Electronic Capacitor-Based System and Zeta Rod Green Technology for Eliminating Biofouling and Scale Formation in Water Systems
Electronic Water Treatment Technologies
Zeta Corporation based in Tucson, Arizona USA, designs and manufactures the patented Zeta Rod®, an electronic capacitor-based system that has been used for over a decade in a wide range of commercial and industrial settings to prevent fouling in water systems. If you drive a car, own a computer, drink bottled water, or read a newspaper, chances are a Zeta Rod was involved in the production of those products or in the management of those facilities. Originally designed to survive the tough conditions found in copper and gold mining operations, the innovative design, advanced engineering and state-of-the-art materials used to create the Zeta Rod resulted in a system of products that, for the first time, could be scaled to address very large industrial and commercial flows of water. As the Company grew, our industrial customers would ask us, "When are you going to design a system for the home?" So, we began by outfitting a few of our client's homes with our smallest systems and asked them to keep us informed about their experiences. Then, we set about to engineer a pint-sized product that could deliver big results in an economical package. The result is an easily installed, compact system with no moving parts, which replaces traditional salt-based softeners and can be relied upon to protect valuable plumbing, fixtures and appliances, while delivering benefits that enhance water quality and do no harm to the environment. Why should you choose Zeta? We decided to offer a Zeta Rod system to the home water conditioning market only after proving ourselves in the toughest industrial environments and only after establishing ourselves as a leader in the field of electronic water treatment technologies. Our products are based upon an in-depth understanding of the physics and electrochemistry of surface charge alteration and are designed to bring this expertise to the homeowner in an economical, maintenance free and chemical free product.
Zeta Corporation based in Tucson, Arizona USA, designs and manufactures the patented Zeta Rod®, an electronic capacitor-based system that has been used for over a decade in a wide range of commercial and industrial settings to prevent fouling in water systems. If you drive a car, own a computer, drink bottled water, or read a newspaper, chances are a Zeta Rod was involved in the production of those products or in the management of those facilities.
Originally designed to survive the tough conditions found in copper and gold mining operations, the innovative design, advanced engineering and state-of-the-art materials used to create the Zeta Rod resulted in a system of products that, for the first time, could be scaled to address very large industrial and commercial flows of water.
As the Company grew, our industrial customers would ask us, "When are you going to design a system for the home?" So, we began by outfitting a few of our client's homes with our smallest systems and asked them to keep us informed about their experiences. Then, we set about to engineer a pint-sized product that could deliver big results in an economical package. The result is an easily installed, compact system with no moving parts, which replaces traditional salt-based softeners and can be relied upon to protect valuable plumbing, fixtures and appliances, while delivering benefits that enhance water quality and do no harm to the environment.
Why should you choose Zeta? We decided to offer a Zeta Rod system to the home water conditioning market only after proving ourselves in the toughest industrial environments and only after establishing ourselves as a leader in the field of electronic water treatment technologies. Our products are based upon an in-depth understanding of the physics and electrochemistry of surface charge alteration and are designed to bring this expertise to the homeowner in an economical, maintenance free and chemical free product.
Electronic Deposit Control
Zeta Rod® systems work silently, behind the scenes to condition every drop of water in your home, pool and garden; and to protect valuable plumbing, water using appliances, and surfaces from the destructive effects of hard water. Zeta Rod system's green technology is patented electronic deposit control that accomplishes the goal of preventing scale and biofilms from forming by affecting the physical characteristics of water, rather than by altering its chemistry. Imagine freeing yourself from the expensive and time consuming task of maintaining an obsolete salt-based water softener-- no more bags of salt to lug around, no more equipment to take up precious space, no more guilt about flushing salt residue into the environment. In fact, salt-based water softeners are restricted or banned in many municipalities across North America. For over a decade, Zeta Rod systems have successfully improved water and energy conservation, optimized performance of industrial fluids, reduced chemical usage and eliminated scale and biological fouling in water systems. Originally developed for process protection in mining, pulp and paper, and beverage bottling, its use was expanded to reduce or eliminate chemical usage in heavy air conditioning and to protect drinking water systems for airports and municipalities. Water conservation and biological control for agriculture and food production allowed us to observe the beneficial effects that water treated with Zeta Rod has on plants. Zeta Rod systems for the home are the natural extension of the expertise Zeta Corporation has developed in the industrial and commercial arena. The U.S. and international trademarks, patents, and patents pending that we hold for the Zeta Rod and for certain applications of capacitor-based technology attest to the originality of our research.
Zeta Rod® systems work silently, behind the scenes to condition every drop of water in your home, pool and garden; and to protect valuable plumbing, water using appliances, and surfaces from the destructive effects of hard water. Zeta Rod system's green technology is patented electronic deposit control that accomplishes the goal of preventing scale and biofilms from forming by affecting the physical characteristics of water, rather than by altering its chemistry.
Imagine freeing yourself from the expensive and time consuming task of maintaining an obsolete salt-based water softener-- no more bags of salt to lug around, no more equipment to take up precious space, no more guilt about flushing salt residue into the environment. In fact, salt-based water softeners are restricted or banned in many municipalities across North America.
For over a decade, Zeta Rod systems have successfully improved water and energy conservation, optimized performance of industrial fluids, reduced chemical usage and eliminated scale and biological fouling in water systems. Originally developed for process protection in mining, pulp and paper, and beverage bottling, its use was expanded to reduce or eliminate chemical usage in heavy air conditioning and to protect drinking water systems for airports and municipalities. Water conservation and biological control for agriculture and food production allowed us to observe the beneficial effects that water treated with Zeta Rod has on plants.
Zeta Rod systems for the home are the natural extension of the expertise Zeta Corporation has developed in the industrial and commercial arena. The U.S. and international trademarks, patents, and patents pending that we hold for the Zeta Rod and for certain applications of capacitor-based technology attest to the originality of our research.
Zeta Rod System's Green Technology
Zeta Rod systems patented capacitor-based technology electronically disperses bacteria and mineral colloids in aqueous systems, eliminating biofouling and scale formation without the use of additive chemicals. Zeta Rod systems designed specifically for residential applications consist of a ceramic electrode energized by a power supply that converts 12 volts DC to 30,000 volts DC. When the Zeta Rod and chamber are plumbed into the incoming water piping, the rod and grounding surfaces provided by the pipes and chamber form the parameters for the capacitor. A 12 volt power adapter plug converts household AC power to 12 volts DC and plugs into the power supply. Bacteria and scale forming colloids in the water are included as components of the capacitor and receive a strong boost to their natural surface charge. Having become elevated in charge, the particles repel one another and remain in stable suspension, rather than uniting to form scale or colonizing to form biofilm or other system fouling. Bacteria are unable to attach, absorb nutrition or replicate into colonies. Existing biofilm hydrates excessively, loses bonding strength and disperses. Biofilm, bio-corrosion and scale formation are arrested.
Zeta Rod systems patented capacitor-based technology electronically disperses bacteria and mineral colloids in aqueous systems, eliminating biofouling and scale formation without the use of additive chemicals.
Zeta Rod systems designed specifically for residential applications consist of a ceramic electrode energized by a power supply that converts 12 volts DC to 30,000 volts DC. When the Zeta Rod and chamber are plumbed into the incoming water piping, the rod and grounding surfaces provided by the pipes and chamber form the parameters for the capacitor. A 12 volt power adapter plug converts household AC power to 12 volts DC and plugs into the power supply.
Bacteria and scale forming colloids in the water are included as components of the capacitor and receive a strong boost to their natural surface charge. Having become elevated in charge, the particles repel one another and remain in stable suspension, rather than uniting to form scale or colonizing to form biofilm or other system fouling. Bacteria are unable to attach, absorb nutrition or replicate into colonies. Existing biofilm hydrates excessively, loses bonding strength and disperses. Biofilm, bio-corrosion and scale formation are arrested.
Zeta Rod Products
Zeta Rod® systems for residential applications are designed to be installed on the main water line at any convenient location after the piping has entered the home. Two model sizes shown here will accommodate most residential applications. The appropriate system will be determined by your incoming pipe size and flow rate. A powder coated stainless steel chamber is designed to be plumbed directly into a section of the piping, where it will provide the insertion point for the Zeta Rod. The Zeta Rod and power supply are pre-wired and sealed for safety and ease of installation. Simply fit the Zeta Rod into the chamber and mount the power supply on a nearby wall. The safe UL listed 12V power adapter plugs into any standard outlet. Product Line:- ZRS MFR18: Designed for one inch piping, 18 gpm flow rate Chamber:304 Stainless Steel, powdercoat1" female NPT inlet/outlet Zeta Rod:8" X 1/2" o.d. vitrified ceramic1" male NPT PVC fitting Power Supply:Input voltage: 12 VDCInput Watts: 5 WattsOutput voltage: 30k VDC Power Adapter Cord:Input: 120 VAC 60Hz 25WOutput: 12 VDC 1 Amp Warranty:Wetted Components - Lifetime Electronic Components-3 years ZRS MFR30: Designed for 1 1/4 inch piping, 30 gpm flow rate Chamber:304 ss, powdercoated, 6" o.d.1.25" female NPT inlet/outlet Zeta Rod:8" X 3/4" o.d. vitrified ceramic1" male NPT PVC fitting Power Supply:Input voltage: 12 VDCInput Watts: 5 WattsOutput voltage: 30k VDC Power Adapter Cord:Input: 120 VAC 60Hz 25WOutput: 12 VDC 1 Amp Warranty:Wetted Components - Lifetime Electronic Components-3 years
Zeta Rod® systems for residential applications are designed to be installed on the main water line at any convenient location after the piping has entered the home.
Two model sizes shown here will accommodate most residential applications. The appropriate system will be determined by your incoming pipe size and flow rate.
A powder coated stainless steel chamber is designed to be plumbed directly into a section of the piping, where it will provide the insertion point for the Zeta Rod.
The Zeta Rod and power supply are pre-wired and sealed for safety and ease of installation. Simply fit the Zeta Rod into the chamber and mount the power supply on a nearby wall. The safe UL listed 12V power adapter plugs into any standard outlet.
ZRS MFR18:
Designed for one inch piping, 18 gpm flow rate
Chamber:304 Stainless Steel, powdercoat1" female NPT inlet/outlet
Zeta Rod:8" X 1/2" o.d. vitrified ceramic1" male NPT PVC fitting
Power Supply:Input voltage: 12 VDCInput Watts: 5 WattsOutput voltage: 30k VDC
Power Adapter Cord:Input: 120 VAC 60Hz 25WOutput: 12 VDC 1 Amp
Warranty:Wetted Components - Lifetime Electronic Components-3 years
ZRS MFR30:
Designed for 1 1/4 inch piping, 30 gpm flow rate Chamber:304 ss, powdercoated, 6" o.d.1.25" female NPT inlet/outlet
Zeta Rod:8" X 3/4" o.d. vitrified ceramic1" male NPT PVC fitting
Zeta Rod Features & Benefits
Zeta Rod Has the Following Features & Benefits Point-of-entry patented electronic water conditioning for the entire home, pool and garden is accomplished by installing the Zeta Rod into the main water line as it enters the home. The Zeta Rod is designed to fit into standard piping and plumbing layouts. Unlike traditional salt-based water softeners, the Zeta Rod takes up minimal space. The electronics are designed to be wall mounted and out of the way and there are no heavy bags of salt or large tanks to take up floor space. Because the Zeta Rod functions as a capacitor, power consumption is almost too low to measure. Cost to operate: about two cents a day. The Zeta Rod system is delivered as a kit with all components pre-assembled for easy installation. The system is powered by a UL listed 12-volt regulated AC/DC converter for safety and long life. The Zeta Rod system is maintenance-free and works continuously 24/7, whether water is running or not. Once installed, just plug it in. No more lugging bags of salt or flushing filters. All Zeta Rod systems are IAPMO certified and listed, meeting Uniform Plumbing Code and ANSI/NSF part 61 standards for Drinking Water Systems - Health Effects. Fresher, cleaner tasting water results from elimination of bio-films on pipe and vessel walls. Because there are no added salts or chemicals, water retains its natural mineral balances. Zeta Rod systems electronically conditioned water feels naturally refreshing, without the slippery feel of chemically softened water, making it ideal for bath and shower. Shower nozzles, pipes and drains remain free of scale build-up. Expensive plumbing fixtures are protected from corrosion and maintain their new appearance and finish. Laundry comes out cleaner and brighter, with less detergent. Zeta Rod conditioned water is ideal for house and garden plants. Because water that is conditioned with a Zeta Rod is reduced in surface tension, the water is "wetter" and soaks into the soil more thoroughly, rather than beading on the surface. This allows for greater penetration of water to the root zone, reducing water waste and allowing for better uptake.
Zeta Rod Has the Following Features & Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Zeta Rod® System and is it affordable? The Zeta Rod® green technology offers a highly economical and environmentally sound method of water conditioning that uses the physical and electrochemical effects of electrostatic fields to disperse bacteria and nano-crystals that form biofilm and scale. A Zeta Rod system will normally pay for itself in chemical savings, water conservation and maintenance over a period of months rather than years. Why the name Zeta? Zeta Corporation borrows its namesake from the term zeta potential, which is simply defined as the measurement of electrokinetic forces that cause suspended colloidal particles to repel each other. By increasing the zeta potential of suspended colloidal particles in fluids, they remain in suspension, rather than uniting to form scale or biological deposits. Visualize all the suspended particles in your water, each with its own force field. The Zeta Rod strengthens that field, causing particles to repel each other. How does a Zeta Rod system work? The Zeta Rod forms a capacitor involving the sub-colloidal particles within the water, the piping, and the vessel walls. Within this capacitor, tiny particles that would otherwise become part of scale, sludge or bacterial deposits are electronically charged to the same sign. Behaving within the laws of physical chemistry, described as DLVO theory, having been charged to the same sign, they repel each other. Since the colloidal particles can’t link together or stick to the vessel walls, they pass through the system without forming harmful deposits. Are chemicals used? No chemicals, acids or other additives are required for a Zeta Rod system to create this capacitor. Will the Zeta Rod replace my water softener? Yes, the Zeta Rod replaces water softeners and eliminates the need to store salts, re-generate media, and eliminates the maintenance and space required by traditional salt-based water softeners. Because the Zeta Rod does not change the chemistry of the water, the water treated can be used for irrigation and drinking. The Zeta Rod is an ideal choice in areas where bans on salt-based softeners are in effect. Will the Zeta Rod purify my water? No, a Zeta Rod system affects the physical behavior of water without adding anything to the water or removing anything from the water. The system acts as an electronic conditioner that in effect arrests the effects of hard water without the use of salts or other chemicals. It is not a purifier, however, if purified or filtered drinking water is desired, the Zeta Rod system will keep those filters or systems from fouling, thus enhancing their performance. Does the Zeta Rod cause corrosion? No! In fact, one of the main uses for the Zeta Rod in industrial applications is for corrosion prevention. Because the Zeta Rod is a true capacitor, there is no electrical current flowing across the water. Other methods that pass actual electrical current through the water have the potential to cause corrosion by electrolysis. Will old deposits of scale and biofilm be removed? The bond between old deposits and the surface will be dissolved, allowing existing deposits to fall away from pipe or vessel wall surfaces. The removal process is normally gentle and occurs over a period of time. If the deposit is sufficiently thick to cause a loss of heat transfer or flow efficiency it should, if possible, be cleaned before start-up. We recommend starting with a clean system that will be kept clean by the Zeta Rod, but if this is not possible or convenient, there is no harm in installing the system on older piping. Will the Zeta Rod stop those spots from forming on my shower walls & bathroom fixtures? As water droplets evaporate, they leave their salts behind. This is simply a fact of physics. Because the Zeta Rod does not add or remove anything from the water, spots created by evaporated salts may still form. However, because the Zeta Rod reduces the surface tension of the water, the crystallization behavior of those salts is altered, greatly reducing spotting and allowing them to be easily wiped away, leaving shower walls and bathroom fixtures as shiny as when they were installed. A Zeta Rod system will allow the user to back off significantly on the amount of soap used for laundry, dish washing, etc., while at the same time improving the performance of those appliances. What will happen if there are existing deposits in my pipes? It is possible that the biofilm "glue" bonding old scale deposits to piping and tanks may lose its bonding, allowing old scale to be dislodged, rather than to dissolve slowly over time. It is also possible that some dislodged old scale deposits may become entrapped in shower heads or aerator screens in sink faucets. Simply open those screens and flush with water. Of course, new scale and biofilms are prevented from forming. Will the Zeta Rod keep my evaporative (swamp) cooler clean? Yes, the Zeta Rod has been used for many years to keep industrial and commercial evaporative cooling equipment free of scale and biofouling without the use of any chemicals. Given the low volume of water in a swamp cooler, the constant make up with fresh treated water ensures that the cooling pads remain clean, distribution tubing and nozzles won’t plug; and fan belts, motors and recirculation pumps last longer since there is no scale accumulation. Evaporated salts on the outsides of pads are easily rinsed off and in many cases allow for their use over many seasons without having to be replaced. The best part is that the swampy odors inside the home are eliminated because there is no bio-fouling of the water. Click Here To View More Questions and Answers
What is a Zeta Rod® System and is it affordable? The Zeta Rod® green technology offers a highly economical and environmentally sound method of water conditioning that uses the physical and electrochemical effects of electrostatic fields to disperse bacteria and nano-crystals that form biofilm and scale. A Zeta Rod system will normally pay for itself in chemical savings, water conservation and maintenance over a period of months rather than years.
Why the name Zeta? Zeta Corporation borrows its namesake from the term zeta potential, which is simply defined as the measurement of electrokinetic forces that cause suspended colloidal particles to repel each other. By increasing the zeta potential of suspended colloidal particles in fluids, they remain in suspension, rather than uniting to form scale or biological deposits. Visualize all the suspended particles in your water, each with its own force field. The Zeta Rod strengthens that field, causing particles to repel each other.
How does a Zeta Rod system work? The Zeta Rod forms a capacitor involving the sub-colloidal particles within the water, the piping, and the vessel walls. Within this capacitor, tiny particles that would otherwise become part of scale, sludge or bacterial deposits are electronically charged to the same sign. Behaving within the laws of physical chemistry, described as DLVO theory, having been charged to the same sign, they repel each other. Since the colloidal particles can’t link together or stick to the vessel walls, they pass through the system without forming harmful deposits.
Are chemicals used? No chemicals, acids or other additives are required for a Zeta Rod system to create this capacitor.
Will the Zeta Rod replace my water softener? Yes, the Zeta Rod replaces water softeners and eliminates the need to store salts, re-generate media, and eliminates the maintenance and space required by traditional salt-based water softeners. Because the Zeta Rod does not change the chemistry of the water, the water treated can be used for irrigation and drinking. The Zeta Rod is an ideal choice in areas where bans on salt-based softeners are in effect.
Will the Zeta Rod purify my water? No, a Zeta Rod system affects the physical behavior of water without adding anything to the water or removing anything from the water. The system acts as an electronic conditioner that in effect arrests the effects of hard water without the use of salts or other chemicals. It is not a purifier, however, if purified or filtered drinking water is desired, the Zeta Rod system will keep those filters or systems from fouling, thus enhancing their performance.
Does the Zeta Rod cause corrosion? No! In fact, one of the main uses for the Zeta Rod in industrial applications is for corrosion prevention. Because the Zeta Rod is a true capacitor, there is no electrical current flowing across the water. Other methods that pass actual electrical current through the water have the potential to cause corrosion by electrolysis.
Will old deposits of scale and biofilm be removed? The bond between old deposits and the surface will be dissolved, allowing existing deposits to fall away from pipe or vessel wall surfaces. The removal process is normally gentle and occurs over a period of time. If the deposit is sufficiently thick to cause a loss of heat transfer or flow efficiency it should, if possible, be cleaned before start-up. We recommend starting with a clean system that will be kept clean by the Zeta Rod, but if this is not possible or convenient, there is no harm in installing the system on older piping.
Will the Zeta Rod stop those spots from forming on my shower walls & bathroom fixtures? As water droplets evaporate, they leave their salts behind. This is simply a fact of physics. Because the Zeta Rod does not add or remove anything from the water, spots created by evaporated salts may still form. However, because the Zeta Rod reduces the surface tension of the water, the crystallization behavior of those salts is altered, greatly reducing spotting and allowing them to be easily wiped away, leaving shower walls and bathroom fixtures as shiny as when they were installed. A Zeta Rod system will allow the user to back off significantly on the amount of soap used for laundry, dish washing, etc., while at the same time improving the performance of those appliances.
What will happen if there are existing deposits in my pipes? It is possible that the biofilm "glue" bonding old scale deposits to piping and tanks may lose its bonding, allowing old scale to be dislodged, rather than to dissolve slowly over time. It is also possible that some dislodged old scale deposits may become entrapped in shower heads or aerator screens in sink faucets. Simply open those screens and flush with water. Of course, new scale and biofilms are prevented from forming.
Will the Zeta Rod keep my evaporative (swamp) cooler clean? Yes, the Zeta Rod has been used for many years to keep industrial and commercial evaporative cooling equipment free of scale and biofouling without the use of any chemicals. Given the low volume of water in a swamp cooler, the constant make up with fresh treated water ensures that the cooling pads remain clean, distribution tubing and nozzles won’t plug; and fan belts, motors and recirculation pumps last longer since there is no scale accumulation. Evaporated salts on the outsides of pads are easily rinsed off and in many cases allow for their use over many seasons without having to be replaced. The best part is that the swampy odors inside the home are eliminated because there is no bio-fouling of the water.
Click Here To View More Questions and Answers
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