The higher technical college for economic professions in Baden near Vienna is housed in a building where the sanitary pipes are made of galvanized pipes. Over the last few years, the internal corrosion in the pipes has increased massively, resulting in visible brown water regularly leaking from the pipes in the morning. A solution had to be found: HLA Baden opted for the AQUABION system due to its cost and hygiene benefits. AQUABION was convincing: after just a short time, it was happily noted that no more rust particles or brown water were leaking from the water pipes.
All details about the project:
- Project summary
- Object: HLA Baden, Germergasse 5, 2500 Baden, hlabaden.at
- Problem: severe corrosion in the galvanized sanitary pipes with massive brown discoloration of the water, rust particles in the strainers and first pipe bursts
- Solution: Use of AQUABION zinc sacrificial anode system (www.aquabion.at)
- Target achievement: 100% - after approx. 2 months of operation and approx. 2 months of lockdown, absolutely no rust formation visible - water completely clear, no deposits in strainers etc.
- Key system features:
- Technology: Zinc sacrificial anode system
- Function: prevents/stops internal corrosion, limescale protection, reduces the risk of germ and legionella formation
- Maintenance/operating costs: no maintenance and inspection work required, system replacement after 6 years at half price
- Low space requirement - no connection to electricity, duct required
- Overall system rating by BIG project manager: VERY GOOD
- Project manager BIG: Emmerich Woschitz, Facility Management Facility Team Lower Austria South
- Project story
The technical college for economic professions in Baden near Vienna is housed in a building where the sanitary pipes are made of galvanized pipes. One focus of the training is kitchen service, so good water quality is important for the school's ongoing operations.
Initial situation - massive corrosion problems with galvanized pipelines
Over the last few years, the internal corrosion in the galvanized pipes has increased massively, resulting in the first pipe bursts and the regular appearance of brown water leaking from the pipes in the morning and the massive accumulation of rust particles in the built-in strainers in the taps.
Decision in favor of AQUABION system due to cost and hygiene benefits
Based on a comparison of available systems on the market in terms of investment and operating costs as well as hygiene aspects, BIG decided in July 2020 to subject the AQUABION zinc sacrificial anode system(www.aquabion.at) from Rabmer to an extensive practical test, also due to the additional 100% money-back guarantee offered by Rabmer.
Rapid installation - 100% target achievement despite corona-related lockdown
In August 2020, 2 AQUABION devices were installed in parallel in the school's 3" cold water main line. The tight space conditions were an additional challenge.
In order to determine the correct mode of action of the AQUABION, i.e. to stop internal pipe corrosion, it was specified that no more rust particles or brown water should escape from the water pipes in the kitchen area in January 2021. The AQUABION requires around 2-3 months of operation to gradually flush out easily removable deposits in the pipe and form a zinc patina on the inside of the pipe, which prevents further corrosion. COVID-19 has then made this ambitious target even more stringent, as lockdown no. 2 and 3 have led to a significant reduction in the necessary operating times and an increase in downtimes.
The technical manager at HLA Baden, Mr. Sellner, was correspondingly excited on 8 February 2021, day 1 after lockdown and the semester break, when he turned the taps back on fully in the morning. However, the result completely convinced him, he could detect absolutely no discoloration of the water, no more rust particles were rinsed out and the strainers in the taps remained completely free of deposits. The AQUABION system had eliminated the existing corrosion problems in a very short time and has since actively protected the pipe system from further corrosion and future pipe bursts with the positive side effect that problematic limescale deposits in the pipe and on household appliances are also avoided and the risk of germ and legionella growth in the pipes is also significantly reduced.
- About AQUABION® lime and corrosion protection
Rabmer's AQUABION® zinc oferanode system reliably protects pipes, fittings, household appliances and production facilities against limescale and rust without the use of chemicals, electricity or magnets, while maintaining the natural drinking water quality. Particularly important for property operators are the 50% lower overall costs compared to conventional descaling and dosing systems, the elimination of maintenance work, the simple installation even in tight spaces, the reduction in the formation of germs and legionella and the preservation of the good taste of drinking water. More information about the AQUABION: www.aquabion.at
Your contact for further information:
Rabmer GreenTech, Mr. Klaus Pichler, T 07230 7213 740, klaus.pichler@rabmer.at
