Ion Exchange Resin Selection Guide

At Res-Kem, we routinely get requests to remove specific cations or anions from water. Many of then I know, but there are many I do not. The first place I always look is on the Dow website. I believe Dow has the most creative way to navigate through the numerous Dowex and Amberlite resins they have available. They use the periodic table of elements to graphically show you what standard cation, standard anion or selective ion exchange resin might work. The problem is the chart is buried within the site and if someone at Dow hadn't shown me it years ago, I never would have thought to look for it.

Clearly, this is just the beginning. You will likely need to bench test and pilot test before any equipment should be purchased.

Important Links:
The Dow Product Selection Guide Via the Periodic Table
The Res-Kem Resin Equivalency Chart.

Pentair NXT Electronics to the Rescue to a Field Customization Catastrophe

Recently, a customer called Res-Kem looking for assistance with troublesome Fleck 2900 valves at a car wash. The system was a hodge podge of "borrowed" components. There was a Fleck 2900 analog valve system 9, Autotrol 2" turbine meters, and a Autotrol 480 electronic controller. This set up was like someone putting a Ford motor, in a Chevy car, with Dodge transmission and expecting it all to work without any problems!

Solution:
Pentair NXT to the rescue! The new Pentair NXT electronics package is so adaptable we were able to economically convert the existing 2900 analog powerheads over to NXT powerheads (Res-Kem Part Number VLVFL29ULPHNXT). The conversion saved the customer from trashing otherwise perfectly operating 2900 valves and salvaged the existing 2" turbine meters. Astonishingly, the job was completed with no plumbing changes and only 1 hour of service disruption.

Most valuable tid bit:
When using Non Pentair meters, program the NXT to accept the "generic" meter. You will need to input the max meter flow rate and pulse count. BTW, Autotrol 2" turbine is 250 gpm max flow and pulse count is 14.

Stenner Quick Pro Eliminates Black Finger Nails

Have you ever tried to change a peristaltic chemical feed pump tube? Without practice it was not a simple task. Tube changes usually resulted in pinched fingers and neglected maintenance. The Stenner pump company recognized the problem and recently released the Quick Pro pump head design. The Quick Pro allows you to collapse the "pinch rollers" and simply remove and replace the new tube. This video link shows how easy a Quick Pro tube change will be.

Have an old pump? The good news is you can retro fit old style tube housings with the Quick Pro. Just order part # PMPCMPQP10_ -1 . Add your tube number in the blank space after the QP10_-1. Upgrade your next tube change with Quick Pro.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-323-1983 or email us.

2011 B2B Marketing Conference Web Site Makeover

Res-Kem's web site was used as a case study at the B2B Marketing Conference last month. At the B2B Marketing Forum 2011, Res-Kem decided to take part in what was called a "MarketingProfs Makeover" of our website so we can "Optimize Your Website To Increase Search Visibility and Attract Qualified Visitors". Marc Engelsman, of Digital Brand Expressions, went through our website, blog and analytics to show where we are performing well and where we can improve.

Overall, our site received high marks! We are proud of our web site efforts to date. I hope you have seen the value as well!

To improve our site, Marc suggested we add more pages to our site by splitting up the existing content based upon keyword research and/or adding new pages of new content. Other ideas would be to take the information currently in our equipment PDF bulletin library, vast PDF library of MSDS and product bulletins, and case studies and make separate pages with this detail as well.

From our experience, we know we need to continuously improve our website and will need to add a social media angle to our efforts. We could use your help!

Please contact me at sales@reskem.com with any suggestions you might have to improve our website.

Replacing Pentair Fleck Drive Motors or "HOW TO GET YOUR SPARK ON"

A field service person recently found that 24 volts and 120 volts don't mix. The hard way. Field service people should take great care to realize this when servicing/replacing Pentair Fleck valve drive motors commonly found on models 2750,2850,2900,3150, 3900.

Here is the golden rule: If the timer controls are Electronic (NT, NXT, XTR, SXT) the drive motors will be 24 volt. If the timer controls are analog (3200) the drive motors are 120 volt. The 24 volt motors are DC current and cylindrical in shape with a small capacitor at the end. The 120v motors are more square with a wound coil at the motor.

GlobalSpec Condensate Polisher Presentation Archive

GlobalSpec now has easier access to presentation archives from their Virtual tradeshows. Here is the presentation Kevin Preising gave at the "Industrial Processing" event in August of 2010 entitled "Reuse the energy - don't lose it!"

Why should I view the presentation?
With fuel comprising 60-70% of the operating costs of a typical steam plant, dumping high BTU steam condensate down the drain costs you money. Treating and reusing condensate with a condensate polishing system pays for itself in 12-18 months. This presentation will detail the economics of sodium cycle condensate polishers.

FYI, you may have to register with Globalspec, but it is easy and free to do so.

Condensate Polisher Shipped to a Virginia University

This past month, we have built and sent another condensate polisher to a major university in Virginia. This stainless steel system with carbon steel piping is designed to treat 175 gpm and designed to operate at 100 psig and 200 F. The system has dual ASME-code 36 inch diameter tanks. The piping is Schedule 80 carbon steel with flanged connections.
The system has stainless steel ion exchange resin traps on each vessel to protect equipment downstream from catastrophic underdrain damage.

The valves used where Bray butterfly valves with air actuators and handwheel overrides. The system used AquaMatic Controllers.

Corroding Condensate Polishers

I have written several posts about Res-Kem's reasons for manufacturing our condensate polishers in stainless steel. Here are two lessons why this is important.

What happened?
Within the past two weeks, we have been contacted by two different facilities managers who purchased sodium cycle condensate polishers from companies other than Res-Kem. The tanks on their systems are corroding through in 16-18 months!

What is the cause?
In an effort to save money on the capital cost of the condensate polishers, the ion exchange resin tanks were purchased with epoxy coated carbon steel. Slight and relatively common imperfections in the lining, coupled with the treatment of hot condensate caused rapid failure of the tanks.

While we understand and live with the same pressures everyone is under to reduce capital expenditures, the decision to use coated steel tanks will cost them much more money in a very short period of time. A stainless steel polisher will operate for many years with minimal routine maintenance.

What is the solution?
Unfortunately, these two systems cannot be salvaged. We have proposals at each of these companies for us to replace these corroding condensate polishers with two new systems fabricated completely stainless steel including the tanks, tank internals, face piping and valves.

What is the lesson?
If you want to maximize the huge energy and water treatment chemical savings a condensate polisher provides, please only buy a polishing system in stainless steel.

Tenergy Christ Acquisition Reaches Four Month Milestone

Just under four months ago, Tenergy Christ was purchased by our parent, Nalco Company, and renamed Res-Kem General Water LLC. For the most part everything has remained the same. They work out of the the same expansive building in New Britain, CT and have the same people serving you.


After we consolidated our websites, www.reskem.com, www.tenergychrist.com and www.christwater-americas.com, some confusion occurred. We might have made it unclear which location to call on our contact us page. So here is how it works:

For Tenergy Christ Equipment:
If you are looking for technical help, spare parts, equipment service, etc. for Tenergy Christ or Christ Americas equipment, call our New Britain, CT office at 877-912-5500 or 860 223 0623. E-mail or ask for Aaron Astorino, aastorino@reskemgw.com.

For Tenergy DI Service:
If you are looking for a DI tank exchange or service of DI tanks for an existing Tenergy exchange DI system, please contact Melissa Maffei at 800-323-1983. She will take care of everything. This is the one recent change after the acquisition. We want to simplify process of getting DI exchange tanks to your facility.

Remember the new number to call for DI exchange service is 800-323-1983.

I hope this is clear, if not, please contact Res-Kem at 800-323-1983 or at sales@reskem.com.

Water Quality Association Elects Denise Urbans President

We are proud to announce that Denise Urbans, General Manager of Res-Kem LLC, was elected to be the Water Quality Association's preisdent.

At this year's WQA Aquatech USA 2011 in San Antonio, Texas, the association elected Denise Urbans of Res-Kem LLC Aston, Pennsylvania, as association president.
The election took place at WQA Aquatech USA 2011 in San Antonio, Texas.

“Through our new independent studies and outreach, WQA has been raising the standards in our industry,” Denise said. “I look forward to working with our members and leadership to continue providing vital information to consumers and public policy advocates.”

Denise is a longtime leader in the industry, most recently earning the WQA Regents Award in 2010, honoring her industry contributions on the local and state level. She founded Res-Kem in 1983.