Recommendation points
- Filter jug
- Filters connected to the tap
- Desktop filters
- Flow-through filter systems
- Reverse osmosis system
- Coolers or purifiers
The article discusses the issue of purification of drinking water from suspended matter, chlorine, iron, heavy metals and other contaminants using installations built on the basis of replaceable filter elements. An overview of the types of cleaning systems available on the market, recommendations for choosing.
A large assortment of types and types of water filters allows you to select the most optimal water purification system based on them, based on cost, filtration quality, dimensions, working life and maintenance cost. The most common are the following types of filtering devices:
- Filter jug.
- Filters connected to the tap.
- Desktop filters.
- Simple flow-through filter systems.
- Reverse osmosis system.
- Coolers or purifiers.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of water treatment system.
Filter jug
A common method of installing water filter elements inside a jug is quite convenient and reliable. Its indisputable advantage is the absence of the need to connect the device to a water pipe.
Water purification occurs when water flows from the top of the jug to the bottom under the action of gravity. Filtration of 1.5 liters of water takes 3 to 10 minutes. Although the size of the filter element is small, the outlet water quality is quite high due to the long cleaning time..
Cleaning cartridges installed in the system belong to the category of multicomponent, their choice is made taking into account the properties of the water being purified.
To adapt to specific operating conditions, the filter jug โโcan be fitted with different types of filter cartridges. So, the company โBarrierโ for jugs of its own production offers the following types of filter elements:
- โStandardโ โ universal filter cartridge for tap water.
- โHardnessโ โ for softening and purifying hard water.
- โNevaโ is a cartridge for soft water, which purifies and enriches it with salts necessary for the body.
- โIronโ โ the element is characterized by an increased intensity of water purification from iron.
- โUltraโ โ water purification + increased antibacterial protection.
- โFluoride +โ โ in addition to purifying water, the cartridge enriches it with fluorine, which allows achieving a preventive effect in the fight against caries.
The advantage of this device is its relatively low cost, the disadvantage is weak filtration of suspended matter up to 50-80 microns.
Filters connected to the tap
Installations that are attached directly to the gander of the water tap have a higher cleaning speed. Such systems can constantly stand on the crane and turn on / off using an additional switch or put on the crane if necessary, and then remove from it.
The disadvantage of the multicomponent filter used in such systems is its low performance and short service life. The adaptation of the device to water is carried out similarly to the filter-jug, by replacing the multicomponent filter element.
Desktop filters
A more powerful analogue of filtering devices worn on a crane is its desktop version. Due to its heavy weight, it is difficult to put it directly on the tap, therefore, it is attached to the tap using a special adapter, from which tap water is supplied to the filter through an additional pipe.
The resource and power of this filter is enough to provide a small family with purified water, due to the increased dimensions of the filter element, the time required for water purification without losing its quality is reduced.
Flow-through filter systems
An almost ideal ratio of power and purification quality is possessed by flow-through filtering systems, consisting of two or more flasks, each of which contains a water-purifying cartridge.
The advantage of this type of filter element is the ability to hide it under the sink and thereby save significant space on the desktop. To use filtered water, an additional tap is installed on the sink, and an adapter with shut-off valves is installed on the water supply system.
The disadvantage of this type of filter is a significant drop in water pressure in the filtration system, therefore, flow filters are not suitable for water lines with low pressure in the system.
The most optimal is a triple filtration system, in which flasks are installed:
- Filter cartridge for mechanical water purification, removing various impurities 5 microns in size.
- Pressed activated carbon filter cartridge that removes chlorine and organic impurities.
- Multicomponent filter cartridge that performs additional purification of water from heavy metals and microorganisms, as well as provides additional purification of water from chlorine and iron.
The standard resource of such a purification system is approaching 5 thousand liters, which is quite enough to provide a large family with purified water for 2-3 months.
Reverse osmosis system
A comprehensive solution for ideal water purification โ a reverse osmosis system. It is suitable for processing industrial water into drinking water. The installation is located under the sink, to which a tap connected to a reservoir with purified water is brought out; additionally, flushing water is drained into the sewer system. The main filtering element of the system is a membrane impermeable to all molecules except water.
In order to extend the service life of an expensive membrane, the water supplied to it is preliminarily purified on a module similar to a direct-flow filter. This treatment allows you to remove from the water most of the substances that pollute the membrane and active chlorine, which causes its rapid destruction..
Even after such preparation, a large amount of impurities is retained on the membrane, so the reverse osmosis system automatically cleans the membrane with water. Pure water makes up about 30% of the volume of water consumed by the reverse osmosis unit. Ready-to-use water is collected in a special tank. To improve its taste, water purified with the help of a membrane undergoes additional filtration on a fine carbon filter and mineralizes, which gives it a pleasant taste.
Less often, an activator cartridge is additionally installed, which has a positive effect on the internal structure of water molecules. Since the pressure of the supplied water drops to a significant extent on all filter elements, a number of reverse osmosis systems include an additional pump.
Coolers or purifiers
The drinking water supply system with the help of a cooler is built on the basis of reverse osmosis, it contains similar internal elements, and therefore requires connection not only to the water supply system, but also to the sewage system. The only difference between a cooler or a purifier from a classic reverse osmosis system is that the entire water purification system is assembled in one case..
The cooler case can be installed both on the table and on the floor. A number of models provide for the possibility of not only purifying water, but also heating it, for which it must be connected to the power supply system.
Cleaning system type Mechanical cleaning depth Purification from impurities Productivity, l / min Minimum filter element resource, l Price, rub. Filter jug 60-80 microns average โ 300 400-500 Tap filter 40-60 ฮผm average 0.3-1 500-1000 200-700 Table filter 30-40 microns average 1-2 1000 700-1200 Flow filter 5-10 microns average 3-5 3000-5000 2000-3000 Reverse osmosis 1 micron high Storage tank 2000 9000-15000 Cooler 1 micron high Storage tank 2000 9000-22000 When choosing a water treatment system, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the supplied water. Preference should be given to options in which multi-component filter cartridges are installed that can effectively remove chlorine, iron, heavy metals, pesticides from water, and conduct water disinfection. The required performance of the water filtration plant directly depends on the needs for treated water, which on average is 2โ4 liters per day per person.
What are some factors to consider when choosing a water purification system with replaceable cartridge filters for home or office use?
What are the key factors to consider when selecting a water purification system with replaceable cartridges for home or office use?