How Sediment and Activated Carbon filters work

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A sediment filter operates through a process called mechanical filtration.

This process physically blocks unwanted particulate matter from infiltrating your water supply. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Filter Media: The filter is made up of a porous material, which can be pleated, string-wound, melt-blown, or made of other materials. The pores in the filter media are small enough to allow water molecules to pass through but large enough to trap particles.
2. Flow of Water: As water flows through the filter, it passes through the filter media. The size of the pores determines the size of the particles that will be trapped. For example, a filter with a 5-micron rating will trap particles that are 5 microns or larger.
3. Trapping Particles: The filter captures and holds particles such as dirt, sand, rust, and other debris. This prevents these particles from entering your water supply and causing issues with your plumbing and appliances.

Types of Sediment Filters:

• Pleated Filters: These have a large surface area and can trap a significant amount of debris.
• String-Wound Filters: These use layers of string wound around a core to trap particles.
• Melt-Blown Filters: These are made from fibers that are melted and blown into a filter shape, creating a dense filter media.

Sediment filters are designed to remove a variety of particulate matter from water, including:

• Sand and Silt: Common in areas with sandy soil or from construction activities.
• Rust: Often present in older plumbing systems.
• Dirt and Clay: Can cloud water and contribute to unpleasant tastes and odors.
• Organic Debris: Leaf fragments, algae, and other organic matter, especially in rural or well water sources12.

A carbon water filter, often referred to as an activated carbon filter, operates through a process called adsorption. Here's a detailed breakdown of how it works:

1. Activated Carbon: The filter media is made from activated carbon, which is carbon that has been treated to create a vast network of tiny pores. This increases its surface area, making it highly effective at trapping contaminants.
2. Adsorption Process: As water passes through the activated carbon, contaminants are attracted to and held on the surface of the carbon particles. This is different from absorption, where substances are taken into the material. Adsorption involves contaminants sticking to the surface.

Types of Carbon Filters:

• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): These filters use loose granules of carbon, which provide a large surface area for adsorption.
• Carbon Block Filters: These are made from compressed carbon, which creates a dense structure that forces water to pass through very small pores, increasing contact time and adsorption efficiency.

Contaminant Removal: The activated carbon traps a wide range of contaminants, including:

• Chlorine: Commonly used in municipal water treatment, chlorine can cause unpleasant tastes and odors.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These are chemicals that can evaporate into the air and are often found in household products.
• Pesticides and Herbicides: Agricultural chemicals that can seep into water supplies.
• Heavy Metals: Some carbon filters can REDUCE levels of heavy metals like lead and mercury but not remove them entirely.

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