THE WORLD’S BEST BATHING WATER QUALITY WITH THE LOWEST OPERATING COSTS
We are not satisfied with “good enough”. Our work is science based, where the physical and chemical aspects of chlorine compounds in water and air have been investigated, to develop components and technology that provide the best possible bathing water quality and indoor climate. Our goal is to completely remove the chlorine residual products from the bathing water and the air inside the swimming pools. We collaborate with industry, research institutions, and public authorities to gain more breadth and experience.
Hundreds of individually optimized aspects are addressed in the inBlue solution, providing the perfect healthy and cost-effective system.
A BETTER OPERATING ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT
We work exclusively with the best available components. More than 30 years of experience has shown that the most expensive components are eventually the most cost-effective. We work with energy and water-saving solutions as well as facilities that are fully automated and reliable.
Our facilities require less space and require a minimum of supervision. The safety of chemicals is also an essential part of our concept, guaranteeing optimized chlorine distribution. Hydraulic CFX 3D pool models remove dead zones and lower the needed pressure to move particles to outlets.
Within hours, more than 90% of particles are removed in inBlue drum filters and wasted in the sewer in a concentrated stream.
Much less sand filtration with flocculation, or DE filtration, is necessary to remove micro particles after inBlue drum filtration. Typically, 10 to 25 percent of the total flow. Less sand or DE filters means less energy and water use, resulting in lower overall costs.
The nitrogen which originates from urine and sweat is dissolved, and will together with chlorine form chloramines also called combined chlorine. The ULTRAAQUA Multiray & PoolRay UV systems ensures that combined chlorine is destroyed, resulting in a dramatic concentration drop. UV filtration thus provides perfect control against Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
THM is formed when chlorine reacts with dissolved organics. The primary THM is chloroform which can be stripped out even in a small sidestream. The ULTRAAQUA THM stripper is designed for this specific task and halves pool THM concentration in a simple effective way.
Even with every effort possible to avoid chlorine by-products from forming, we can’t avoid it all. However, with design help from our scientists and engineers, we can help create by-product-removing ventilation systems.
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hydraulics
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filtration
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Ventilation
Step 1 OF 3 – HYDRAULICS
Deep gutters
The inBlue gutter is a pressure saving outlet, contributing to the overall low headloss in the system. It also preserves head for the gravitational drumfilter, which in combination provides maximum energy savings. The “deep gutter” has an added advantage that it can be equipped with a low suction system for air containing heavy chlorine by-products.
Step 2 OF 3 – HYDRAULICS
Center lane turbulent zone
At the center lane water collide coming from both sides. Water is upwelling spreading again on the surface that is effectively swiped in one quick movement. Skin cells will at first be located on the pool surface until they start settling towards the pool floor. So no matter if skin cells and other particles are on the pool floor or on the surface, they will be quickly transported to filtration. Sand and other heavy dirt that can’t be transported by the current has to be mechanically removed by hand or by an automatic pool cleaner from the center lane. The current is not strong enough to affect competition swimmers.
Step 3 OF 3 – HYDRAULICS
Energy saving inlets
Special inlets save energy and transports particles effectively to side gutters. The system is designed with added purpose to the normal chlorine distribution as it generates a slow energy preserving current that swipes the floor and pool surface towards the gutter.
In traditional floor jets energy is used with little effect besides chlorine distribution
Step 1 OF 6 – filtration
Drum filter
The drum filter operates by gravitation and catches skin cells and other particles from outlet water before it reaches the balance tank. The inBlue drum filter with 5-micron efficient inBlue SUB5™ SCREEN TECHNOLOGY is the primary means of particle filtration. The drum filters effectively clean water and yield up to 95 % energy savings compared to conventional filtration methods. The main reason to use a drumfilter is to avoid particles from dissolving, transforming particles to solutes and there by becoming chlorinated byproducts. Based on batherload the drumfilter will backwash several times per hour, particles will be wasted to the sewer in very concentrated stream.
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Step 2 OF 6 – filtration
Balance tank
The inBlue Eco balance tank with permanent high water level saves a lot of energy compared to conventional balance tanks. Pumps need to lift water from the level in the balance tank to the level in the pool. Traditional balance tanks are almost empty during most of the day and night. They are located after the drum filter, so there is no need for cleaning and use coarse / hair filters before pumps.
Step 3 OF 6 – filtration
Gas stripper
The gas stripper was invented by inBlue and installed in our first system, and many after that. Our R&D realized that most of the dangerous chlorine by-products like trichloramine and chloroform is gasses that can be stripped out. Several internal and external science project has led to the current optimized inBlue gas stripper, which guarantees >95% Trichloramine reduction and >60% THM reduction per treated volume. It works in counter current operation with air.
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Step 4 OF 6 – filtration
Sand or D.E. filter
Most of the water can be returned direct to the pool from the ballast tank. To ensure that ultra small particles don’t accumulate over time, we recommend using the Captura sand filter and flocculation in part flow operation. We will dimension the part flow for each project based on mathematical models. The Captura filter is an automatic and open designed sand filter that operates under vacuum. Part of this process is the intelli-flock system which is another unique design by inBlue, optimized through external science projects. The Captura filter is water saving and achieves a cleaner sand bed after backwash than any other filter. It back flushes without pressure, and sludge is effectively removed by a long outside gutter. Even traditional pressure sand filters or precoat filters can be used in a small sidestream.
Step 5 OF 6 – filtration
Energy saving circulation system
Due to the effective inBlue Sub 5 screen in the drumfilter, most of the water can be directly returned to the pool, only flowing through the UV that has negligible influence on pumping energy demand. Total head from the pool and through gutter, drumfilter, balance tank, UV, tubes and 3D returns often is below one meter! No other technology on the market achieves such energy efficiency.
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Step 6 OF 6 – filtration
UV system
The ULTRAAQUA UV medium-pressure (MP) & Poolray series is optimized for disinfection and chloramine reduction in pools. The system series provides negligible combined chlorine levels while providing excellent protection against Crypto and Guardia. The cost-effective PoolRay or the advanced MultiRay combines high-grade steel qualities like Duplex and stainless 316L for excellent resistance against chlorides. An estimated 80% of the energy used is converted to heat, which boosts general water heating.
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Step 1 OF 3 – Ventilation
The danger zone
Chlorine by-products form in sand filters, precoat filters or direct in the water where chlorine skin cells, hair, body fat and cosmetic products are present. By-products in the pool can be either transported to water treatment or leave the water through the water surface. In traditional ventilation design a goal is to keep the water as quiet as possible on the water surface to avoid evaporation. That result in extreme elevated by-product concentrations on the surface, exact where our noses are during swimming. InBlue has been a front runner recommending ventilation of water surfaces in Scandinavia in 15 years based on science projects, calculations and modelling. Water surface ventilation has become the generally accepted standard.
Step 2 OF 3 – Ventilation
Fresh air
Air intake/outlet most often is designed to ensure condensation free windows and/or thermal comfort for bathing guests. In the inBlue system pool water surface ventilation is in focus removing heavy by-products from the surface. At inBlue we work with ventilation firms to ensure the best solution in each case, we offer advice based on experience and scientific air modelling. Often roof propeller ventilators is a good approach for pressing down cleaner hot air from above helping to move chlorine gasses to air outlets. The Northern Light roof HVLS fan designed by Ultraaqua and Nordicco even has upwards facing integrated UV light for disinfection. Building design highly influence best ventilation approach.
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Step 3 OF 3 – Ventilation
Duct air treatment system
Chlorine byproducts form in sand/precoat filters, in the water column, on surfaces or directly in the skin. Some byproducts will end up on the water surface, consisting of heavy gasses, which needs to be ventilated or filtered out in the air. Increased focus on energy savings means less new air and more recirculation. The inBlue duct air treatment system is designed for trichloramine and chloroform destruction (THM). This product is under validation and not ready for sale.