Industries
Airports
Airport central utility plants run 10,000+ ton chilled water systems that serve millions of passengers year-round. Fine iron in those loops cuts performance and raises energy costs, and the maintenance it causes can't wait.
Field tested on the Terminal 5 filter side stream at LAX.
01 / The challenge
What makes airport plants hard to maintain
- Large central plants
- Central utility plants running 10,000+ ton systems with miles of piping that accumulate iron oxide over decades of operation.
- 24/7/365 operations
- Terminals don't close. Maintenance windows are counted in hours, and any disruption affects millions of passengers.
- Water and chemical spend
- Cooling towers and chilled water loops use large volumes of water and chemicals, and operating costs rise every year.
- Deferred maintenance backlogs
- Older plants build up maintenance backlogs. Iron fouling wears equipment faster and shortens its life.
02 / The solution
How HydroFlux helps
The bracelet clamps onto existing pipe. Its patented magnetic array aggregates fine iron so the plant's existing filters can catch it.
- No bracelet power
- Passive magnets need no electricity. Filters and pumps still need their normal utilities and maintenance.
- Installs on suitable pipe
- The bracelet can go on while the loop runs. We review any pipe preparation or added equipment first.
- No chemicals added
- Works beside the approved water treatment program. The customer treatment team controls chemistry changes.
03 / LAX Terminal 5 study
Field tested at LAX Terminal 5
A 10-month field study used treated and comparison filtration legs and reported iron and captured-mass measurements with stated limits.
- Lower sampled iron
- 87%
- June–December 2024: 3.9 to 0.51 ppm
- Captured mass
- +9.1%
- Selected aggregated tests
- Study duration
- 10 mo
- LAX Terminal 5
Customer records show sampled iron at 3.9 ppm in June 2024 and 0.51 ppm in December, with higher readings later. Selected filter comparisons recorded 9.1% more captured material per 1,000 gallons with treatment.
04 / Applications
Where it fits in airport infrastructure
- 01
Terminal HVAC systems
Large terminal chilled water loops serving passenger areas, concourses, and gate operations across multiple buildings.
- 02
Central utility plants
Main plant infrastructure with side-stream filtration systems handling 10,000+ ton cooling loads.
- 03
Cooling towers
Open evaporative systems where makeup water brings in iron and scale needs managing.
- 04
Airside facilities
Hangars, maintenance facilities, and ground support buildings with independent HVAC loops.
05 / Key stats
Key figures
- Lower sampled iron
- 87%
- LAX, June–December 2024; later readings were higher
- Captured mass
- +9.1%
- Selected aggregated tests
- Field study
- 10 mo
- LAX Terminal 5
- Bracelet power
- 0
- Passive magnetic treatment
06 / Validation
What we measure on-site
Every deployment has a measurement plan. We set a baseline, track the same measures over time and report the results with their limits.
- 01Filter mass captured per volume filtered (g / 1,000 gal)
- 02Differential pressure trend across filtration
- 03Iron concentration trend via lab sampling
- 04Maintenance events related to fouling (work orders / cleanings)
- 05Approved site-specific secondary measures
- 06System energy performance baseline comparison
07 / Questions
Common questions
Does HydroFlux require a system shutdown for installation at an airport?
Usually not. On suitable existing pipe, HydroFlux clamps on with no drain-down, pipe cutting or shutdown, so the plant keeps running. Some sites need pipe preparation first.
What did the LAX study show?
Customer records show sampled iron at 3.9 ppm in June 2024 and 0.51 ppm in December, with higher readings later. Selected filter comparisons recorded 9.1% more captured material per gallon with treatment. Unequal flow, filter placement and other operating changes limit the conclusions.
Does HydroFlux replace chemical water treatment programs?
No. HydroFlux adds no chemicals and works alongside the approved water treatment and corrosion-control program.
How long does a HydroFlux installation take at an airport?
Timing depends on access, pipe preparation and any added equipment. We agree on the installation schedule with the site team after reviewing those needs.
What airport water systems can HydroFlux treat?
HydroFlux can be deployed on terminal chilled water loops, central utility plant side-stream filtration, cooling towers, and airside facility HVAC systems.
Discuss your system
Tell us which loop has the iron problem and what filtration it has. We agree the baseline measures before anyone talks about savings.