.
• Know what kind of brakes your vehicle has and how to use them properly. In general, if you have antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure. If you don’t have antilock brakes, pump the brakes gently to stop.
• Stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go if you find yourself in a skid. Stay off the pedals (gas and brake) until you are able to maintain control of your vehicle. This procedure, known as steering into the skid, will bring the back end of your car in line with the front.
• Check to see that windows and mirrors are clean of ice and debris before driving.
• Drive with your headlights on.
• Put your cellphone down!
• Keep both hands on the wheel.

When working in the field and on job sites, remember that cold weather makes your hands less sensitive and your body move more slowly. Consider the following guidelines:

• Layer your clothing. Multiple layers of light clothing allows you to adjust protection based on current temperature. Take off layers as you get too warm and put them on as it gets colder.
• Bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Dry clothing helps to keep you warm.
• Even though it’s cold out, keep hydrated by drinking water or other warm drinks. You will still lose body moisture when working, even in those cold Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• To avoid slipping on ice, wear winter boots with a strong tread. Spread sand or rock salt on the ice to provide a rough surface for footwear to grip.
• Carry winter-appropriate shoe covers to use when working inside a client’s home or business

 

Conclusion

As with all things, be sensible, thoughtful and methodical in your approach to winter so that you and your team remain safe while providing your clients with the very best water. And don’t forget to have fun!