Hexprotect AQUA: Hexagonal floating cover

Our hollow ball floating cover: Armor Ball

LIGHT FLOATING BALL COVER FOR FLEXIBLE APPLICATIONS

AWTT INC.’s Armor Ball® floating cover systems deliver superior performance for demanding liquid storage applications across municipal and industrial sectors. Our hollow ball covers are engineered specifically for wastewater treatment facilities, metal processing operations, petrochemical plants, leachate containment systems, and raw water reservoirs where thermal management and wildlife deterrence are critical requirements.

The innovative design achieves optimal surface coverage through precise ball deployment, creating an interlocking matrix that covers up to 91% of the liquid surface. This comprehensive coverage forms a sophisticated thermal barrier that leverages both the inherent insulation properties of the trapped air within each ball and the low thermal conductivity of our specialized plastic composition. While maintaining natural ventilation through interstitial spaces, the system significantly reduces heat loss, controls light penetration, minimizes evaporative losses, and effectively manages odor emissions. These engineered benefits make Armor Ball® the preferred solution for operations demanding reliable, long-term performance in challenging industrial environments.

The Armor Ball® floating cover system offers superior operational flexibility compared to traditional cover solutions. Its dynamic design allows unimpeded access for static equipment, moving components, and dipping mechanisms, as the individual spheres automatically redistribute around obstacles while maintaining comprehensive surface coverage. This self-adjusting capability is particularly valuable in applications such as clarifiers, where the balls automatically track changing liquid levels and reconfigure around moving equipment without manual intervention.

In addition to its operational advantages, the Armor Ball® system serves as a highly effective wildlife management solution. The complete surface coverage creates an unrecognizable water signature, significantly reducing attraction for waterfowl and terrestrial wildlife. This capability has earned Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, leading to widespread adoption at airports globally for wildlife control in retention basins and treatment facilities.

Unlike conventional netting systems, the Armor Ball® cover demonstrates exceptional durability in harsh weather conditions. The robust construction withstands ice formation and snow loading without structural compromise, eliminating the need for additional support infrastructure and reducing long-term maintenance requirements.

Hexprotect AQUA hexagonal floating cover

Reinforced shell

Hexprotect AQUA are manufactured using high density polyethelene sourced from top tiers manufacturers. The thickness of the shell is between 40% and 120% thicket than competitor's products.

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Armor® Ball: wind resistant floating hexagonal cover

  • NQuick and simple to install
  • NMaintenance free
  • NResist high winds over 75 MPH*
  • NUnaffected by rain water, snow or frost
  • NBlock sunlight and eliminate algae
  • NEach tile is made of long lasting, UV resistant, virgin HDPE
  • NHeating cost reduced by up to 85%
  • NDecrease liquid loss through evaporation by up to 95%
  • NAdjusts to variation of the liquid level by spreading & stacking
  • NMuch lower maintenance than traditional geomembrane floating cover
  • NResist high winds over 75 MPH*
  • N95-99% coverage insures large reduction of emissions.
  • NRainwater flow to the pond underneath, without the use of pumps or other complicated devices
  • NAllow for moving and dipping equipment to be installed
  • NCannot tear like conventional membrane cover
  • NAeration can be installed underneath the Hexprotect ™ system to ensure aerobic conditions are maintained.
  • NReduce chemical consumption

Technical specifications

Armor® Balls are made of virgin or recycled, high density polyethylene HDPE (FDA (3) and NSF approved HDPE resins available for special applications). The cover is pre ballasted, increasing its weight more than 260%, making it suitable for high wind applications. Furthermore, the proprietary features and manufacturing process ensures the cover floats with slightly more than 50% of its shell above water. Compared to other shade ball covers, the Armor® Ball cover is more durable and offers improved wind resistance. Installation remains extremely simple, and simply consists of unloading the product directly onto the liquid.

Description Water ballasted hexagonal tile
Construction 100% HDPE shell
Diameter 100 mm
Average total weight (dry) 50g
Average total weight (installed) 50g
Number per sq. ft 10
Number per square meter 108
Wind resistant (up to) (1) 120 km/h (75 MPH)
Operating temperature range (1) -50˚C / + 80 ˚C
Projected Life Expectancy 25+ years
Shell Material High Density Blow Molding polyethylene
Melt Flow Index (190˚C/2.16 kg) 0.35
Density 0.955
Melting Point, ˚F 264
Tensile Strength (PSI) 4000
Elongation at Break, % 600
Flexure Modulus (PSI) 200,000
Ballast Filler Drinking water

 

(1) Data developed under laboratory conditions.
(2) Some of the data listed was determined on compression molded specimens and may, therefore, vary from specimen taken from molded articles.
(3) Complies with FDA 21 CFR § 177.1520, Para. (c) 2.1 and 2.

Floating covers comparison

Product comparison

Armor® Ball

Armor® Ball AQUA

Hexprotect® AQUA

Hexprotect® MAX R

Hexprotect® Slim

Rhombo 66

Rhombo 189

Products Comparison Armor Ball® Armor Ball® Aqua Hexprotect® Hexprotect® Aqua HEXPROTECT MAX R RHOMBO 66 RHOMBO 169
Surface coverage (up to) 91% 91% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99%
Insulation (R factor) ++ + ++ + +++++ +++ ++++
Heating cost reduction (up to) 75% 75% 85% 85% 85% 85% 85%
Evaporation Reduction ++++ ++++ ++ ++++ ++++ +++++ +++++
Wind Resistant + ++++ ++ +++++ ++ +++++ +++++
Buoyancy (per sq.ft)
Odor Control greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Chemical Evaporation Reduction greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Algae Reduction greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Bird Deterrent greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Snow & Ice Resistant greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Quick Install greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Maintenance Free greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck
Life Expectancy 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years 25+ Years
Cost Estimate greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck greencheck