Posts Tagged ‘filters’

DE Filters For Pools

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Diatomaceous Earth filters also know as DE filters are a common type of filter which uses a very fine powder called DE to coat internal grids or plates to help capture dirt and debris as they pass through a filter tank or vessel.

DE filter are available in many sizes usually noted in square footage. The most common sizes are 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 square feet of surface. Most filters are rated at 2 gallons per minute of flow per square foot of surface area. An example would be a 36 square foot filter would be capable of up to 72 gallons per minute of flow. This is important so as not to attempt to use to large of a pump which could cause internal damage to the filter grids and the filter tank itself. DE filters have been manufactured in many different materials plastic, fiberglass and stainless steel.

Most DE filters required a type of control valve, usually a valve known as a Multi Port Valve or a Slide Valve. Both types of valves allow the water inside the tank to be reversed as needed to “backwash” the grids when required. Multi port valves offer more options, such as bypass, rinse, waste, closed and recirculated modes where as slide valves usually only have filter and backwash modes.

How does backwashing work? Backwashing allows the reversal of the water inside the tank to flush out captured dirt and debris. The “spent” DE is flushed outside the tank and caught in either a separation tank bag or another method for disposal. Once the backwashing has occurred the filter will need to be re-energized with fresh DE powder. The valve position is moved back to the standard filter mode and pool water is moved through the filter in the normal operating flow pattern. The skimmer valve of the pool is opened and fresh DE powder is added to the filter through the skimmer allowing the pump to pull the powered back into the tank and allowing the grids or plates to be recoated.

Will the filter need to be disassembled and cleaned at some point in time? Yes, the method of backwashing the filter to remove debris will only be effective a certain number of times. Shorter and shorter filter runs will be noted and this will signal that the filter will need to be taken apart and completely serviced. Servicing a DE filter will require removal of the internal grids or plates, cleaning of their surfaces, flushing out of the tank, reassembly, and addition of fresh filter powder directly inside the filter. Remember to lubricate o-rings before reassembly to allow for water tight seals.

How much DE will need to be added to a filter? Filters which are produced in various square footage sizes and will require a certain number of pounds of DE per square foot of filter area. Consult your filter owner’s manual for manufactures recommendations.

Please keep in mind to use caution when working with Diatomaceous Earth, eye and nose protection along with gloves should be used when ever working with or handling DE.

DE filters are an excellent method of filtration and when these filters are maintained and serviced on a regular basis crystal clear swimming pool water can be expected.

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How Do Water Filters Work To Bring You Drinking Water Free From Contaminants

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

With the wave of contaminants that have hit our water supplies over the last couple of decades, more and more people are starting to wonder how do water filters work to protect themselves and their families.

But in order to get an understanding of how they work, you need to be clear on the kinds of contaminants that are present in your water supply and the features of a home water filtration system.

With regards to the chemical content of our water, there are around 80,000 chemicals used in industry, that can be make their way into in our reservoirs. Any combination of these chemicals could be in the water that you are drinking right now.

Over 2,000 of these chemicals have been documented as known carcinogens. So, how do water filters work to effectively remove these types of contaminants?

They work by utilizing a combination of an activated granular carbon filter (gac) and a multi media block. These two filters trap the chemicals, and turn them into solids, which are unable to penetrate the film across the filter face.

Apart from chemicals, there are also microscopic bacteria and parasites that are in your drinking water as well. These may cause stomach problems if ingested.

Contrary to what many people believe, not all of the microbes and parasites in your water supply are eradicated by the use of chlorine disinfection. Many still survive to pose a danger to the health of you and your family.

And how do water filters work to eliminate the risk of waterborne sicknesses affecting your family?

Through the use of what is known as a sub micron filter, all of the parasites and cysts become effectively blocked in much the same manner as with the earlier filters I talked. The exception is that the microbes are already in solid form, so they are basically trapped.

You should also be aware that toxic metals, such as copper and lead, can find its way into your tap water.

These metals generally find their way into your tap water by leaching off the plumbing fixtures that transport water throughout your house. So potentially harmful are these chemicals, that even in small quantities, ingesting lead contaminated water may cause neurological damage.

How do water filters work in order to remove the threat of heavy metal poisoning?

There is a device used called an ion exchange unit, that magnetizes the metal traces and then replaces them in your water with potassium and sodium. This filter will also keep the pH balance of your water perfect so that you water will taste great every time.

How do water filters work? They work by utilizing the 3 tiered filter system mentioned before, which pays attention to all kinds of drinking water contaminants at the same time; this ensures that nothing gets by.

You get obtain this tiered system in a high quality counterop or undersink drinking water filter. Very importantlyBusiness Management Articles, these purifiers are affordable and will help maintain the health and safety of you and your family.

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Swimming Pool Sand Media Filters

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Swimming pool sand filters are one of the ways to keep your pool crystal clear and clean. This type of product uses sand as a means to collect and remove debris from a body of water.

The media is contained in a vessel or tank, water is pumped into the top of the tank, and into the internal distributor. This allows the pool water to “rain down” and flow through the media. As the water flows through, dirt and debris are collected and removed from the water. The debris is held behind and the clean water is returned to the swimming pool.

What are some of the items found and associated with a type of filter?

1. Multi Port Valve OR Control Valve

What are some of the functions found on a standard Multi Port Valve?

- FILTER – For normal filtering and vacuuming.

- BACKWASH – For cleaning the filter bed of accumulated debris.

- RINSE – Use after completing the backwash cycle to ensure all dirty water is rinsed from the tank to waste.

- WASTE – By-passes the tank for draining or lowering the pool water level and for vacuuming heavy debris directly to the waste line.

- RECIRCULATE – Water is recirculated through the valve by-passing the filter.

- CLOSED – Shuts off the flow from the pump to the filter

Internal Parts

2. Tank Or Vessel – Main body of the unit.

3. Top Diffuser – Allows the pool water to enter the tank and distribute the water inside the tank.

4. Media – Captures the dirt and debris from the pool water as it flows through.

5. Laterals – Located under the media, allows the pool water to exit the tank and flow back to the pool.

How are sand filters cleaned?

Most filters come equipped with a valve, commonly referred to as a Multi Port Valve. The Multi Port Valve has various settings allowing water flow to be directed in many direct directions. One of the directions is BACKWASH. In the backwash mode the water inside the tank is made to flow in reverse. Instead of the water flowing from the top of the tank down, the water from the pool is fed into the bottom of the tank through the laterals. This causes the sand to be churned, the dirt and debris which has been contained is flushed out of the tank through a separate waste line. Many Multi Port Valves have a sight glass for viewing this process. As the water is backwashed, use the sight glass to inspect the water, as the water becomes visually clean the backwash should be considered finished, the pump stopped and the valve now put in the RINSE mode. Reenergizing the pump in the rinse mode allows the water to flow in the standard operating direction and allows settling to occur in the tank. Dirty Water is flushed out to waste during this process.

NOTE: This process will lower the water level of the pool. Once the pool level is lowered additional chemicals may be needed. Retesting of the water will be required to determine the type and amount of chemicals which will be required.

What if backwashing is not enough?

If backwashing does not “clean” the sand media, the time has come to disassemble the unit, empty the tank and replace the sand. The media will deteriorate over a period of time, become hard and crusty, and forming channels. When this takes place, backwashing will not be enough to allow proper filtration. It is important to remember the following when performing this task.

1. If the filter has not been disassembled for some time, when removing the multi port valve, top dome or top half of the tank, remember to have new o-rings available which will be in the area of disassembly. Old o-rings stretch and crack over a period of time and need to be replaced periodically.

2. Carefully remove the old media from the tank. This can be accomplished by scooping or by using a sand vac tool (a tool which by using a garden hose and exhaust hose, vacuums the sand out of the filter tank.

3. Inspect the bottom laterals, checking for damage or cracks. Replace any laterals in the bottom of the tank, which are defective to prevent by-passing of sand back to the swimming pool.

4. Prepare to refill the tank with the new media (Check the instruction manual for the filter and use the size and type which is recommended).

5. Fill the tank half full with clean water.

6. Slowly and carefully add the new sand media to the tank. Use caution not to damage the laterals during this process. Add the correct amount for the size filter being serviced.

7. Reassemble all parts removed, top half, dome, and valve, replace o-rings as required.

8. Position the multi port valve in the RINSE position to settle the new media, check for leaks, once settled, turn off pump and return the valve setting to the filter position. Restart Pool Pump and begin normal operation.

How often does the sand need to be changed?

Filter size, pool usage, bather load and weather conditions will dictate the time frame for changing and recharging the filter.

These types of filters have been utilized for many years as an effective means of swimming pool water filtration. Maintaining the filter and valve will provide many years of service, keeping your water crystal clearFree Reprint Articles, enjoyable and ready for fun.

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Aquasana Home Water Filters – #1 For Removing Drinking Water Contaminants

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

If you have even the slightest interest in having the cleanest drinking water in your home, you must have heard about Aquasana. There is a good reason for this; Aquasana is amongst the top home water purification systems on the market, if not, the very top.

Let’s explore for a moment the way that these appliances stack up against the other top names in the business.

Aquasana has been in the business of manufacturing water filtration systems for over 15 years. Currently, they possess 17 different patents and have sold more than nine million filters. This company prides itself on the fact that their water purification systems represent the absolute best value to the customer of any system being made.

The Aquasana system has been rated the best filtration device in the USA by the well-respected Consumer Digest Magazine. It offers your family all of the protection that they will ever need in order for them to maintain good health despite of all the contaminants that are in our water supply.

So, how does Aquasana purification system stand up to its closest competitor?

The closest filter does an ok job of removing drinking water contaminants but falls way short of what the Aquasana drinking water system can do.

For starters, the closest competitor blocks far less chlorine, lead, THMs and VOCs than Aquasana does, and to top it off, doesn’t remove MTBE from your water at all. Aquasana rids up to 99% of these drinking water contaminants. Some of these contaminants can cause serious damage to your health; cancer for example.

You can’t take a chance on even a small percentage more of these harmful contaminants getting into your the drinking glasses of that of your children.

How much money do you figure that the second rated filtration system sell for in a store? This filtration device retails for around $349 and yet for the price, it doesn’t do an adequate job of removing the contamiants found in your tap water.

Compare this to the Aquasana filter device that sells for the very reasonable price of $125 and you can see that Aquasana offers phenomenal value to the consumer.

The big difference between Aquasana water filtration system and lesser brands is its multi level filtering system.

Aquasana countertop water filters consist of an activated granular carbon filter and a multi media block to rid your water of chemical contaminants; a sub micron filter for eliminating chlorine-resistant waterborne organisms and an added feature known as an ion exchange device.

What the ion exchange feature does, is that it eliminates heavy metal contaminants that are in your tap water. Once it traps these elements, it exchanges them for sodium and potassium, thereby re-mineralizing your water.

The final act of this Aquasana feature is that it keeps the pH level of your water in balance guaranteeing you the freshest, purestArticle Search, best tasting water every time.

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Iron Water Filters – Not The Best For Filtering Drinking Water

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Now I see that they have gotten around to trying to sell iron filters to residential customers.

The thing about these iron water filters is that they really don’t have much to offer you in the way of protection from the many contaminants that can be found in our water supply. They are too contaminant specific to offer you much help at all.

What these iron filters are primarily for is removing toxic heavy metals from your drinking water. They are highly recommended by some for their ability to effectively block iron, sulphur, manganese, sediment, and turbidity from your water, which is great.

However there are thousands of contaminants in our water supply that these types of filters are not equipped to deal with.

These iron water filters will do absolutely nothing to protect you from all of the chemical agents that are in our water supply.

There are about 2,100 of these chemicals in our water that are known to cause cancer in human beings. You need a filter that will effectively block these chemicals out. This is not the filter to do it with.

Another group of impurities that iron filters fail to deal with are the numerous parasites and cysts that breed in our water.

These microscopic menaces will many times survive the chlorine disinfection process, and will make anyone who is unlucky enough to ingest them severely ill. This illness can often be fatal in the elderly, and in small children.

Iron water filters are too limited in what they can offer you, and at a starting price of around $400, they should be able to offer you much more.

If you want to be able to remove heavy metals from your drinking water there is a much more affordable way in which to not only accomplish that task, but also get help with the other contaminants also.

Instead of iron filters what you need is an all around water purification unit that features an ion exchange filter.

This filter removes metals from you water just as effectively as those other types of filters do.But the reason that they are named as they are is because when they trap these metal traces, they release sodium and potassium in its place.

What iron water filters don’t offer you is the protection that can be had by the combination of an activated granular carbon filter, a multi media block, and a sub micron filter.

These three filters will effectively block 99% of all of the chemical and microbial contaminants that are currently present in your water. This combination is what you need if you want to feel totally safe.

You can buy the top rated counter top unit for a mere $125 dollars, which as we have learned is considerably less expensive than any of the iron filters that are available.

This unit contains all four of the filters that have been mentioned, and with all of this protection in your counter topPsychology Articles, your family can rest easy at night knowing that nothing can harm them.

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DE, Sand or Cartridge Swimming Pool Filters – Which One Should I Choose?

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

There are three different styles of swimming pool filters, DE, cartridge and sand. Let’s review the differences of each type of filter

The first type of filter is a SAND FILTER, it uses fine filter sand inside a vessel or tank to collect and trap dirt and debris from a swimming pool. The pool water is sent to the filter from the pool pump to the top of the tank and a fitting inside the vessel called the distributor “rains” the water down and through the sand. As the water migrates down through the bed of sand the pool water is collected by the laterals inside the bottom of tank and returned to the pool filtered and clean. The sand inside the filter can last for many years if the filter is “backwashed”. What is backwashing? Backwashing is when the water flow inside the filter is reversed (using the selector valve outside the filter) and the dirty water and debris are flushed out through the waste line of the pool system. During backwashing, some sand will be lost each time and the water level of the pool will be lowered. When it is time to replace the sand, the old sand will need to be removed, either by hand or tool and the filter will need to be replenished with new fresh filter media.

The second type of filter is a CARTRIDGE FILTER, it uses a replaceable cartridge element to capture dirt and debris from a pool and or spa. The cartridge filter element is houised inside the tank, the upper lid is normally held in place by a clamp or knob which has been manufactured with remove ability in mind. When the cartridge has collected enough dirt and debris the cartridge is removed, hosed off, dirt removed and the element is replaced back into the tank. The cartridge will last for many years if it is cleaned on a regular basis and not allowed to become over filled. Cartridge filters when cleaned do not require backwashing; the pool water level is unaffected during cleaning. Cartridge filters are a perfect choice for spas due to this fact and the fact of easy of cleaning.

The third type of filter is a DE FILTER or Diatomaceous Earth unit. Inside this type of filter are grids which hold a thin layer of DE. As the pool water is sent to the tank from the pool pump it passes through these grids, covered with DE and the DE captures the dirt and debris for removal. DE filters just like sand filters can also be “backwashed” to remove the dirt from inside the filter. A DE filter just like a sand filter when it is backwashed some DE power will be lost and the level of the pool will be lowered. Eventually the filter will need to be disassembled, the old DE removed and fresh diatomaceous earth replaced inside the filter. While the DE filter tank is open for service, fresh DE can be added directly to the tank.

After looking at all three types, which type is the best? All three types offer excellent filtering capabilities and if maintained in top working order, all three can and will keep your swimming pool and or spa clear and crystal blue. The filter is a key part of your pool system, if it does not function correctly expect to spend extra time and effort maintaining your backyard investmentHealth Fitness Articles, maintain it on a regular basis and enjoy your backyard paradise each and every day.

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What are HEPA Air Filters?

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that almost 90% of the people spend their time indoors.  This means that indoor air quality is much more important than outdoor air quality for most people. 

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are recommended by allergists and medical professionals for the removal of all dust particles in the size range of droplet nuclei from the air. The HEPA filter, a mechanical filter, was developed by the Atomic Energy Commission of U.S.A. during World War II to prevent radioactive particles from escaping from plants and laboratories. Those initial HEPA air filters were very bulky compared to those that are produced today.

HEPA filters are able to trap 99.97% of particles having the size of 0.3 micron, including harmful fibers, dust, smoke, pet dander, and more.  With the capacity to collect dirt particles, which are 1/300th the width of the human air, these filters have high resistance power and cannot be placed directly in heating or cooling systems.

These filters are used as the primary filtration systems for electronic clean room assembly, isolation wards, surgical theaters, bioengineering units, pharmaceutical processing units, and other places where the maximum removal of sub-micron particulate is required. They are also used in portable units to supplement a building’s ventilation system by providing disinfected air.

Doctors are advising the usage of HEPA filters in heating/cooling systems for the prevention and treatment of Tuberculosis. HEPA air cleaners, vacuum cleaners and air filters are essential by law to be used in all equipment for asbestos, lead, toxic chemicals, and mold abatement.

The major benefit of HEPA filters is that they can remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are the gases that are released from household chemicals and synthetic materials. If filtration systems do not contain HEPA filters, all the toxic particles trapped in the room are left unfiltered. The price of portable HEPA filter unit ranges from approximately $100 to $3500Psychology Articles, depending on the size of the unit.

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The Four Major Types of Air Filters

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

Hygienic air is essential to human life, and in this modern age, that requires air cleaners.  There are a few different methods of air cleaning, like Filtration, Electro-static Precipitation and Ion Generation. Air Filtration cleans air through the removal of sub-micron particulate, gases and odors. If you are plagued by allergies or asthma, an air filter might help you. Air filters are the best tools for eradicating allergens from the house. Particularly for those people who are suffering from asthma and allergies, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration.

The ability to remove allergens and contaminants depends on the amount of air drawn through the filter. Factors that affect filter efficiency include fiber size, fiber density, airflow rate, and particle diameter. Air filters may be centralized, in-home filtration systems or portable devices. When the air quality problems exist throughout the house, then a centralized filtration system is needed. Otherwise, portable cleaner may serve the purpose of air filtration.

There are four major types of air filters, depending on specific needs. They are:

Mechanical Filters

These filters force air through a special screen that traps pollen, dust particulate, smoke and air-borne irritants and pet dander. The best example of this type of filters is HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

Gas Phase Filters

These air filters are used for removing odors and other types of pollutants such as gases from cooking, paints, perfume etc. These filters are not meant for the removal of allergens in the home.

Electronic Filters

In these types of filters, allergens are trapped through electrostatic precipitators with a fan. Electronic filters use electric charges to attract contaminants.

 Hybrid Filters

These air filters combine electrostatic and mechanical filters. These are used to trap allergens rather than gas based contaminants.

Another type of air filters is the Ozone air filter, but it is not environment-friendly. 

When purchasing an air filter, one has to consider things like which type of allergens will be removed, the filter’s efficiency with respect to HEPA standards, the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the filter, the ease of changing the filterComputer Technology Articles, and the noise that it will make. Changing air filters regularly facilitates is ability to improve the quality of air.

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The Importance of Home Air Filters

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Clean air is even more important inside the home than it is outdoors. Home air filters, also called as “”furnace filters”", keep the coils and heat exchanges on the heating and air conditioning system clean, which otherwise make the system work harder. Home air filters contain high efficient motors and anti-microbial filters, resulting in healthy and clean air in home or office.

There are manifold types and styles of home air purifiers, including HEPA, carbon, zeolite, UV light air purifiers, and more.  Some air purifiers have filters, and some use stainless steel rods to collect contaminates.

Home air filters work by drawing air through the layers of different air filters. The air first passes through a pre-filter where large particles are removed. Then the air passes through a coconut shell activated carbon filter that absorbs gases, chemicals, odors and vapors. After this absorption, the air enters two anti-microbial filters for further filtration. Then the air goes on to the 80 square feet HEPA media where 99.97% of all allergens and particulate larger than 0.3 micron are removed from the resultant air. From this HEPA mediaPsychology Articles, the clean air is released back into the room. The size of airborne particles that a home air purifier captures is measured in microns. A micron is hundred times smaller than a human hair and is obviously not visible to the naked eye.

The most important thing to remember about home air filters is to change them regularly. Upgrading and properly maintaining home air filters is easy and helps improve indoor air quality.

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The Important Function of Car Air Filters

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Studies conducted over the past two decades demonstrate that the exposure of the passengers inside a car to the dangerous air pollutants including respiratory irritants, neurological agents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide and carcinogens is significantly higher than that of bicyclists, pedestrians and public transfer riders.

Increased exposure to these pollutants can produce serious health problems. Benzene is a known carcinogen and VOCs are  also likely cancer agents. Almost all the pollutants can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory systems of people exposed to them.

They also may hinder the development of fetuses and infants. Studies indicate that the elevated levels of auto exhausts can also suppress the immune system, making human beings more vulnerable to colds, influenza, and other respiratory conditions like asthma. Car air filters purify the air inside a car, allowing the passengers to have healthy and clean air to breathe.

Car air filters come in two main types: the panel style, as used on most fuel-injected cars, and the radial style, which are usually used on carbureted vehicles. A car air filter is enclosed in a black plastic casing near the center-top of the engine.

The air filter traps dirt particles, which can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, pistons and piston rings. Changing car’s filters on a regular basis can have a significant impact on engine life and performance. A good rule of thumb is to change filters once or twice a year, or roughly once every 15,000 miles. Replacing a clogged air filter has two-fold impact on the engine: a fuel economy benefit: up to 10%, which makes for equivalent gasoline savings up to 15ข per gallon.
Dirty and dusty driving conditions will require more frequent filter replacements. It is important to avoid using the wrong size filter in a car.

Nowadays, car owners are using ‘Nanotechnology’ based filters to improve cabin air quality. Such filters contain charcoal layers, which remove odors. These filters allow ‘mechanical filtration’, in which the fiber material of the filter with pores of a specific size will trap particles larger than the size of the pores. Almost 80% of the cars sold in U.S. include a built-in nanotechnology-based filter.

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