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System Filters? The proof is in the results…. – social housing samples prove Sentinel system filter delivers
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System filters have been much in evidence for the past few years as a means of offering a 'belt and braces' type response to debris circulating in a heating system. Whilst chemical water treatment will address the bulk of the debris in a system, even after careful use of a cleaner and an inhibitor, some debris will still be circulating in the system. To ensure that this doesn't cause grief, its best to get the debris out and this can be done quite simply through the use of a system filter.
The system filters available vary massively both in technology and materials – and to be fair, in the results they achieve and the reliability with which they operate. Some system filters remove just magnetic debris. Others claim to remove magnetic and non-magnetic debris. Some are manufactured from plastic others from brass. Choosing the right filter that will last as long as the system, is a key consideration when making that choice.
Sentinel has for some time been successfully selling its System Filter, providing a solid, reliable and cost effective solution to the need to shift all types of system debris from domestic heating systems. Its popularity with housing associations and local authorities who traditionally test their purchases pretty hard, suggests that it's a reliable and cost effective solution to removing muck and 'gunge' from systems.
The Sentinel System Filter, is a compact, robust, fully sealed brass unit, that's quick and easy to fit and will last the lifetime of the system, helping to eliminate those unwanted call backs, saving you time and your customer money. The unit removes all debris, not just magnetic debris, protecting the boiler and maintaining design efficiencies. With no moving parts, it will not clog and is very easy to clean and maintain, with no magnets to remove, no need to dismantle and no valves to shut off.
The Sentinel system filter has been designed to work alongside Sentinel X800 Jetflo cleaner. X800 is a powerful, highly active cleaning agent. Its unique composition allows it to act as a penetrating dispersant under neutral pH conditions. The formula also importantly contains agents to protect metal from corrosion. Sentinel products comply with the BS7593 Code of Practice for correct water treatment in domestic systems, which states that “Filters which collect magnetite may be beneficial as part of the flushing procedure. These should be used with a chemical cleanser to mobilise the magnetite and aid its transport to the filter”.
So ideally, installers need to cleanse the system with Sentinel X800 Jetflo, then fit a Sentinel System Filter. X800 and the Sentinel System filter have been specifically designed to work together in mobilising magnetite and other forms of heating system debris, to enable its removal from the system, thereby restoring system efficiency.
There have been a number of reports in recent months emanating from social housing providers in particular, suggesting that a number of boiler heat exchangers have become blocked due to dirt particles building up between the heat exchanger plates
Two London & Quadrant Housing Association owned properties and ten owned by Enfield Homes were identified to carry out 'system cleans' using Sentinel X800 Jetflo cleaner followed by treatment with Sentinel X100 inhibitor/protector. After the clean had been undertaken in each case, Sentinel System Filters were fitted in all properties to the heating systems on the return to the boiler, to provide long term protection from, and removal of, any circulating debris – magnetic or non-magnetic, left in the system.
Between four and six weeks later, samples were taken from each of the properties, where access could be gained, from both the system water and the 'blow down' from the installed Sentinel System Filter.
Analyses of the samples are presented below:
These results clearly show the benefits of fitting a Sentinel System Filter. Although the systems were cleaned, flushed and inhibited, there still remains the potential of some level of suspended solids still remaining in the heating system.
The use of a Sentinel System Filter removes this debris effectively and will continue to remove it for as long as it is in place, resulting in a very low level of suspended solids in the re-circulating water.
So it is clear that fitting a Sentinel System Filter as part of the water treatment regime offers the permanent, on-going level of protection required by social housing providers in the heating systems in the homes they own and manage. Having the Sentinel system filter in place eliminates unwanted call backs to contractors or a providers own direct workforce, to remedy problems associated with debris in circulating water in a domestic heating system.
The Sentinel system filter is clearly a solid, reliable and cost effective response to magnetic and non-magnetic debris in a heating system. And it doesn't leak and it certainly doesn't split!
