There are several kinds of water filters available for your home. These include Reverse osmosis, Ultrafiltration, Surface filters, and Sediment pre-filters. Which one to choose depends on your needs and budget. If you have no idea about the different types of water filters, read our article to learn the difference between the most popular types. Once you have made a decision, you need to clean your filter regularly so that it is back to like-new condition.
Reverse osmosis
A Reverse osmosis water filter system passes water through a semipermeable membrane, removing most contaminants from the water. Common contaminants removed include chromium, lead, fluoride, barium, iron, and more. This process can be used in a residential home or in a business, and it can remove up to 95% of contaminants. There are many types of reverse osmosis water filter systems on the market, so it is important to understand which type of system is right for your needs.
Some systems come with a refrigerator kit and different types of faucets. They’re simple to install and require no further assembling. A reverse osmosis water filter system is easy to install and can be done in less than an hour. Another benefit of this system is that it’s tankless, which means that you won’t have to store the water in a storage tank and potentially expose it to bacteria.
Ultrafiltration
The process of ultrafiltration (UF) can remove many impurities from water, including viruses, bacteria, and chemicals. The primary removal mechanism of UF is size exclusion. The UF fiber bundles can remove many types of particles, and the process can also extend the life of downstream filters. Ultrafiltration is often used as a pretreatment step before reverse osmosis or deionized water, or as the final stage of a conventional water filter system.
Many advantages of ultrafiltration over other types of filtration include cost-effective up-front cost and relatively low maintenance. Ultrafiltration systems typically last five to seven years. They are highly effective at removing bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. Ultrafiltration systems are also eco-friendly, using only 95% of water during the process. This means that they do not contribute to waste water and reduce the need to dispose of plastic bottles.
Surface filters
A surface filter in a water filter system uses a membrane and screen to remove contaminants. The pore size of the membrane is measured in microns. The smaller the pore size, the more effective the filter. Fibre filters are made from cellulose, rayon, or other types of fibre. Their filtration capacity varies depending on the material they are made of. The pore size of the media can vary, but they all remove particles smaller than 5 mm.
Both carbon block and fibre filters work by using three distinct processes. The first is called mechanical filtration. The water flows through the carbon block, and impurities as small as 0.5 microns are filtered out by the pores. The second method is called chemical filtration. Chemicals in the water filter system are removed by the carbon block, while contaminants pass through the ceramic filters. The carbon block filter is a very effective method for removing dissolved contaminants.
Sediment pre-filters
Sediment pre-filters are used to remove dirt, scale, and rust from water. These filters are also called particulate filters. Their job is to reduce dirt and scale in water before it passes through other treatment systems like UV lights. Pre-filtering your water can help protect your water filter system and your water-using appliances. Here are some of the benefits of using a sediment filter.
Sediment pre-filters act like a screen door by sieving back particulate matter. They are very effective in removing sediment from water and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. A sediment filter is attached at the point of water entry and has a bed of natural media. This filter traps dirt, sand, and other unwanted particles and leaves clean water. In a water filter system, sediment filters play a crucial role in the initial stages of filtration.
Carbon block
A carbon block water filter system filters water through a combination of raw materials. The carbon is compressed and heated to approximately 900 0C. This releases impurities that are toxic at these high temperatures. The carbon is manufactured in molds with different types of binders. The process requires additional manufacturing time and labor, but results in a consistent filtration mechanism. Compression molding is advantageous because it allows for different shapes and extra design flexibility. Carbon block filters are produced using different raw materials, including bituminous coal, coconut shell, nutshells, and wood.
These filters are more effective than carbon bed filters, but they take longer to filter water. Although carbon bed filters may be the best choice for large-scale filtration, a carbon block filter provides enough filtered drinking water for most households. Carbon block filters use activated carbon to filter out a variety of impurities, and they are the only water filter that removes specific contaminants like lead and cysts. The carbon blocks are also available in sub-micron sizes, which allow them to eliminate many contaminants.