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AquaZEL Filtration Media
AquaZEL - Clinoptilolite is an aluminosilicate mineral of the Zeolite mineral group. The calcium form of the mineral is an effective water filtration medium and is
replacing sand as the medium of choice in both domestic and municipal applications worldwide.
Contamination of water takes on the following forms:
Particulate; Colloidal Ionic
Natural Clinoptilolite is most effective as a filtering medium in all three of these areas of concern.
Because of Clinoptilolites unique 'cage-like' molecular structure, Clinoptilolite filter beds are rich in macro-, meso- and micro-pores. Clinoptilolite has an
effective capacity to absorb and adsorb positively charged ions, molecules and particles. As a result of this, a Clinoptilolite bed removes contaminants both by physical separation and by the chemical cation adsorption
mechanism. Natural Clinoptilolite has a particularly high affinity for ammonia ions, with adsorption capacity of 8-12 g/kg.
The Clinoptilolite also acts to buffer the pH, minimising fluctuations and the need for corrective action. The Clinoptilolite tuff acts as a filter medium to remove
dirt and colloids from water. It retains a greater volume of dirt than a sand filter, so the frequency of backwashing to clean the filter and remove dirt is less. Due to the lower density of natural Clinoptilolite compared to
sand, backwash rates must be reduced compared to those used for sand. Clinoptilolite absorbs metal ions as well as ammonia, and so can reduce the water hardness. Where other types of media simply achieve separation of
particulate matter, it is in the area of meso- and micro-filtration that Clinoptilolite shows additional benefits:
High specific surface area. The Clinoptilolite is ground to a particle size range 0.5-2.0 mm. It has a surface area of 20-50 m2/g whereas the internal surface
is several hundreds of m2 per gram of material. The total pore volume is 0.33 cm3/g. The structure of Clinoptilolite is unaffected by either acidic or alkaline media. Volume of pores smaller than 7.8 mm are 0.1 cm3/g. Pores above 7.5 mm are 0.23 cm3/g. The filter is long lasting. Filters are much more easily 'back-washed', i.e. longer cycle times are possible. Contaminants are trapped down to the molecular level – binding capacity is high. Less water is used for back-flushing – as much as 20% less. Pressure drop is smaller. Bacteria, algae and phyto-planktons can be removed.
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