What Are Water Filtration Systems & How Do They work?
Water filtration systems are physical filtration media that purify water from impurities by removing solid particles, contaminants, and other unwanted substances from the water.
Water filtration systems work by passing water through filters that trap contaminants. This procedure makes tap water contaminants-free and pure. Depending on the system type, this process involves multiple stages, each targeting specific impurities.
Based on the quality of water, and the amount of purified water needed, there are different types of water filters that people commonly use. Here are step-by-step details of what are water filtration systems and their types.
What is a water filter?
A water filter is a device designed to remove impurities. A filter’s material removes specific contaminants like bacteria, chemicals, and sediment from water. It works by passing water through a filtering material, using pressure-driven force to trap unwanted particles. During filtration, byproducts called ‘cake’ or ‘brine’ are managed as the system also handles leftover byproducts. Overall, it ensures leftover water is clean for drinking, cooking, and more.
Components Of A Water Filtration System
Understanding what are water filters made of is important if you understand their functions. A typical water filtration system consists of four core components, namely the filter medium, the liquid to be filtered, a driving force, and the filter apparatus. Confused? Here’s what each component means so you can understand what’s inside a water filter.
- Filter Medium: This is the material that separates impurities from the liquid. It comes in two types:
- Thin Barriers: These include cloth, screens, or filter papers with small openings to trap particles.
- Thick Barriers: Includes sand beds, porous ceramics, or metals that allow liquids to flow through while capturing particles in their small voids.
- Liquid with Impurities: This is the water containing the suspended solids that the system is designed to clean.
- Driving Force: The pressure that pushes water through the filter. It could be gravity, vacuum pressure, or centrifugal force, depending on the system type.
- Filter Apparatus: This holds everything together, facilitating filtration and handling byproducts like the ‘cake,’ which can clog filters and require cleaning.
How Does A Water Filter Work Step By Step?
The water filter process focuses on removing impurities so it uses the above-given components to do just that. So, how do water filtration systems work? The process relies on different filtration stages, each targeting specific contaminants. Here are the steps of the water filtering system’s working:
- Stage 1: Sediment Filtration
The process begins with sedimentation. In this, a coarse filter, such as a sand or mesh filter, traps impurities (dirt, sand, and debris) as the water flows through. It takes care of larger contaminants first to proceed further.
- Stage 2: Carbon Filtration (Adsorption for better smell and taste)
Next, the water passes through an activated carbon filter. This step removes smaller particles. It focuses on organic compounds, chlorine, and volatile substances. The carbon works like a magnet and adsorbs them onto its surface. This step also improves the taste and smell of the water.
- Stage 3: Reverse Osmosis (Absorption for pure water)
The water then goes through a reverse osmosis system. A semi-permeable membrane is used in this stage to filter out dissolved substances. All heavy metals, minerals, and harmful chemicals are removed and only clean water molecules are passed.
- Stage 4: Final Treatment
Finally, the filtered water undergoes disinfection. Techniques such as ultraviolet (UV) light or ozone treatment are used to eliminate any remaining bacteria or viruses. In the end, you get water that is safe to drink.
Different Types Of Water Filter Systems
Water filtration systems differ as they have different purpose in applications. They also remove specific types of contaminants. Here are five main types of water filter systems found in both residential and commercial settings:
1. Mechanical Water Filtering System
Mechanical filters are designed to remove solid particles from water. These filters are rated by their micron size. Microns indicate the smallest particle they can capture. For example, 5 microns filter particles visible to the naked eye whereas 1 micron removes smaller particles that can only be seen under a microscope. Some advanced systems come with 0.5 microns to capture harmful microorganisms like giardia and cryptosporidium.
2. Absorption Water Filtration System
The absorption system has filters that use materials like activated carbon to trap contaminants. These systems are good for removing bad tastes, odors, and certain chemicals. Advanced models use carbon blocks for more precise filtration. Some inexpensive filters even use materials like coconut shells or wood as an alternative source of carbon. They are called Granular activated carbon filters.
3. Sequestration Water Filtration System
Sequestration works by isolating minerals like calcium and magnesium. These are the main contaminations that cause scaling. The filters often use food-grade polyphosphates in small amounts to prevent buildup in pipes and appliances. This is why Sequestration is primarily a preventive measure for protecting equipment from corrosion. This system is ideal for hard water regions, though it doesn’t soften water. For softening, ion exchange methods are a better option.
4. Ion Exchange Water Filtration System
This method softens water by replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or hydrogen ions. It’s a popular choice in Canada as it reduces the limescale in areas with hard water. The filter has resin beads for the ion swap. For drinking water, hydrogen-based resins are preferred. You’ll find them in high-temperature applications like coffee machines.
5. Reverse Osmosis
RO systems use a semipermeable membrane to remove dissolved solids like calcium and magnesium. Water is forced through the membrane and contaminants get left behind. Reverse Osmosis is highly effective for purifying water and is often combined with other above-given filters for better results. It can be costly and wasteful but is ideal for very clean water.
Examples of Water Filtration Systems
Different types of filtered water systems ensure your water meets your specific needs. Here are some examples of water filtration you might’ve seen used in everyday life to improve water quality:
- Coffee Machine Water Filters: Coffee machines need water with specific minerals to extract the full flavour from coffee beans. These filters maintain the water’s quality and make brewing better.
- Drop-in Filters: These filters fit into specific water filter housings (typically sized 10″ or 20″). They’re easy to install and replace. At Watermart, we recommend these for people needing a simple filtration solution.
- Fridge Filters: Fridge filters clean the water used for drinking and ice-making. They’re common in modern refrigerators. They ensure the water is pure and safe directly from the fridge.
- Household Water Filter Systems: These systems remove bad taste and odors from tap water. They’re compact and easy to install under sinks. Instead of installing them yourselves. It’s better to let pros install it for fresh water every day.
- Inline Water Filters: Installed directly onto the water line, inline filters purify water before it reaches faucets or dispensers. They’re great for small spaces and eliminate common water issues like chlorine taste.
- Water Filters for Commercial Foodservice: Commercial kitchens use specialized filters to avoid limescale buildup. These filters maintain the quality of water used in cooking equipment.
Advantages of Using Filtration Systems
When it comes to improving your water quality, filtration systems make a big difference. Here are these benefits
- Removes 99.9% toxic chemicals and contaminants (there are over 2000 harmful substances in regular tap water)
- Improves health and skin conditions
- Boosts animal health and productivity
- Reduces bottled water usage and waste
- Extends appliance life
- Simple installation
Drawbacks of Water Filtering System
While beneficial, filtration systems have some drawbacks. Here are the disadvantages of water filtering system:
- High initial installation cost
- Removes beneficial chemicals like fluoride
- May not eliminate microscopic bacteria and viruses
Which filter Is Best For Drinking Water
Choosing the best filter depends on your water’s contaminants. Different filters target different issues. For example, some improve taste, others remove chemicals or germs. The right choice will further depend on the size of the contaminants, their electric charge, and the filter’s pore size.
The most effective option for drinking water is often a reverse osmosis (RO) filter. It removes a wide range of harmful substances. If you’re unsure, you can just combine filter system methods for better results. For example, Watermart’s RO systems use multiple processes like mechanical filtration and adsorption.
At Watermart, we offer reliable water filtration systems. We test the “hardness” of water in your area, this lets us know the contaminant level in the water. Then, we install a water filtration system best for your home or business. Just give us your budget and size estimate, and we’ll handle the rest.
Conclusion
In summary, understanding what is water filtration and how a water filter works is simple. You don’t have to improve your water quality by yourself, reach out to Watermart for a professional opinion. We have Water filtration systems of all sizes that can help remove impurities. Let us help you understand what a water filter does for the taste and smell of regular tap water! We make it easy to choose the right solution tailored to your needs and budget.
FAQs
No, a single filter can’t remove every harmful chemical as all are effective just for specific contaminants. The best way to remove all toxic chemicals is by combining different filters.
Yes, that’s the main purpose of water filters. They make undrinkable water “cleaner” and “healthier” for drinking.
They are used in many applications. For everyday applications, they are used to purify water and gases and reduce contamination. In industrial use, they protect equipment and improve efficiency in industries.
Pitcher filters are the cheapest. However, reverse osmosis systems are more cost-effective for removing a wider range of contaminants.
