TOTAL WATER
- Industrial Carbon Filtration:
Softeners
Dealkalizers
Rinse
Boiler Feed
Reverse Osmosis
Degasifier
Strong Base Demineralizer
Depth Filtration
Carbon Filtration
Demineralizers and Deionizers
Ultraviolet (UV) Systems
Industrial Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon (AC) filtration has been used for many years to solve water problems. In the beginning, its use was more art than science. Today, however, we understand more about what activated carbon can remove and how it removes it.
Activated carbon quickly and effectively removed chlorine and many other contaminants from water. The 30-inch (770 mm) deep bed of a standard activated carbon media filter can operate at 10 gpm/ft2 (25 m/hr) or more.
Synthetic organic chemicals (SOC) include all man-made organics, some of which are volatile organic compounds (VOC). Activated carbon can substantially reduce many VOCs such as benzene, trichlorethane and cabon tetrachloride. Activated carbon also removes SOCs such as Alachlor, EDB and toluene. The EPA is establishing limits for these chemicals in public drinking water supplies.
Before recommending treatment, water suspected of containing any of these and other substances must be analyzed to determine their concentrations and whether they exceed EPA standards. Equipment capable of providing empty bed contact tiem (EBCT) of 10 to 15 minutes is usually required to achieve sufficent contaminant reduction. That can require a large carbon vloume, possible in two or more filters installed in series.
Activated carbon beds compact with use so they many need occasional backwashing. In general, however, backwash carbon when the pressure difference between the filter inlet and outlet increases by 5 - 10 psi (34 to 68 kPa) from the beginning of the filtration cycle. When operation a carbon filter on turbid water supplies, remove suspended particles with a depth filter before treating it with activated carbon. A carbon filter typically backwashes at 10 gpm/ft2 (25 m/hr) for about 10 minutes, followed by a 5 minutes downflow rinse.
Over a period of several months to two years, the carbon's adsorption capacity diminishes. The exhausted carbon bed should be replaced with fresh carbon. The old carbon should be hauled to an approved disposal facility.
Engineering and manufacturing flexibility allow modifications to meet specific needs easily. Contact Total Water for to set-up water testing or for information.