Case study

    LAX Terminal 5

    Ten-month field study in the LAX Central Utility Plant chilled water system to evaluate iron removal, filtration impact, and operational outcomes.

    System
    Closed-loop chilled water
    Location
    LAX Central Utility Plant
    Duration
    10 months
    Measurement
    Flow-normalized filter mass + Fe ppm

    In short

    01 / The challenge

    Why it mattered

    The field report describes iron deposits affecting chilled water equipment and increasing cleaning needs. The project tested magnetic treatment with side-stream filtration.

    02 / Results

    Key outcomes

    Lower sampled iron
    87%
    June–December 2024 comparison
    Sampled iron, ppm
    3.9→0.51
    Later readings were higher
    Selected captured-mass tests
    +9.1%
    Study duration
    10 mo

    Source: HydroFlux field report and customer-reported iron readings. Flow, filter placement and other operating changes limit the conclusions.

    03 / Field evidence

    What we found

    Five HydroFlux bracelets installed on Terminal 5 side stream pipe at LAX
    Fig. 1 / Five HydroFlux bracelets installed on the Terminal 5 filter side stream, upstream of the bag filter.
    Iron-rich sludge captured in filter housing after HydroFlux treatment
    Fig. 2 / Iron-rich sludge captured in the filter housing. Material flocculated by the magnetic treatment and removed from the water.
    Close-up of HydroFlux magnetic link showing captured iron precipitate
    Fig. 3 / Close-up of a single magnetic link after removal, showing iron precipitate attracted and held by the magnetic field.

    04 / Methodology and impact

    Test setup

    Bracelets were installed on side-stream filtration. Filters were weighed and flow was recorded, but leg placement and conditions were unequal.

    What the study produced

    • Captured iron-rich material in side-stream filtration
    • Established site measures for iron and filter loading
    • Identified improvements for later comparison protocols

    Read the full report

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