The Water Filtration Process: Why it is a Necessity
Water in its basic form contains a mixture of unwanted substances in it.
These can be harmful if left unchecked, hence it is important to have a water filtration system that cleanses the water of all its impurities. Prevention is better than cure, and water filters will help you avoid all the problems that come with contaminated water.
We listed below a few filtration systems that will help you enjoy the water in its purest and healthiest form.
Water Filters: A Brief Summary
Systems that flush out the impurities mixed with water are known as water filters. The majority of us typically use water supplied by the municipal authorities. Although the water provided by these suppliers is usually treated for our safe consumption, different substances such as chlorine used in the process can give water an unpleasant taste and odor.
A lime formation may also occur which can damage certain appliances. These are just a few of the concerns that can be avoided with a water filtration system, so how do they work?
A water filter traps or cleanses all the contaminants present in the water as it flows through the filter. This makes the water safe to drink, and use for many other household purposes such as cooking food. As for how they work, different purification systems use different processes. Here are some popular systems available in the market:
The Mechanical Filtration System
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This filtration system uses a water barrier to separate all physical particles present in the water stream. The filter can be anything from a mesh to a ceramic filter for ultra-fine filtration.
These filters come with a micron rating that suggests how efficiently they will work in removing unwanted particles. This rating also represents the capacity of the filter. It is worth noting that very small particles and chemical compounds may not be captured in the mechanical filter.
The Absorption Filtration System
Carbon is the main component of this filtration system, as it is known for its internal surface filled with microscopic pores and pits, capable of capturing all the chemical components mixed with water.
Block carbon filters come with a micron rating and are more effective at absorbing these elements, giving the water a fresh and odorless taste. These filters can be created by using natural substances such as wood, as well as coconut shells which are more expensive than the other alternatives.
However, these systems have a limit to their capacity of filtration, and some chemicals not attracted to carbon may not be trapped.
The Ion Exchange Filtration System
When water contains a lot of metallic compounds it is known as hard water. The ion exchange filtration system swaps the metallic ions and replaces them with harmless hydrogen and sodium ions. Physically removing all hard minerals present in water, ion exchange is perfect if you need to keep water in a constant high-temperature environment.
This process is carried out using ion-exchange resins that come in the shape of small beads. The sodium ions need periodical charging which can be done by sending the system to the supplier if the filter is a Calcium Treatment Unit (CTU). The alternative method is to replace it with a new filter if you do not want to spend time charging your existing filter.
These, however, are not applicable in drinking water filters as sodium is going to increase the sodium levels in the water. This makes the hydrogen ion exchange resins the better option for these filters.
The Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
If you are looking to add a water filter to your kitchen appliances, then this may be the perfect system to install. Reverse osmosis (RO) cleans the water of all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other forms of inorganic matter. It does so by pushing the water through a semipermeable membrane at high pressure that leaves all the contaminants behind and lets the clean water pass.
This process may also involve mechanical and absorption filters so that the water is received with as few contaminants as possible. Although a lot of water is wasted in the process, no electricity is required and the filtered water is 99% pure. Water from RO is also good for drinking and some filters add a healthy amount of minerals before dispensing the water to you. Reverse Osmosis is also used in various industries (in the beverage industry for example) due to the purity of the water produced.
The Sequester Filtration System
Worried about the compounds mixed with the water you are using? Sequestration is the process of chemically isolating substances. This means that substances that build up limescale and corrosion such as calcium and magnesium are stopped from doing so. This, however, does not soften the water and just focuses on keeping the minerals in the solution, preventing scale from building up on surfaces the water comes in contact with.
This water is not suitable to use for all kinds of work due to the presence of minerals in the solution and will be unpleasant to drink due to its odor and taste.
In Conclusion
The filtration process is just as important to water as the liquid is to our lives. If the water is untreated then it can create a huge problem for us such as diseases from chemicals and bacteria. With 75% of the world being covered in water and our bodies consisting of up to 60% water, it is not a surprise that a good water supply is crucial for our everyday lives.
The better the water, the better our lives. We hope this article has been helpful to you in finding the filtration system you need.
