ExtraH2O – Technical report – Extraus

Synthesis

ExtraH2O technical report

Summary of the technical report on the analyzes conducted by the company FluorIT spin off of the Milan Polytechnic

Premise

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) is one of the most abundant carbonates in sedimentary rocks of the entire earth’s surface. CaCO3 occurs in nature in 6 different forms: three anhydrous crystalline polymorphs.
Calcite, Aragonite and Vaterite, two hydrated phases and some anhydrous or hydrated amorphous forms. The three polymorphic crystal forms show well differentiated structures

Calcite (trigonal lattice)
Aragonite (Orthorhombic Lattice)
Vaterite (Hexagonal Pattern)

as such the three phases have different diffraction spectra and are therefore easily identifiable with specific investigation methods.

Analysis methodology

The identification of the different phases of calcium carbonate in sanitary water was carried out both by X-ray diffraction analysis (diffractometer) and by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Both analyzes were carried out on the fixed residue obtained with a specific procedure so as not to invalidate the analysis itself. The spectra which identify the various forms and crystallines of CaCO3 respond with different diffraction angles and therefore give clearly identifiable diagrams (as if each phase had its own imprint).

The results obtained from the different samples were compared with the spectra of the pure phases: Calcite – Aragonite – Vaterite.

This comparison was made for untreated water and for water treated with the ExtraH2O device. The analyzes were carried out under different conditions: aqueduct temperature at zero time; temperature 60°C after 36h; temperature 80°C at zero time.

Conclusions

In all the samples analysed, the treatment of water with ExtraH2O certainly increases the content of amorphous forms and the presence of possible hydrated forms (highlighted in particular by infrared analyses).
Under these conditions there is an increase in the solubility of calcium carbonate in water with a relative decrease in the formation of crystals and accumulations of fixed residue.
The disappearance of Calcite and the formation of Aragonite is clear at temperatures around 60°C. As described in scientific literature, in the analysis conducted after 36h at 60°C the Aragonite should have been transformed into calcite (more stable polymorph) but this transformation did not occur thanks to the treatment of the water with ExtraH2O.
By reaching a temperature of 80°C and analyzing the water in zero time, the system prevents the formation of stable Calcite crystals, leaving only hydrated amorphous forms of the various crystals, avoiding precipitation and rapid accumulations of calcareous concretions. According to the literature, the water will tend to reform calcite after a certain period of time. At these temperatures, therefore, the effect of ExtraH2O is temporary.

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The innovative technology of PEFs for the microbial inactivation of foods

The present work concerns the application of an innovative system for microbial inactivation, by means of pulsed electric fields (PEF).

The use of PEFs, documented by analyzes of previous experiences and by sector literature, suggest that the technique is effective in breaking down the bacterial population of liquid foods.

The innovative technology of PEFs for the microbial inactivation of foods

Results

We started by analyzing the untreated water. In Figure 1 we can see how and in the untreated water sample at aqueduct temperature (black line) there is an identifying peak of Calcite (for comparison with the red line, reference pure Calcite) which identifies this crystalline form as the prevalent one.

ExtraH2O fig. 1

In Figure 2 it can be seen how in the same water subjected to treatment with the ExtraH2O device, the identifying peak of Calcite disappears in favor of a “hump” without a specific peak. In general all the identifying peaks of a crystallization disappear. This testifies that Calcite crystals have not formed but on the contrary there is a non-crystallized hydrated amorphous form.

If we then compare the two samples of treated (orange line) and untreated (black line) water in Figure 3, the phenomenon of non-crystallization is clearly visible. CaCO3 has no way to aggregate into any of its stable crystalline forms.

ExtraH2O fig. 2-3

The sample of water treated with ExtraH2O left for 36 h at a temperature of 60°C (Fig.4) shows the clear presence of Aragonite in crystalline form. The spectrum of the sample (fuchsia line) is perfectly superimposable on that of pure Aragonite (blue line). As is also reported in the literature at 60°C the most stable phase of CaCO3 is Aragonite in the total absence of crystalline Calcite.

ExtraH2O fig. 4

In Figure 5 we can compare the untreated sample at room temperature (black line) and the treated one brought to 80°C (purple line). From the graph it is evident that all the peaks have reduced, testifying to the fact that stable Calcite crystals cannot be formed.

ExtraH2O fig. 5

ExtraH2O_tabella

Waiver for the use of the ExtraH2O device Extraus SA, the holder of the patented ExtraH2O device, wishes to clarify and emphasize the following regarding the use of the aforementioned device and the information provided by the company:
1. The information and content related to water treatment using the ExtraH2O device, found on the website www.extraus.it, in print materials, newsletters, and all company communications, should be understood exclusively as advice and suggestions based on laboratory usage experience and must be considered as such.
2. These guidelines are not intended and should not in any way be interpreted as exhaustive in relation to the quality of drinking water, its availability, and the guarantee of its quality, which are clearly the responsibility of the officially appointed authorities.
Furthermore, we clarify that the responsibility for health information belongs exclusively to national entities, such as the Ministry of Health, and international entities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), as they are the only entitled entities.
3. Extraus SA reiterates that the ExtraH2O device is not a medical device and that the information provided by the company does not replace the instructions of the competent authorities mentioned above, which must be consulted in case of any legitimate doubt about the quality of the water supplied.
4. Extraus SA specifies that the presence of any bacteria, microorganisms, and organic substances such as algae and molds (which its products might eliminate) in drinking water is never to be considered the responsibility of the entities in charge of drinking water distribution, but rather due to other random factors. Moreover, Extraus SA does not consider drinking water supplied by the responsible entities to be potentially harmful to human health in any way.
In consideration of the above, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Extraus SA from any legal dispute, claim, damage, loss, liability, cost, or expense, including, without limitation, attorney fees and legal expenses, arising from or related to:
4.1 improper use of the ExtraH2O device
4.2 failure to consult the competent authorities before undertaking any action based on the information provided by Extraus SA
4.3 any behavior or practice resulting from or connected to the evaluations expressed in Extraus SA communications.
The user acknowledges and agrees that the use of the ExtraH2O device and the information provided by Extraus SA is at their sole risk and that Extraus assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from improper use of the device.

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