Choosing water treatment for FanMist

Two questions decide the treatment

Water treatment is part of every FanMist system plan. Start with two questions: how likely is the supply water to form scale inside the equipment, and would mineral residue in the plant air affect the product or process?

These are different problems. Scale can restrict nozzles, valves and lines. Air dusting is the fine mineral residue left when atomized water evaporates. A treatment that controls scale does not necessarily remove the minerals that cause dust.

Filtration and dissolved minerals

Mechanical filters catch suspended particles such as rust, sediment and pipe debris. FanMist uses a 5-micron pre-filter at the pump inlet and a small filter in each nozzle. Keep both in place as working components of the system.

Dissolved minerals pass through those particle filters. Total dissolved solids (TDS) describes their combined concentration, commonly measured in parts per million. Hardness describes calcium and magnesium content; it is related to TDS but is not the same measurement.

Compare the treatment options

IHC generally prefers reverse osmosis when both scaling and mineral dust need to be addressed. Softening or ScaleX can be considered when scale is the primary concern and the plant can accept the remaining dissolved minerals. Treatment performance and service requirements depend on the selected equipment and the incoming water.

Choose around the product and process

Paper, printing, label and electronics operations need particular attention to mineral residue on stock, coatings, components and work surfaces. IHC recommends a treatment approach that reduces dissolved minerals for these environments, usually RO.

In woodworking, furniture and cabinetry, scale may be the primary issue. Softening or ScaleX may be suitable, but review finishing, coatings, cleanliness requirements and the actual water analysis before deciding that mineral dust is acceptable. RO remains an option for controlling both concerns.

A project example: deionization with controlled blending

RO is not the only way to reduce dissolved minerals. IHC’s 2016 print-and-label project used cation and anion deionization tanks, followed by a blending valve. The treated supply was controlled at approximately 50 ppm TDS.

That arrangement balanced mineral reduction with the operating life of the DI resin. It illustrates why treatment should be specified for the installation. The 50 ppm blend is a project detail, not a universal instruction to blend untreated water into any system.

Provide enough treated water at the pump inlet

The treatment system, storage and delivery plumbing must support peak pump demand as well as daily consumption. The following values are the supply requirements listed in IHC’s October 2026 water-treatment reference; confirm them against the equipment specified for your installation.

Separate peak delivery from daily use

For example, a 2 gpm pump calls for at least 3 gpm of available inlet flow under IHC’s 1.5-times guidance. An RO membrane’s daily production rating alone does not establish that flow: the tank and delivery pump must supply it at the required pressure.

A pump delivering 1 gpm continuously for 24 hours would use 1,440 gallons. Actual daily use depends on the nozzle demand, operating hours and duty cycle. Size treatment and storage around the winter design conditions and likely operating pattern.

Put treatment ahead of the pump station

Water-treatment equipment is supplied by others and coordinated with IHC’s system requirements. Treatment belongs upstream of the pump station’s 5-micron pre-filter. For RO, include the storage tank and delivery pump in the supply design.

Have treatment installed, tested and operating before flushing and startup. Review drain routing and any proposed water-recovery connection with the treatment supplier and IHC as part of the installation plan.

Checks to build into maintenance

Before startup, confirm that the treatment equipment is operating, inlet pressure is within the specified range and filters are ready for service. Watch for white scale around fittings, recurring nozzle blockage, irregular spray and mineral residue on plant surfaces.

Follow the treatment supplier’s service schedule for membranes, filters, salt or cartridges, and record service alongside the FanMist maintenance log. Repeated clogging or pressure problems call for a review of the water supply and the system, rather than assuming that a replacement nozzle will solve the cause.

• Bring a water analysis covering TDS, hardness, pH and chlorine.
• Identify any process restrictions on mineral dust, especially near finishing or sensitive products.
• Confirm peak inlet flow and pressure, available storage and operating schedule.
• Plan access for filter changes, treatment service and draining.

Related parts

Water treatment in practice