Scientific Background: How AQUABION Works

Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. Under certain conditions these minerals can precipitate as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), forming the hard deposits commonly known as limescale. These deposits can accumulate on heating elements, pipes and equipment surfaces,
reducing efficiency and increasing maintenance requirements.

The AQUABION® system uses a passive electrogalvanic process to influence how these minerals crystallise in flowing water.

1. Galvanic principle

Inside the AQUABION device is a high-purity zinc sacrificial anode housed within a brass body. When water flows through the unit, the water itself acts as an electrolyte, creating a small electrochemical potential between the zinc anode and the surrounding metal housing.

This galvanic reaction occurs naturally and does not require electricity, chemicals, magnets or external energy.

2. Release of zinc ions (Zn²⁺)

As part of this galvanic process, very small quantities of zinc ions (Zn²⁺) are released into the flowing water.
Several studies investigate whether the presence of zinc ions released by the electrogalvanic system can influence the crystallisation behaviour of calcium carbonate, including the balance between calcite and aragonite.

Laboratory studies analysing water before and after treatment have confirmed that only small increases in zinc concentration occur, consistent with the operation of a sacrificial zinc anode.

Study reference: Impact of an Electrogalvanic System on Scaling – University of Maribor (2011)

3. Influence on calcium carbonate crystallisation

Calcium carbonate can crystallise in several structural forms, most commonly:

• Calcite – typically associated with hard, adherent scale deposits
• Aragonite – a less stable crystal form that tends to produce softer, more loosely structured particles

Scientific investigations into electrogalvanic water treatment systems have observed changes in calcium carbonate crystallisation behaviour after treatment, including the formation of aragonite structures.

Microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses in laboratory studies have confirmed the presence of aragonite crystals in scale samples formed after treatment.

View study

4. Particle behaviour in flowing systems

When calcium carbonate forms as fine suspended particles rather than strongly adhering crystals, these particles are more likely to remain suspended in the flowing water instead of attaching to pipe walls or heating surfaces.

The AQUABION device also includes internal swirl chambers which help maintain water movement around the zinc anode and support the electrogalvanic process.

5. Observations in laboratory and system studies

Independent studies and technical investigations have monitored the behaviour of treated water in laboratory tests and circulating water systems.

• Changes in calcium carbonate crystal structure
• Scale deposits observed to be more powdery
• Deposits easier to remove from surfaces

For example, university laboratory research comparing treated and untreated water found that scale formed after electrogalvanic treatment was more powdery in texture and easier to remove.

Read the research paper

Important note

The AQUABION system does not remove hardness minerals from water. Calcium and magnesium remain in the water, meaning the mineral composition
of drinking water is largely unchanged.

Instead, the system influences how calcium carbonate crystallises in flowing water systems, which may affect how deposits form within pipes,
heating systems and other equipment.

Important note on performance claims

AQUABION® does not claim that limescale will be completely eliminated in every installation.
Water chemistry, temperature, flow rates and system design can all influence how scale forms in real plumbing systems.

For this reason AQUABION describes its performance as up to 98% effective at stopping limescale, based on observations reported in laboratory studies and monitored installations.

This wording is intended to make clear that performance can vary depending on local conditions. AQUABION therefore does not guarantee that 100% of limescale formation will be prevented in all systems.