Duro clean IF Mode D'emploi page 4

Section 2: Before Installation
Inspection and Handling Your Chemical Free Iron Filter
Inspect the equipment for any shipping damage. If damaged, notify the transportation company and request a damage
inspection. Damage to cartons should also be noted.
Handle the filter unit with care, Damage can result if it is dropped or set on sharp, uneven projection on the floor. Do not turn
the filter unit upside down. NOTE: If a severe loss in water pressure is observed when the filter unit is initially placed in
service, the filter tank may have been laid on its side during transit. If this occurs, backwash the filter to "reclassify" the
media. (see Page 5, Step 7).
Iron (Fe)
Iron concentrations as low as 0.3 ppm will cause staining. The iron concentration, together with the flow rate demand and the
consumption rate of the water, determines the basic size of the filter system. The higher these factors are, the larger the
required system. The filter system is capable of filtering out the three main types of iron found in water supplies: soluble iron
(also known as "clear water" or ferrous iron), precipitated iron (also known as "red water" or ferric iron) and bacterial iron
(also know as iron bacteria). There is no apparent upper limit of iron concentration for the filter but special care must be
taken when selecting a filter model if your water has a combination of high iron, very low pH and/or manganese.
Manganese (Mn)
The presence of manganese can be bothersome, even for a chemical free iron filter. As little as 0.05 ppm of manganese can
produce a brownish or black stain. The ability of the filter to remove manganese depends on its concentration and the pH of
the water.
Manganese tends to "coat" the filter media, rendering it incapable of increasing the pH and, therefore, ineffective in removing
either the iron or the manganese. Manganese, however, will precipitate in the filter bed when the pH is increased. To
accomplish this a special "M" type media that contains additional quantities of the pH raising component ("MpH adder") can
be provided. The use of "M" type media is for applications where the manganese is not more than 1.5 ppm, and the pH is 6.0
or higher. (When the pH is below 6.0 or higher. (When the pH is below 6.0, consult your dealer.)
pH
The pH of water measures its acidity or its alkalinity. Water with a pH of less than 7.0 is acidic, above 7.0 is alkaline, and 7.0
is neutral. The lower the pH value is below 7.0, the greater the acidity and the higher the pH value is above 7.0, the more
alkaline. Acidic water (pH less than 7.0) is corrosive to pipes, appliances, etc. A pH of 7.0 or higher facilitates iron removal -
which is why the filter is designed to increase the pH when it is less than 7.0.
The pH increasing component of the media is "sacrificial". That is, it slowly dissolves during the process of increasing pH.
The rate at which this occurs is proportional to the pH increase and the water consumption rate (i.e. the greater the pH
increase and the water consumption, the greater the sacrificial rate). Thus, when the pH is increased to 8.2 or more as is
necessary when manganese is present, the sacrificial rate is even greater. Under the most severe conditions, the MpH
component of the media may have to be replenished two to four times per year. On the other hand, if the raw water pH is 7.0
or above and no manganese is present, the sacrificial rater is very slight.
2