Basics on water
Preface
Water is the most sought after ingredient in everyday life and the need for high hygiene
standards is great. It is used in various areas of life – in beverages, for preparation of meals
and drinks and for cleaning of dishes. Consumable water is essential in the preparation of
different foods. A quote from Thales von Milet states that – “water is the principle of all things
because water is everything and everything returns to the water”.
MAVEA has over 40 years of experience in water filtration. Worldwide, more than 800
employees work towards achieving perfect water quality:
• MAVEAs investment in research has enhanced the quality of water in food and beverage preparation.
• MAVEA develops optimal filter systems that improve water quality from professional coffee machines, in combination ovens and steamers, vending machines and dishwashers.
The premise for supplying water of consistently high standards is to understand the basic
principles.
MAVEA has compiled this booklet that can serve as your guide to “water”.
Contents
Challenges
page 02
Water and its contents
page 06
Development of lime
page 13
Possibilities of water treatment
page 15
Filter media in MAVEA filter systems
page 16
01
The first challenge
Scale build up due to a high amount of
carbonate hardness in the water
Disadvantages:
• longer downtimes
• higher service costs
• increased energy costs
• spots and smears on cutlery,
crockery and glasses
The target : Optimisation of mineral content in water
02
The second challenge
Lime scale does not only affect the aroma of water
but also causes unpleasant odours and off tastes
(e.g. chlorine, organic compounds)
Disadvantages:
• beverages do not taste good
• they do not look appealing
• unsatisfied customers
• unpleasant smell
03
The third challenge
Machine downtime caused by a high amount of
particles in the water
Disadvantages:
• magnetic valves do not close properly
• higher maintenance costs
• unsatisfied customers
04
The aim of water filtration
• Preventing lime scale build-up by removing / reducing the substances
that cause hard water.
• Removal of undesired odours and off tastes.
• Separation of particles in the water
All this provided by one compact filter system!
05
Contents of drinking water
Drinking water contains several components:
• Natural environmental substances, e.g. minerals
• Residues from pollution
• Substances from water treatment
These are subdivided into:
• Inorganic substances, e.g. minerals
• Organic diluted substances
• Inorganic and organic particles
• Micro organisms
06
Water components
How do the substances get into the water?
07
The different kinds of hardness in water
Sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium,
calcium, cupric, etc.
All dissolved calcium and
magnesium ions
Hydrogen carbonate, sulfates,
chlorides, phosphates, nitrates, etc.
Calcium- and magnesium hydrate
carbonates are minerals which create
lime scale upon heating
(permanent hardness) calcium and magnesium
ions that adhere to sulfate, chloride, phosphate
and other anions (except hydrogen carbonate)
08
Hardness range of water supply companies
09
Distribution of the different types of hardness
10
By-pass water
11
Definition pH-value
Values between 0 and 14 indicate
how acidic or alkaline a substance
(e.g. water) is.
A pH-value of 7 is the neutral point,
smaller values are referred to as
acidic, higher ones as alkaline.
Tap water has a pH-value from 6,5 to
9 depending on the region and local
water quality
12
How does scale develop?
• The carbonate hardness is equivalent to the dissolved magnesium and
calcium ions which are appends to HCO3
• All components in tap water are balanced, though this regulated composition
is destroyed by increase of pressure or temperature
• Heating especially builds up indissoluble compounds which form scale
(calcium hydrogen carbon becomes lime, carbon dioxide and water)
• Limescale sediments accumulate at the hottest and rawest parts of the
machine – the coating becomes thicker and thicker
13
Organic contents
Organic contents in drinking water are strictly controlled. Many
of these organic substances; for example, pesticides or solvents
have very low limits. However, small amounts may be present.
Some examples:
• Residues from pesticides, solvents, industrial products like
colours and varnishes, etc.
• Natural substances from infiltration
• Organic substances not specified
• Particles
14
Substances for treatment
Certain substances are added to treat water – for example:
• Substances for elimination of clouding - flocculation
• Substances for elimination of iron or manganese
• Chlorine for disinfection
A small quantity of chlorine is added to tap water as it is essential for
disinfection. Together with organic residues this can create unpleasant
odours and off tastes in the water.
15
Filter media in MAVEA filters
Ion exchanger
• Partial demineralisation / Full demineralisation
• Decarbonisation
• Reduction of heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc ...)
Activated carbon
• Improvement of odour and taste of drinking water
• Reduction of chlorine and chlorine compounds
• Reduction of organic impurities
• Decolourisation
Particle filtration
• Removal of particles, e.g. rust, scale
• Removal of organic particles – fluff balls
• Removal of particles in µm range
16
Definition ion exchanger
Certified food grade material which selectively removes certain dissolved
ingredients from the water.
These ingredients (e.g. calicum) are then dissolved again by the regeneration
of the MAVEA ion exchanger and thus removed.
17
Definition activated carbon
Activated carbon is a natural product and has a huge inner surface. Activated
carbon is able to absorb a great spectrum of substances.
The pore volume of activated carbon in general is bigger than 0,2 ml/g, the inner
surface bigger than 400 m2/g (2 tennis courts).
The activated carbon used by MAVEA is produced from coconut shells.
18
Definition particle filter
Water filtration particle filters are normally mechanical filtration steps to
remove particles in different ways from the water.
19
Summary
By using MAVEA filters every product becomes a top-level product –
no matter if it is a beverage, food or tableware.
Water of best quality is provided!
•
•
•
•
•
20
no disturbing raw or small particles
a well-balanced carbonate hardness
(according to the German Coffee Association)
no substances influencing odour or taste in a
negative way
sufficient concentration of minerals
no disturbing salinity
… constant quality
… provided by just one filter system!
21
PN: 2008/03
Mavea LLC
675 Tollgate Road, Suite G
USA - Elgin, Illinois 60123
phone: +1 847-429 05 10
fax: +1 847-429 05 12
email: [email protected]
www.mavea.net