Zeolite filter media offers advantages over conventional sand and multimedia filters. It has higher solids loading capacity and filtration performance at higher flow rates. Zeolite media requires less backwash water than other media. The document provides details on the crystal structure of zeolite and presents data comparing the performance and specifications of zeolite media to sand and multimedia in tables. Applications for zeolite media include drinking water treatment, pre-filtration for RO, and industrial wastewater filtration.
Zeolite filter media offers advantages over conventional sand and multimedia filters. It has higher solids loading capacity and filtration performance at higher flow rates. Zeolite media requires less backwash water than other media. The document provides details on the crystal structure of zeolite and presents data comparing the performance and specifications of zeolite media to sand and multimedia in tables. Applications for zeolite media include drinking water treatment, pre-filtration for RO, and industrial wastewater filtration.
Zeolite filter media offers advantages over conventional sand and multimedia filters. It has higher solids loading capacity and filtration performance at higher flow rates. Zeolite media requires less backwash water than other media. The document provides details on the crystal structure of zeolite and presents data comparing the performance and specifications of zeolite media to sand and multimedia in tables. Applications for zeolite media include drinking water treatment, pre-filtration for RO, and industrial wastewater filtration.
Zeolite filter media offers advantages over conventional sand and multimedia filters. It has higher solids loading capacity and filtration performance at higher flow rates. Zeolite media requires less backwash water than other media. The document provides details on the crystal structure of zeolite and presents data comparing the performance and specifications of zeolite media to sand and multimedia in tables. Applications for zeolite media include drinking water treatment, pre-filtration for RO, and industrial wastewater filtration.
Zeolite filter media offers advantages over Fig 1. Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) crystal conventional sand, sand & anthracite or structure. multimedia for gravity flow or pressure vessel beds. Historically, natural zeolite mineral deposits were discovered in the 1950’s and zeolite has been quary, mined, crushed, air-dying and sieve sized to produce commercial products for >30 yrs. Natural zeolite (Clinoptilolite) is crystalline, aluminum oxide/silicn oxide classified as a crystalline, molecular sieve, mineral consisting of hydrated Ca2 (Na2 or K2) Al8Si28O72•24 H2O (Fig. I). Most zeolite deposits are low quality and can’t be used as molecular sieve beds or water filtration media. Zeolite has been used for water softening and to remove NH-4 ion using slow flow rates (1-2 gpm/ft2) and Na-ion regeneration cycles. Since 1985 numerous technical and engineering studies have demonstrated the utility of zeolite mineral sand/anthracite or multimedia and is competitive as an effective water filter media. with fine sand (Table I).
Zeolite Filter Media ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS
-Cost-effective replacement for sand, garnet
ChemSorb Filter Granules is a high quality, granular, zeolite filter media that achieves & multimedia. superior filtration & solids loading compared to -Lower DP for a given flow rate (gpm/ft2). conventional filter media. The zeolite media is -Highest solids loading reduces backwash from a unique, mineral deposit in the western frequency.. USA having high porosity, hardness, high -Superior filtration performance at high flux surface area (~28m2/gm) and surface, micro- rates. mineral, projections that make it an ideal water -Requires less backwash water. filtration media (fig 2 & 3).. The 14 x 40 mesh filter media has a dry bulk wt.55 lb/ft3 & is attrition resistant. The zeolite mineral is APPLICATIONS classified under 21CFR Part 182.2729 & 40 CFR Part 180. as GRAS (Generally Recognized • Bottle water & drinking water plants. As Safe) and is NSF Standard 61 Listed. • Economical pre-filter for RO.membranes. • Well water & Industrial wastewater Advantages of Zeolite Media filtration. • Cooling tower, chillers, heat exchanger This zeolite filter media removes finer particles water filtration.. and has higher solids loading capacity vs Tables II, III & IV list the zeolite media service flow rates & specifications for water filters.
1 Figure 2. High magnification (SEM) photomicrograph showing micro-crystal structures (0.2- 0.9µ spacing) on the surface of the zeolite granules.
Figure 3. Photomicrograph (SEM) showing the relatively flat, minimal, surface structure of a sand particle.
2 Table I. Comparison of Zeolite vs Sand & Multimedia Service Flow Rates, Performance & Backwash Water Requirements.
FILTER SERVICE SOLIDS NOMINAL BACKWASH
MEDIA FLOW RATES LOADING FILTRATION WATER/CYCLE RATING4
Sand 6-9 gpm/ft2 Low 20µ X gal
(20 x 40 mesh)
Fine Sand1 10-17 gpm/ft2 Low <5µ ~0.80-0.85X
(~0.2mm)
Multimedia 12-18 gon/ft2 Moderate ~15µ 1-1.1.2X
Zeolite2 Standard Design 12-20 gpm/ft2 High 0.70-0.75X <5µ 3 Conical Design 15-25 gpm/ft2 <High <5µ 0.45-0.50X
1 Vortisand (Sonitec, Quebec, Canada) use a fine sand in the Vortisand design, pressure vessels. 2 ChemSorbFilter Granules, 14 x 40 mesh zeolite filter media. 3 Intercepter vessel design, PEP Filters, Mooresville, NC 28117-9920. 4 Electronic & laser scatter sizing analysis statistics variability increases dramatically in the 1-4µ range, hence the data are reported as <5µ, which is considered a practical resolution limit for particle sizing.
20 gpm/ft2 63 98 142 used for higher 25 gpm/ft2 78 123 178 flow rates. TANK Dia. → 24” 30” 36” 6 Interceptor vessel design, PEP Filters, Mooresville, NC 28117-9920. Surface area 3.14 ft2, 4.91 ft2, 7.1 ft2 for 24”, 30” & 36” respectfully.
Table IV. Gravity Flow Zeolite Media Bed Design Specifications.
FILTER BED SERVICE FLOW RATE (gpm)
7 FLUX RATE
2 gpm/ft2 9 21 38 59 85 150 340
4 gpm/ft2 9 21 38 59 85 150 340
TANK Dia. → 12” 18” 24” 30” 36” 48” 72”
7 The standard zeolite filter media bed depth is 3 ft. Reducing bed height proportionally reduces the solids loading capacity & increases the backwash frequency.
