LKC Q&A

The most important reason is because of the increased cost of fuel and water. It is becoming increasingly important to maintain scale-free equipment systems to minimize energy loss. Scale buildup on heat transfer surfaces can reduce heat transfer by 20% or more, cutting efficiency by more than 25%.

The LKC is also 100% environmentally friendly and meets all EPA requirements. The LKC System will prevent scale buildup, maintaining clean surfaces for maximum thermal transfer in heating or cooling systems.

The LKC System prevents new scale buildup and removes existing scale over a period of time in equipment such as boilers, heat exchangers, ice machines, cooling towers, and domestic water systems.

The treatment cell in the LKC System excerpts a DC flux field containing the energy required to orient the molecules or ions of scale-forming minerals which exist in a dipole condition in the fluid stream. As a result, a molecular chain is formed by connecting positive and negative charges resulting in a neutral overall charge.

As for preventive scale buildup, the result can be seen immediately. When installing the LKC System on an application containing scale, the rate of removal depends on the thickness of the scale, the hardness, the flow rate, plus other criteria. However, normally you will see results of scale removal within 30-60 days.

Infield applications, as well as laboratory tests, have proven that the LKC System is effective on all types of water, as well as other fluids. Applications range from very good quality water to an extreme condition of treating slurry at sewage treatment plants. The LKC System is even used on some solids, such as flour. The LKC System reduces the amount of static electricity in the flour, resulting in an improved movement of flour. This has also been quite a benefit in companies that produce plastic, or Styrofoam pellets. The movement of the pellets through the pipes causes static electricity. The increase of friction reduces the size of each pellet, resulting in dramatic loss over a period of time.

The greatest expenditure is actually the price of the unit itself. Ener-Tec utilizes the latest in electronic components in an effort to minimize the amount of energy required to operate the system. As an example, it has been calculated that a 3/4” O.D. Industrial LKC System will average approximately $5.00 per year in electrical charges.

Due to the fact that so many variables occur in chemical treatment, the cost is different for everyone, but in most applications if the system is being treated properly with chemicals, the customer will attain a 12-24 month payback. Ener-Tec will assist you in computing the actual payback when data pertinent to the application is submitted to Ener-Tec for evaluation (fill out our questionnaire to help determine this).

The LKC System is a revolutionary new design that eliminates screens, probes, and/or other foreign objects within the contact chamber, so there is no obstruction of flow. The electrical current is transferred through the pipe and into the fluid in the form of flux energy.

The LKC System is constructed of high-quality, solid state electronic components, which enable it to operate for a virtually indefinite amount of time. We do request, however, that periodic observation of the indicator light either on the unit itself or on the front of the control panel be made and logged. If any component in the electronic circuitry malfunctions, the red operating light or indicator light will go out.

The LKC System has been proven effective 5,000-10,000 feet downstream.

The LKC is unique among non-chemical devices because it can be matched exactly to the system on which it will be installed, e.g., if your system employs 3” water-carrying pipe, you would simply order a 3” LKC System which also uses 3” pipe. Ener-Tec does not suggest reducing pipe size under any condition since cavitation* may result.

* The rapid formation and collapse of vapor pockets in a flowing liquid in regions of a very low pressure, a frequent cause of serious structural damage to propellers, pumps, etc.

Ener-Tec maintains an inventory on all standard size systems. If, for some reason, the unit is not in stock, or if is an odd size, allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

The purchaser installs the system. Ener-Tec, Inc. pre-wires and pre-assembles the system as completely as possible in an effort to facilitate ease of installation. Detailed instructions are included with each LKC. If you need additional assistance simply contact us and we will help in any way possible.

The average installation time required is approximately one hour.

Ener-Tec recommends that all the water flow through the system in order to treat 100% of the water for any system. Some manufacturers in the past have recommended bypasses, but we have found that there is no real way to insure that you are receiving proper treatment at any point in time.

Since the construction of the LKC System does not depend on the conductivity of the water in order to operate, the flow rate in the cell is not critical. However, if no water flows through the cell for 24-36 hours, the treatment to the water, which has flowed through the LKC System, will dissipate.

Due to the unique patented construction of the LKC System, no pressure drop, other than standard pipe friction, occurs within the LKC cell. The LKC System does not restrict flow.

The piping and system will remain clean, but should be inspected for leaks upon the removal of scale. In some instances, e.g., old piping, only the scale was preventing the pipes from leaking. Ener-Tec advises that any time an LKC System is installed on an old piece of equipment, the user be aware of the fact that, once the scale is removed, the system could possibly leak. This is true in pipes, heat exchangers, boilers, or any other piece of equipment.

The Ener-Tec LKC System prevents scale buildup in the boiler. As steam leaves the boiler and travels through the steam pipes, its natural tendency is to turn acid since all solids remain in the boiler. Therefore, any oxygen scavenger and a mine solution might possibly be used as a steam line treatment. This is true regardless of whether the boiler has an LKC System installed on it or not.

The only chemical required in a cooling tower system is an algaecide to control algae buildup in cooling towers. To our knowledge, the LKC System has no effect on algae, and therefore we do not recommend discontinuing the use of algaecide.

The only limiting factor as far as pressure is concerned on the LKC System is the pressure rating on the pipe itself. Our standard units are of sufficient gauge to handle standard water pressures for industrial, commercial, residential, and municipal water supplies. If a system is required for higher-than-standard pressures, simply specify on your purchase order.

Laboratory tests show that the LKC System reduces and/or eliminates electrolysis by stabilizing the electrical charges in the fluid.

Every application that uses water can benefit from the LKC System. There are some areas of caution however. In areas such as laundries, especially commercial laundries where many white sheets and white clothes are being washed, Ener-Tec recommends that the LKC System be used in conjunction with an iron filter, if the iron content is in excess of 1 part-per-million. The unit will keep the iron in suspension, but staining of the clothes may occur if the iron filter is not used in conjunction with the LKC System. However, laundries have reported an incredible increase in savings by reducing soap usage by 30% and increases in hot water efficiency.

The LKC System may be mounted vertically, or at an angle without affecting the operation. The flow through the unit is critical, and the system will be stamped with either an arrow, or be marked “inlet and outlet" indicating the direction of flow of the liquid through the system.

The standard LKC System is manufactured to operate at temperatures at or below 2000 F. If higher temperature systems are required, please specify the temperature ratings when ordering.

There will be a slight temperature rise due to the flux energy exerted within the water stream, but it will be insignificant.

Mineral concentrations will build up over a period of time and must be bled off manually, automatically, or on a continuous bleed off once the solids reach a predetermined level. Note: This same procedure must be followed when using chemical water treatment. In fact, it should be followed with untreated water.

You are definitely not being used as a test site for the LKC. Ener-Tec, Inc. has been leading the way in non-chemical water treatment for over 20 years, and has in excess of 7,000 systems installed in the field experiencing tremendous results in a wide variety of applications. We do encourage, however, that you keep close records on your equipment’s performance and cleanliness to determine the effectiveness of the LKC System on your particular application.

When sweating in the copper LKC System, the urethane cell should be protected by wrapping a wet cloth or equivalent around the copper pipe next to the urethane cell. This serves as a heat “sink” and will dissipate the heat away from the urethane. This procedure must be followed on all sweat-in applications.

Definitely. In low temperature areas, a minimal amount of precipitation or mineral fallout normally occurs. The highest precipitation rate and excessive scale occurs when water reaches temperatures in excess of 1400 F. We have not experienced water temperature limitations with the LKC System.

Since the LKC System works off DC electromagnetic flux field, nothing is added to, or taken away from the water, therefore the system is completely nonpolluting and offers no problems as to EPA approval. Chemical treatment is very costly, under strict regulations from EPA, and being banned under certain circumstances.

When ordering an LKC System to be placed in a paint-spray booth, or other explosion-proof locations, please specify the explosion code which must be met and the LKC System will be constructed accordingly.