What is a carbon block water filter?
The effectiveness of any drinking water treatment device is measured by the performance of its filter. A close review of drinking water treatment unit certifications shows that solid carbon block filters are the most effective for reducing a wide range of contaminants, including those that may be found in groundwater. Certain drinking water treatment units that use solid carbon block filters have been tested and certified to reduce as many as 65 contaminants.
In the early 1970s, the solid carbon block filter technology was developed for the purpose of treating contaminants for health reasons as well as aesthetically improving water quality.
The technology combines mechanical filtration, chemical reaction and physical adsorption into a single device to reduce a broad spectrum of harmful contaminants.
Solid carbon block filters are used in point-of-use drinking water treatment devices designed for countertop, undersink and inline applications.
Solid carbon block filters effectively treat the age-old contaminants such as lead, TCE, chlorine, benzene and several contaminants found in the nation's drinking water supplies today like MTBE, chloramines and PCBs. They also likely will be proven capable of significantly reducing contaminants that may be found in drinking water supplies in the future such as antibiotics and other drugs.
The effectiveness of solid carbon block filters in treating a broad spectrum of contaminants of aesthetic as well as health concern makes it the technology of choice by consumers.
How carbon block water filters work?
During operation, inlet water first passes through a sediment filter, and then through two carbon block filters. During the fourth stage, the water passes through the reverse osmosis membrane. The portion of the inlet water that passes through the membrane travels to the product water storage tank. Before the water is dispensed through the faucet, water leaves the storage tank and travels through a final carbon filter before exiting the faucet.
The Multi-Pure’s 5-stage POU drinking water treatment system uses carbon filtration and reverse osmosis processes to remove contaminants from drinking water. It is sold with a faucet that is installed at the kitchen sink, and the system itself is installed either under the kitchen sink or in another location.
Advantages of carbon block water filters.
Independent laboratory testing and certification of solid carbon block filters shows that Multi-Pure’s carbon block technology produces filters that provide greater chemical adsorption and mechanical filtration. Materials are formed into a carbon block, which is densely compacted. Compression enhances the kinetics of the filter and provides performance that cannot be achieved with extruded or granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. Compacted solid carbon block filters have a large surface area for chemical/physical adsorption to take place.
With a solid carbon block, the water contact time is longer and provides for greater adsorption of many different chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and certain heavy metals. A close review of product listings confirms that Multi-Pure's Drinking Water Systems are among the few that have been certified to reduce PCBs -a difficult contaminant to treat. Only a handful of products have been tested and certified to reduce a wide range of contaminants that are more difficult to treat.
In addition, the densely compacted carbon block mechanically filters particles down to 0.5 micron, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium, asbestos, turbidity and particulates. Our filter design incorporates an outer pre-filtration medium to remove large particles and prevent premature clogging of the filter. Multi-Pure's solid carbon block filters are exceptionally uniform and don't channel or allow bypass.
Carbon block filter capacity?
Filter capacity varies depending on the density and size of the filter. The characterization of activated carbons used by Multi-Pure determines the capacity of the water filters. Capacity ratings apply to the chemical adsorption capabilities of the carbon and specialized media. Carbons with a high surface area allow for long life and high adsorption capacity. Capacity ratings for Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems range from 600 gallons to 1,200 gallons, depending on model.
Claims of capacity aren't applicable to contaminants reduced by mechanical filtration because of broad variations in the quality and quantity of physical matter in the drinking water. The solid carbon block filter is engineered so that contaminants removed by mechanical filtration will cause the flow rate to decrease and the water filters to clog, thus offering protection to the consumer from Giardia, Cryptosporidium and other contaminants with a specific physical size.
