REALice Vortex Water Treatment for the ice making process / using cold water to flood the ice and...

SWICH SERVICES INC - Canadian Technology Transfer Partner REALice | Copyright 2014SWICH SERVICES INC - Canadian Technology Transfer Partner REALice | Copyright 2014

Fortis BC Large scale Ice Rink Resurfacing Efficiency Pilot

Inspired by nature 3 D printed

verified & tested

Introduction to the Vortex Process Technology technology with substantial benefits for the ice resurfacing process

SWICH SERVICES INC - Canadian Technology Transfer Partner REALice | Copyright 2014

The REALice system is used in Canada, EU & the US to reduce both gas & electric usage in ice rinks & improve ice quality

The Industrial Vortex Technology (IVG) is also being used for Reduced Water and Chemical usage for Cooling Towers, Water savings in Aquaculture and Irrigation, and Industrial separation/mixing/waste water


Inspired by nature

Watreco AB Industrial Vortex Generator (IVG) patents based on Vortex Process Technology (VPT)

Industrial Vortex Flow Technology


1.) Removal of air bubbles:


The sucked-in fluid will be efficiently mixed with the spinning medium in the chamber. Examples: mixing water with air or other gases

With low enough pressure along the vortex axis, cavities (microscopic bubbles) form in the medium. These bubbles rapidly implode, producing shock wave and an extreme release of heat within a small volume, as they move into high pressure zones.

3.) Cavitation

2.) Mixing: Gases or liquids can be sucked into the vortex chamber.

Air bubbles in water pulled into the low-pressure zone

Vortex Flow Phenomena


Vortex Process Technology Degassing Demonstration



Study done in 2010 and 2011 by the Polymer Technology Group Eindhoven BV, an independent research and knowledge institute which is part of the Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

A) Viscosity decreased

Einstein proved in 1905, gas bubble content affects the viscosity of water. As bubbles (undissolved gases) are removed, a decrease in viscosity can therefore be expected

D) No change in surface tension observed even though viscosity has been reduced.

The difference between 3% &17%, depending on water quality & temperature.

Vortex Process Technology changed the melting behaviour of ice

Due to either changes in viscosity or a change in the properties of charged particles and/or ions in the water

B) Heat capacity: + 5% for ice and + 3% for liquid water

C) Electrical conductivity: +3%

Properties of Vortex Treated Water


Laser Sintered Polyamide PA2200

Temperature resistance: 110°C

Pressure resistance 98.1bar

What is it Made of?

Warranty 5 years - Life expectancy 10 years plus

3D Printed in Sweden

No moving parts - maintenance free!


Key benefit: Cold/ambient temperature water can be used to resurface the ice & brine temperature set higher up 4°F – 8°F!

= we are simulating “hot water”

What does this have to do with Ice Making?Traditional ice resurfacing process

involves pre-heating the resurfacing water to remove micro air bubbles so that the water will freeze harder and stronger & improve the water flowing over the ice – i.e. hot water means a lower viscosity. Water

is typically heated from 120F – 160F, requiring a brine temperature of usually

around 16°F – 17°F

Over 300 installations in Europe & NHL Winter Classics 2011/12/14

The REALice Technology removes micro air bubbles and lowers the

viscosity through the Vortex Process Technology without heating the

resurfacing water.


= simulating “hot water”


Let’s have a closer look: Ice Rinks in General

• Used for hockey, curling, figure skating, speed skating, and basic ice skating • Operates most of the year – long occupancy times to earn revenue - ice quality is critical • Water contaminants (such as minerals, chemicals, and dissolved air) affect the freezing

temperature and quality – hardness, “snow” creation, clarity • From ASRAE 2010 Handbook: “The resurfacing water temperature affects the load and brine

required to freeze the flood water. Maintaining good water quality through proper treatment may permit the use of lower flood water temperature and less volume” <–- using cold water saves energy

• Refrigeration cools a brine solution pumped through pipes under ice grid • Brine temps usually around 16°F – 17°F – can be set higher • Typically hot water is used to resurface ice many times per day

Indoor ice rinks are some of the more energy intensive commercial building uses:




Existing Technology & Challenges

Savings for chiller and water heating are the primary focus of the REALice technology

Ice rinks are among some of the most energy intensive facilities within a community Uses include: refrigeration (both NH3 and HFC), pumps, fans, heating and lighting




Basic Ice Rink Info

Typical Ice Arena uses approx. 350,000 Gallons of hot water / year!

• Typical single pad rinks can use from 1,500 – 2,400 MWH per year • NHL sized rink 85c x 200c (17,000c) IIHF size, 98c x 196c • Usage is typically 36+ weeks/year and used on average 16hrs/day on weekends,

12 hours/ day week days • Ice resurfacing can vary from 6 to 12+ times per day depending on usage • Resurfacing typically uses water heated from 120°F -160°F • Example Water and Typical Refrigeration

Annual Volume of Water Required Weeks/YearNo. of resurfacing machines 1 No. Machines

Gallons/machine 150 Gallons/machineNo. of resurfaces per day 10 Resurface/Day

Days/Week 7 Days/WeekWeeks/Year 36 Weeks/Year

Average % of volume used per resurface 92%Calculated annual volume of water required 347,760 Gallons/Year




Basis for Savings

*ASHRAE: 2010 Refrigeration Handbook: Water quality affects energy consumption and ice quality. Water contaminants, such as minerals, organic matter, and dissolved air, can affect both the freezing temperature and the ice thickness necessary to

provide satisfactory ice conditions. Proprietary treatment systems for arena floodwater are available. When these treatments are properly applied, they reduce or eliminate the effects of contaminants and improve ice conditions and reduce energy

REALice treated water achieves the same results as if the water was heated but cold water is used instead A controlled process of hydrodynamic cavitation based on flowing the water used for resurfacing through an engineered vortex design using standard water pressure No auxiliary pumps, no reverse osmosis equipment or maintenance costs Improves water quality Removes micro-bubbles – de-gassing of air results in a decrease in viscosity from 15-20%. Lower viscosity means that the water flows more easily and has better heat transfer. When de-gassed water freezes it produces ice that is more homogenous, hard and clear* Reduces lime scale - In water treated using the system. Soluble forms of calcium such as calcium bicarbonate (CaHCO3)2 are transformed into calcite and preferentially aragonite, which do not attach to pipes, nozzles or other surfaces By using cold un-heated water operators reset brine temp up 4°F to 8°F: Saves gas and electricity produces hard, clear ice




Benefits for Ice Arenas

Additional effects & savings: • Harder, denser ice due to the de-gassing effect on the water used to make ice • Reduction of usage of dehumidifier, due to less evaporation of hot water not used • Reduced CO2 emissions, due to less usage of electricity and gas (30t - 50t)

Reduced Gas consumption for heating the water used for resurfacingNo heating is required for resurfacing water – can use ambient temperature water. No need to heat water to 120°F – 160°F for resurfacing Reduced Electric consumption by reducing compressor run time for ice systems where the brine temperature of the ice system can be revised to enhance system operation Resetting brine from 16°F to 20°F - 24°F reduces load on the chiller

Typical savings per ice rink per year (single sheet)

Gas 400 - 600 GigaJoules

Electrictiy 50,000 kWh and up

Costs $ 12'000 – $18'000 per year (depending on price paid for gas & electricity)




Ice Quality

Investigations of ice crystal structure were made at Luleå Technical University, Sweden, 2011


Installation

1-2 hours work required of a certified plumber




When is the water treated?

Apply mixing valve and potentially a back flow preventer, if needed




REALice Adoption in British Columbia

add Map of Areans

4 arenas started to use REALice outside the FortisBC pilot program already

Already 14 arenas in BC are using the REALice system and

are saving energy & cost




Testimonials

“I was a sceptic at first as it goes against all we are

taught as ice-makers using cold water only. After switching and

witnessing results first hand and listening to

user comments, I’m now convinced that this

technology is the right choice for us!”

Brad Coleman, Facility Operations Coordinator Island Savings Centre

"Our compressors are running approx. 25% less & the load on the hot water boilers is down over 50%. We estimate on the Hydro side alone over 87'000 kWh in savings during the 7 months operations

period.” Technical Director PNE, Vancouver

“Our staff and users are completely satisfied with the switch, in fact if we hadn’t told users about it they wouldn’t even have noticed the change. On top of that, we are already seeing reductions in our gas and electricity usage.” Tony Liddle, Facility Operations Coordinator Kerry Park Recreation

Over 300 installations world-wide, used in the NHL Winter Classics & endorsed by IIHF


FortisBC Large scale Ice Rink Resurfacing Efficiency Pilot


Study ResultsJune 2014


Verified average savings through FortisBC Pilot Program


Measured savings are averages, based on the data of the participating arenas & assuming average 220 day season Download the entire FortisBC pilot report

** The refrigeration energy for resurfacing measured by Fortis is only one part of the electricity savings. Additional significant electrical savings from the refrigeration plant are realized through: increase of slab temperature (approx. 20,000 kWH per 1.8°F increase) and reduced ice thickness NRCan:http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan.gc.ca/fichier/81155/2003-065_066e.pdf

Fuel Adjusted Baseline Measured savings % savings vs. adjusted baseline

Natural Gas 418 GJ/year 330 GJ/year 79%

Refrigeration Energy for resurfacing** 78,815 kWh/year 22,400 kWh/year 28%

Total 706 eGJ/year 410 eGJ/year 58%

Generally, the ice slab thickness was marginally reduced (on average by 0.25 - 0.5 inch); increase in ice temperature (on average by 3°F) was required at all sites.

Ice quality was evaluated to be acceptable to excellent. 90% of pilot participants successfully adapted their operations to the REALice vortex technology

http://www.realice.ca/fortisbc

http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan.gc.ca/fichier/81155/2003-065_066e.pdf


Significant additional electrical savings from the refrigeration plant are realized through the increase of slab temperature and reduced ice thickness as suggested by NRCan


Sask Power suggest 2% - 4% reduction in electricity usage on the refrigeration plant by raising the slab temperature by 1°F - 2°F.

Manitoba Hydro suggest that with each degree Fahrenheit that the slab temperature is raised,

the load on the ice plant is reduced by up to 2%

Source: NRCan: http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan.gc.ca/fichier/81155/2003-065_066e.pdf

Participating arenas decreased ice slab thickness on average by 0.25 - 0.5 inch & increased ice temperature on average by 3°F

http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan.gc.ca/fichier/81155/2003-065_066e.pdf




Only cold water for ice floods, down from 100°F to 55°FSlab temperature set point increased to 16.5°F up from 13°F (+3.5°F)

Performance period electricity savings of 720 kWh/day!Chart shows average kWh / day comparison 2011 - 2013 to daily consumption in 2014.

Verfified Natural Gas savings: 260 GJ

Participant internal Reports: Kerry Park Rec Center, Mill Bay, BC

Season length: 230 days




Participant internal Reports: Agrodome at the PNE, Vancouver BC

Ice System compressors have approximately 25% less run time

Hot Water Boilers have approximately 50% less run time

Community User Groups consistently have hot water for showers

Ice System Compressors and Hot Water Boilers have an increased life expectancy

Only cold water for ice floods, down from 120°F to 45°F

Slab temperature set point increased to 21°F up from 18°F (+3°F)

Verfified Natural Gas savings: 340 GJEstimated electricity savings: 80'000 kWh





Participant internal Reports: Island Savings Center, Duncan BCGas Savings:* No natural gas used to heat water for flooding * 120USG x 8 times a day @ 140°F => 50°F

Electrical:* Ice Temp raised 3°F (6% refrigeration savings/1°F) * Stronger ice - less cleans * Cold water - less heat load on compressors * Cold water - less dehumidification * Less hard water problem * Reduced number of ice cleans and increased savings

93GJ $1433 4% Compared to Baseline

Jan 06 –March 06 121,560kWh $7,517 decrease 20% below baseline

Verfified Natural Gas savings: 290 GJ Electricity savings: Estimated Savings 85,000 kWh


Only cold water for ice floods, down from 142°F to 64°FSlab temperature set point increased to 23°F up from 20°F (+3°F)




Participant internal Reports: Castlegar Complex Park

Verfified Natural Gas savings: 520 GJ Estimated electricity savings: 85'000 kWh

Only cold water for ice floods, down from 140°F to 48°F

Slab temperature set point increased to 24.5°F up from 21°F (+3.5°F)





Participant internal Reports: CN Centre Prince George

Verfified Natural Gas savings: 390 GJ Estimated electricity savings: 92'000 kWh

Only cold water for ice floods, down from 147°F to 60°F Slab temperature set point increased to 20°F up from 16.5°F (+3.5°F)

Ice thickness decrease by .5 inch


less humidity in the arena, therefore less draw on the humidifiers

less draw on the compressors and therefore extended life

reduced load on the hot water boilers - often only used for hot showers now

reduced lime scale build up due to properties of REALice treated water - especially in arenas with hard water

less ice cleans needed - less water used


Conclusion part one: Fundamental changes to operating your arena

Ice quality: equal or better…

Capital costs for REALice: $ 32,880 or Rental option, based on 12 month rental contract at $ 1,000 per month

Cost savings: $ 12'000 – $14'400 per year/rink (twin pad rink & 1 filling station - savings double, depending on rink size & price gas/hydro)

Return on Investment: approx. 2 .5 years, depending on arena

Funding sources available to decrease simple payback time

Canada-wide, the renewed Gas Tax Fund Agreement (April 1st, 2014) now includes infrastructure upgrades in recreation facilities to lower GHG emissions.

Please consult with your municipality, how to access these funds.


Return on investment & funding sources for BC


SWICH SERVICES Inc303-1210 West 8th Ave Vancouver BC V6E 3Y9

Canada

E: [email protected] free: 1.888.542.9292

www.realice.ca

Technology Transfer Partner Canada

http://www.realice.ca

Date post:	25-Jun-2015
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