Filtration

Filtration & Filter Materials.

5 Filter Materials

In this Whole House Water Filter Advanced Upgrade, the main tanks combine a proprietary patent-processed KDF-55 mineral media (copper-zinc), high purity coconut shell carbon, zeolite, calcium-based carbon (bone char) & Rx Filtration media, all of which have been tested to NSF standard 42 and 61.

Filter Materials Described

KDF is a great REDOX (oxidation/reduction) filter media.  It delivers a unique natural process of electrochemical oxidation/reduction and adsorption. KDF-55 targets the dissolved inorganic contaminants.  It filters up to 98% of soluble cation heavy metals including mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, etc.

KDF-55 creates a bacteriostatic environment that prevents the growth of bacteria, mold & other microbial contaminants.

KDF-55 also prevents corrosion and eliminates hard scale by transforming hardness minerals into crystalline structures that do not adhere to plumbing & appliances.  Effective up to 8 grains of hardness.  (We have other units for higher hardness.)

The KDF in this filter has been processed using the FOAM ADVANTAGE patent, which means you get more filtration from less media.

SNRF Ion Exchange Coconut Shell Carbon is an adsorbent media that target the volatile organic compounds (chlorine, THMs, disinfection by products, herbicides, pesticides, etc). This carbon is supercharged with an internal modification for ion exchange properties.  This delivers soluble lead adsorption (Ion Exchange Capacity is 130mg/g). The heavy metal reduction capability is additive, given that FOAM ADVANTAGE KDF-55 is also incorporated in to the system design.  Together they assure 99% removal of soluble lead, even at high flow rates.

This carbon is well-established for filtration of organic contaminants.  It leaves good-tasting water. 

Calcium Based Carbon (BRIMAC), also known as Bone Char, has a unique porous matrix of ions created by heating a raw material in an oxygen rich vessel at 1,292 °F. The result is a unique type of Calcium-Based Activated Carbon with properties that are very different than the more common Coconut Shell Activated Carbon.  Calcium-Based Carbon is selective for filtering inorganic contaminants.

Fluoride filtration is the most common application for Calcium-Based Carbon.  It is also used in applications for radionuclides reduction including radium, uranium & arsenic present at levels below the MCL.

Fluoride is one of the more slowly-adsorbed contaminants.  Lower water flow permits more fluoride filtration.  A large quantity of high-quality fluoride-filtering media is required for whole house reduction of this contaminant. 90+% removal of fluoride (as you get with other contaminants) is not generally feasible for Whole House Water Filtration Applications.  However, this stage of the dual tank system will reduce fluoride.  Specific tests at different times may show varying results.  This is both because it is hard to get accurate fluoride tests – and because levels prior to filtering can vary.   It is estimated that fluoride removal will begin at about 85%, and will drop to about 35% over the life of the filter.   If you want to remove more fluoride, we can do so with a 2-canister kitchen filter.  The biggest risks of fluoride are from ingestion.

Zeolite Filtration Media is a great filtration material with both adsorbent & ion exchange properties. The most prominent application for Zeolite is ammonia removal. Zeolite compliments activated carbon’s adsorption of volatile organic compounds.  Zeolite tends to offer greater efficacy with the removal of some organics that activated carbon is less effective adsorbing. It also has shown promise for the removal of various radionuclides with its unique ion exchange properties.

Rx Filtration Media is a mesoporous (nano-level) organosilica media that possesses a flexible and hydrophobic pore structure. Rx media is able to remove nearly all forms of pharmaceutical contamination found in potable water supplies.  Testing shows 99% removal of antidepressants, antibiotics, birth controls & 75% removal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines). Rx media can also be used for the extraction of organic species, including hydrocarbons, all forms of oil, chlorinated solvents, esters & glycols.