Reverse osmosis water is commonly used in many US and Canadian pro hockey arenas where it is depended upon to demineralize the water used to make the ice. This process substantially improves ice quality, allows ice rinks to be kept at slightly higher temperatures, permits thinner ice, and ultimately, saves significant money on operating costs.
Historically, the majority of UK ice arenas have used tap water to make and maintain ice. In certain regions this has met with some success, however it generally results in a sub quality sheet of ice. Untreated source water contains many minerals that are added to provide safe drinking water but are not conducive to the ice making and maintenance process. These same minerals migrate upwards and concentrate at the ice surface as a result of the freezing process. The negative effect this has on the ice surface is compounded further with each additional flood and a phenomena called 'sublimation' (where ice changes directly from a solid to a gas without first becoming a liquid). During this sublimation process more minerals are deposited on the ice surface resulting in a snowy, scaly and slow ice surface.
The Reverse Osmosis process is the most environmentally friendly method of demineralizing water. There are absolutely no chemicals and the end product is potable. The use of R.O. in the kidney dialysis process ensures that the reverse osmosis based Pure Ice is safe enough for all ice rinks. Ongoing operating costs include occasional replacement of the filters and maintaining proper salt levels in the softener.
Reverse Osmosis plant benefits include:
Unique features of Ice Tech's Pure Ice RO System:
The reverse osmosis process should not be confused with water softening or de-ionising water where only the iron content of water is removed in the filtering process.