FAQ > Water Filters

How long will my birm filter last.

A birm filter will usually last up to ten years with a yearly service,However within the ten years we would expect to have to change the media inside the vessel.The frequency of changing the media is totally dependant upon the incoming levels of iron and manganese.
How long is the guarantee on my birm filter.

If you purchase your birm water filter from us all working parts are fully guaranteed for one year.

Do I need my birm filter serviced.

It is usual to have a service contract with the company you brought the birm filter off.This company should inspect the water quality every year to ensure that the filter is working correctly.Please contact our service department for further details.
What incoming water peramiters are required for the birm filter to work.
No hydrogen sulphide present.
Organic matter not to exceed 4-5 ppm as indicated by the oxygen consumed value.
Oil must not be present.
A dissolved oxygen content of at least 15% of the iron. (Example Iron = 10ppm.
Dissolved Oxygen = 1.5 ppm or more).
A pH of 6.5 or higher.

Note: The correction of waters having a pH of less than 6.5 can be accomplished by several methods. Aeration, the use of Corosex "F" (CLACK neutralising method), or the addition of chemicals, such as soda are examples of common methods frequently used. A combination of the above methods is often used, depending on the amount of correction desired. The dissolved oxygen content of a water supply is raised by proper separation.

When rain falls the water has a naturally aggressive slightly acidic nature.This water then dissolves chalk and or metallic deposits present in the local rock strata which leads to contamination of the water.
This in turn results in ground and borehole water containing a number of elements that would not normally be present in mains water supplies. These contaminants such as iron and manganese can then cause problems when the water is put in to a system.

Acidic water results in corrosion of pipework, heating cylinders and other auxillary equipment.
Any iron or manganese present will result in poor tasting water and will also stain items such as baths or sinks.
Any ph valued water of less than 7 is considered to be acidic, and corrosion will accelerate between 6.5 with levels below 6 considered very aggressive.
It is usually difficult to remove iron and manganese from aciic water so it is usual to raise the ph in any system before treatment.
The simplest and most economic way to raise the ph in a water system is to install a ph correction filter where the water flows through a pressure vessel full of a ph correcting media such as magnodol.
The magnadol has a fixed dissolving rate and will neutralise water as it is passed through.
Ph correction filters will need periodically refilling with the neutralising agent and systems are sized with this in mind, It is expected that a ph correction system would need refilling around once per year.
To treat waters that are basically pure and otherwise clean a basic upflow system may be all that is required.
For water with iron and manganese fouling or turbidity an automatic backwashing unit would be required to remove accumulated debris within the system.
Water with a ph below 5 is uncommon and would not be treatable with this system.

How do I size my ph correction system.

Specifiying and sizing a ph correction system is dependant upon the contact time of the water with the ph correction media.The recommended maximum service flows for each system are given in our technical specification page on our web site.

Nitrate removal systems

The presence of nitrates in the water causes many problems , ranging from the blue baby syndrome to contamination of poultry if used as a feed water to farmed birds. The source of nitrates in groundwater is usually from farming fertilisers.

The EEC permitted maximum is 50mg/l with an advisory maximum of 25mg/l.
Nitrates dissolved in water is not able to be removed by simple filtration.It can only be reduced by either regenerable or disposable cartridge type ion exchange systems ( see cartridge exchange system link). Another method of nitrate removal is by using a reverse osmosis fitration unit ( see reverse osmosis link). Reverse osmosis systems will typically treat the drinking water in a kitchen whilst a nitrate ion exchange system would treat the whole feed.

Point of use systems can be used please see point of use filters in cartridge filter link.

Ion exchange nitrate removal systems are a similar process to water softening using a slightly different polymer in the resin.nThe resin removes the nitrate and the sulphate due to its chemical similarity from the water an thus replaces them with chloride ions. Once the resin bed is nearly exhausted of chloride ions the control valve initiates a regeneration of the resin bed.

This is achieved by passing a chloride rich brine solution made up of common salt dissolved in a brine solution through the resin bed which flushes out the nitrate and sulphate to drain replacing them with chlorides again. After a final rinse to remove excess brine the unit is automatically put back into serice.The only input required by the user is to ensure the salt level in the brine tank is topped up.

Usually for fixed and constant flows to service a imple timer controlled unit is fine.this will effect regeneration of the resin bed at a preset time interval.

For varing demands a water meter controlled unit is more suitable, regenerating only after a preset volume of water has passed through the unit.

If continuous flows are required a duplex unit is installed where one unit will regenerate whilst the other half of the unit is in a service position.

Activated carbon Faq.

What is activated carbon.
Using carbon as a filter media dates back many centuries to the Egyptians who used the charcoal for medical purposes around 1500 bc. The romans are also known to have used charcoal as a filtration medium to filter such fluids as water and beer. During the 20th century the uses of activated carbon have multiplied as the pace of technology has accelerated. Activated carbon has a unique position amongst filter media and has become an important part of environmental protection and a leading component in the prevention of air and water pollution.

How does carbon work?

Carbons success is due to its extremely high internal surface area and network of pores within each granule. The carbons surface attracts contaminant molecules, which are then held firm by van der Vaals forces. Many different compounds can be absorbed onto the carbon by this process of physisorption.

How is Activated carbon manufactured?

Activated carbon is manufactured from raw materials such as coal, coconut shell and wood. The raw material is first processed to produce a char and then put through a secondary stage called the activation process.
The activation process involves heating the char to 800 to 1000 degrees in an atmosphere of steam. This process develops the high surface area and extensive pore network common in activated carbon granules.
Activated Carbon for dechlorination.

Specialised water uses in brewing, soft drinks and others such as pharmaceutical industries, Require the complete removal of all odour and taste constituents including free chlorine, Before water is acceptable for their particular processes.
Activated carbon is capable of the removal of all such constituents including chlorinated hydrocarbons, as well as the removal of free chlorine, which may have been previously introduced to render the water biologically sterile.

Activated carbon for Industrial effluent and wastewater.

Activated carbons are effective adsorbents for the traces of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and insecticides, which ultimately find their way into surface waters.
The majority of these compounds are of very low solubility and are ideal subjects for physical adsorbtion. Detergents and sufacents in general can be adsorbed in high efficiency, a property that is of great value when materials, which are resistant to biological degradation, must be removed.
Activated carbons also display high effiencies when used for the screening of industrial effluents. Solvents, which may be toxic to the fauna of receiving streams, can be removed on a cyclic basis in many instances.
Carbon s may be used directly in physio chemical processes or may be used in conjunction with biological processes to produce high-grade effluents for recycle or disposal. This is particularly important where strict water authority standards must be met.

Activated carbon in relation to ozone.

Ozone is used extensively in the water treatment industry for the oxidisation of species which may cause a problem in potable water supplies.

The role of activated carbons in such systems is to remove those materials, which may undergo partial or degradation or may resist oxidation under prevailing conditions.
Ozone has a relatively low stability level in water and provides no residual sterility.
In certain wastewater treatment processes ozone is used to degrade recalcitrant materials, which may be then physically adsorbed onto activated carbon beds.
The carbon can support large bacterial colonies, which utilise adsorbed materials and greatly prolong the life of such beds.

Excess ozone in the system degrades at the carbons surface and in doing so provides an oxygen rich environment for the colonising species.

Ozone is also used in the treatment of water in municipal swimming pools, where it is finding increasing favour due to the facts it does not produce any by products of the type produced by chlorine.
Activated carbon is the medium, which can be used to adsorb breakdown products and to remove residual ozone concentrations prior to recirculation. Colonisation cannot be tolerated in this instance and carbons containing a bacteriostat are produced for this purpose.Carbon filter Faq.

What is a carbon filter

Activated carbon filtration makes use of a specially manufactured charcoal material made up of porous carbon particles to which most organic contaminants are attracted and held (sorbed) on/in the porous surface. However, organic pollutants have large differences in affinity for activated carbon surfaces. Also, the characteristics of the carbon material (particle and pore size, surface area, surface chemistry, density, and particle hardness), the size of the filter, and the flow rate of the water through the filter have a considerable influence on the pollutant removal efficiency of these filters. Usually, smaller carbon particles and slower water flows improve contaminant removal.

How does a carbon filter work

Water is pumped in a column which contains active carbon, this water leaves the column through a draining system. The activity of an active carbon column depends on the temperature and the nature of the substances. Water goes through the column constantly, which gives an accumulation of substances in the filter. For that reason the filter needs to be replace periodically. A used filter can be regenerated in different ways, granular carbon can be regenerated easily by oxidizing the organic matter. The efficiency of the active carbon decreases by 5 - 10% 1). A small part of the active carbon is destroyed during the regeneration process and must be replaced. If you work with different columns in series, you can assure that you will not have a total exhaustion of your purification system.
What are the advantages of using a carbon filter

• Effectively reduces: bad taste, odors, chlorine, organic chemicals, at point of use.
• Simple to install - easily replaces standard cartridge filters.
• Easy to replace mineral approximately every three years.
• Compact size (7" x 7" x 20.5"h) fits conveniently under standard kitchen sink.
• Improves the taste and odor of water and beverages.
• Wastes no water, uses no electricity.
• Chemical free filtration - uses granular activated carbon.

What is carbon

Carbon adsorption is the most widely sold method for home water treatment because of its ability to improve water by removing disagreeable tastes and odors, including chlorine. Because of these attributes, carbon filters are very well-suited for homes that use municipally treated water. Only a few carbon filter systems have been certified for the removal of lead, asbestos, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), cysts, and coliform.
Dried graded Anthracite comprising: - Fixed carbon, moisture, ash, volatile, trace sulphur.

What will carbon remove

Activated carbon filtration may be selected to reduce unwanted tastes, odors, and organic chemicals (such as disinfection by-products, pesticides, and solvents) from drinking water. Activated carbon will also reduce radon gas and residual chlorine. Activated carbon filters will not remove or reduce major inorganic ions (such as sodium, calcium, chloride, nitrate, and fluoride). However, some can reduce lead, copper, and mercury. Activated carbon filters will not soften the water or disinfect it. If the water source is cloudy, this type of filter may be used after a particle filter to remove particles that may plug or reduce its efficiency.

What will carbon not remove

Similar to other types of water treatment, AC filtration is effective for some contaminants and not effective for others. AC filtration does not remove microbes, sodium, nitrates, fluoride, and hardness. Lead and other heavy metals are removed only by a very specific type of AC filter. Unless the manufacturer states that its product will remove heavy metals, the consumer should assume that the AC filter is not effective in removing them. Refer to the other circulars in the Treatment Systems for Household Water Supplies series for information on systems that do remove the contaminants listed above.

How long will my carbon filter last

Since water quality varies from place to place, and may even vary in composition over time due to natural variances in makeup and how it might be treated, there is really no specific answer for time at which a carbon filter should be changed. The most common methods for determining when a filter should be changed include development of a noticeable drop in water pressure or a measurable drop in chlorine removal. Some filters have a filter changeout alarm or indicator visible for consumers to see when to change their filter. Others have a stated life that is measured in gallons of water that can be filtered or months of typical usage while still achieving the desired chlorine reduction, but that life may be variable depending on the water.
The life of a carbon filter depends on the type of filter you have and what you are filtering. Any filter designed to remove particulates may prematurely block up if large amounts of sediment are present in your water. A carbon filter is mainly used for chlorine, taste and odour reduction. So if the carbon filter is saturated with taste/odour and other organic chemicals, it may lose its ability to remove any more chemicals from water. However, this depends on the level and type of chemicals in your water.

How long is the guarantee on my carbon filter

All carbon filters purchased from ourselves have a full parts one year warranty.

Do I need my carbon filter servicing.

It is usual to have your carbon filter serviced by a professional water treatment engineer once per year,twice per year for high flow and industrial applications.
Please contact our service department for further details.
What incoming water perameters does the carbon filter require to work correctly.
Minimum inlet pressure 1.5 Bar
Maximum inlet pressure 8 Bar
Backwash flow rates are based on a superficial velocity of 25m/hr to give a bed expansion of 30% @ 10ºC. contact time of 15 minutes.

Sand Anthracite filter Faq.

How does a Sand Anthracite filter work
What is a Sand Anthracite filterA sand anthracite filter or multi-media filter consists of 3 main parts:

• a composite pressure vessel
• a sand-anthracite filter control valve (usually low voltage)
• graded beds of sand and anthracite

The water filters down through the sand-anthracite filter media, up through a riser tube in the centre of the composite pressure vessel and out through the sand-anthracite filter control valve to service.
Periodically, the sand-anthracite filter will backwash, which changes the water flow through the sand-anthracite filter. The water in the backwash cycle flows in from the inlet, down the centre riser tube, up through the sand and anthracite bed, and out of the control valve to drain.

The next step in a sand-anthracite filter regeneration cycle is rinse. The water in a rinse cycle of a sand-anthracite filter flows as in service, down through the composite pressure vessel and sand-anthracite filter media and up through the centre riser tube, through the sand-anthracite filter control valve and to drain. The sand-anthracite filter then returns to its normal service position.

Please note that the above relates only to the smaller simplex sand-anthracite filters which we supply. For other types of sand-anthracite filters, such as multi-media filters, duplex sand-anthracite filters, triplex sand-anthracite filters and cartridge sand-anthracite filters, please contact us.

How does a Sand Anthracite filter work

Multimedia or sand anthracite filtration is a proven design concept; the coarse media layers in the top of the tank trap large particles, and successfully smaller particles are trapped in the finer layers of media deeper in the bed. The result is a highly efficient filtering since removal takes place throughout the entire bed. Multimedia filters typically remove particles 5 to 15 microns in size or larger as opposed to a conventional single media sand filter which removes 30 micron or higher. What are the advantages of using a Sand Antracite filter

What is Sand

The sand in a sand filter (#20 silica sand; 45-55 mm) is specially graded to trap particles in the 20-100 micron range. As a sand filter collects dirt, its efficiency increases, trapping more dirt.

What is anthracite

Filtracite is selected, naturally-hard, clean Welsh Anthracite, the finest in the world. It is an excellent filtration medium for gravity and pressure filters, for the treatment of hard and soft water, sewage, oil, acid/alkali liquids. The hardness of Filtracite ensures minimum wastage by attrition in service. Filtracite is practically free from water-soluble constituents and mineral matter other than the low inherent ash content of the specially selected anthracite from which it is made. It contains over 90 per cent of pure carbon, and its low silica content is a decided advantage in the treatment of alkaline waters for boiler feed purposes.
The irregular shape of the particles offers a larger surface area per unit of volume and larger spaces between particles, which enable high filtration rates with low head losses to be obtained. The greater surface area of Filtracite promotes the efficient removal of algae, turbidity and bacteria. Filtracite's low bulk density, coupled with the irregular and angular shape of a densely packed bed: thus the whole depth functions as a filter and not merely the top part, as with other closely-packing materials.

Advantages

• Faster filtration
• Longer filter runs
• Low loss of head
• Economic use of space
• Long life
• Savings in wash water
• Big capital savings
• Easy to handle
• Available in several sizes

Anttracite is beneficial for rapid gravity and pressure plant, and for tackling oils, acids and alkalis. A prime benefit of anthracite and sand filter beds is that filtration in depth can be applied to existing as well as new filtration plant. The main improvement resulting from dual media beds is the reduction in the rate of head loss build-up at a given filtration rate. Thus, the length of filter runs can be up to three times that achieved with a conventional sand bed, or filtration rates can be increased while yielding acceptable lengths of run and, overall, the incorporation of anthracite and sand media can double nominal filtration capacity.
Filtration has been chosen for many installations by the Water Authorities in Britain and it is in steady demand from leading chemical companies. Filtracite is exported all over the world.

What will Sand remove

Sand filters remove 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium, are approved for surface water treatment, have no power or chemical requirements, and have gravity feed hydraulics. Optional additions include Granular activated carbon for pesticides, THM removal, calcite to raise pH, and UV or ozone for second barrier protection.

What will anthracite remove

A sand-anthracite filter or dual media filter/multi-media filter is primarily used for the removal of turbidity and suspended solids as low as 10-20 microns.

How long will my Sand Anthracite filter last

It is usual that a sand anthracite filter could last up to ten years,However the media inside the vessel could require changing more often than that dependant upon the quality of the incoming water .It is advisable to have a reputable firm to service the sand anthracite filter and check the water quality.

How long is the guarantee on my Sand Anthracite filter

All our sand anthracite filters have a one year parts warranty as standard

Do I need my Sand Anthracite filter servicing.

It is advisable to have smaller sand anthracite filters such as domestic applications serviced once per year and larger industrial units twice per year. Please contact our service department for full details.

What incoming water perameters does the Sand Anthracite filter require to work correctly.

Inlet water pressure minimum of 1.5 Bar
Inlet water pressure maximum of 8 Bar

Testomat Eco water hardness monitor.

The eco monitor is able to determine water harness from a single measurement point.

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