How to choose a filter from iron in water for a summer residence

Peculiarities

You will have to look for an underground source, reduce the concentration of ferrous and ferric iron at home yourself. To prevent problems associated with the presence of iron salts in water, plastic pipes should be used during well construction.With autonomous water supply of a country house, it is best to use an artesian well or well.

For the final selection of the source, you must first carefully examine the neighboring houses or summer cottages

To ensure good water quality, pay attention to the location of an outdoor toilet on a neighboring property and the proximity of a pit latrine

Sometimes, despite the money spent on drilling an artesian well, a brick-red liquid with a very unpleasant smell of a rotten egg flows out of the tap in the morning; This means that iron removal is necessary. Its excess is harmful to the body, it can disrupt the transfer of oxygen, cause a serious illness - hemochromatosis, lead to the destruction of the liver, heart muscle, blood diseases, exacerbation of diabetes, joint problems.

Before choosing a cleaning method, you need to do a chemical and bacteriological analysis of water. The easiest to remove is ferrous and trivalent iron. Divalent dissolves well and reveals itself only when water is settled in the form of a yellowish precipitate on the walls of the vessel. When exposed to strong oxidizing agents, it attaches one oxygen atom and becomes trivalent - the well-known rust, which is easy to remove by ordinary filtration.

Organic or bacterial is much worse removed. Outwardly, it looks like black jelly with an unpleasant odor and a high content of iron bacteria. Sometimes in this mass there are separate threads of blue-green algae.

The main types of devices according to the principle of operation

If we take as a basis the composition of impurities that are capable of retaining filters, then there are such types of mini-cleaning stations.

Mechanical coarse and fine cleaning

In any well or well there is sand, rust flakes and clay particles. To rid the liquid of insoluble particles and install mechanical filters. It is not worth neglecting the need to install them, especially when it comes to highly contaminated liquid.

The main blow is taken by coarse filters. It traps insoluble particles. The water passing through them enters the plumbing.

Coarse mechanical filters become dirty over time and cope with the task more slowly; as they fill up, they must be rinsed

Mechanical filters, designed to free water from particles of rust, sand and other solid impurities, are of three types:

• Mesh - in the form of cellular grids ranging in size from 50 to 500 microns. On sale there are disposable devices that have to be replaced as they fill up, and self-washing devices equipped with an automatic cleaning system.
• Cartridge - are replaceable cartridges placed in plastic or steel cases that are capable of holding particles as small as 0.5 microns.
• Pressure - structures in the form of anti-corrosion containers, inside which a filter material is placed, equipped with a drainage pipe and a control unit.

Self-flushing strainers are often equipped with pressure control valves to protect equipment from sudden surges and pressure gauges to measure pressure.

Cartridge devices perfectly capture not only small particles of rust and sand, but also substances of a viscous structure - softened clay, mud and algae

In the water that has undergone passage through a mechanical coarse filter, in any case, chemical compounds and heavy metals remain. Fine filters cope with them. They are able to retain particles whose size does not exceed 5 microns.

If the opportunity allows, then when arranging a drinking water supply system, it is better to install both devices: both coarse and fine cleaning

The membrane devices described above are among the fine filters.

Adsorption cleaning device

The main purpose of adsorbent filters is to combat unpleasant tastes and odors resulting from organic contaminants. They protect the body from heavy metals, chloride compounds and pathogens. The scheme of such devices can include from two to four modules.

The adsorption cleaning device consists of a fiberglass tank, inside of which activated carbon with a high adsorption capacity is placed.

The efficiency and rate of adsorption depends on three parameters:

• concentrations of pollutants;
• sorbent structures;
• active reaction of the environment.

The key to the effectiveness of the sorption process is the exclusion of water from entering the pores of activated carbon, the suspended substances of which are able to shield them. Coal that has lost its ability to sorption is regenerated or replaced.

Ion exchange water filter

The main purpose of this type of device is to capture heavy metals and radioactive elements from water.Due to the removal of excess calcium and magnesium ions from the aquatic environment, the device perfectly softens the water.

An ion-exchange filter is a module with a plastic or steel case, inside of which a block filled with hydrogen resins is placed.

Hydrogen and ion exchange resins are able to absorb some metal ions from a salt solution, replacing them with hydrogen or other metal ions. The resulting composition has a slightly acidic environment, which is most favorable for the human body.

Thanks to multi-stage filtration, the outlet produces water with a neutral pH level, which is free of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals (+)

The only drawback of the devices is the need to install regeneration tanks, as well as the disposal of used components.

Basic cleaning methods

There are a number of technologies that are used to remove iron impurities from water. About their features, strengths, weaknesses and effectiveness further.

Ion exchange filters

The most popular method of removing iron, which involves the use of specialized installations.

The devices are devices consisting of a housing filled with ion-exchange granular resin and a control unit.

The purification principle is based on the ability of cations to trap divalent metal compounds. The filter material has a unique molecular structure, so the ions in the molecules are not held firmly.

Devices are classified as multifunctional, since they soften water, remove almost all mineral impurities. There are no cons in terms of efficiency, the price is above average.

Reverse osmosis systems

The filter is designed to remove iron, includes a membrane through which liquid is supplied under pressure. The holes at the membrane are small, they block the molecules of substances dissolved in the liquid (only the H2O structure remains). Harmful impurities and minerals are removed from the water.

There are many disadvantages of the systems:

• low throughput;
• significant raw material losses;
• obtaining at the exit of "dead" water.

The latter problem can be solved by remineralization.

Read more about choosing a reverse osmosis filter here.

electromagnetic

Such processing is carried out in several stages.

1. The first is the effect of ultrasound.
2. The second is the electromagnetic field.

The liquid is then passed through a quartz sand filter, which traps the iron oxides, previously separated by a magnetic field. The method is effective, but rather complicated and expensive.

Electrochemical aeration

The technique involves the supply of air flow into the water and the oxidation of iron.

Free-flow aeration is the simplest option; in this case, the liquid is sprayed at the top of the tank.

During the fall down, it is actively saturated with oxygen molecules, they dissolve ferrous iron to ferric.

The newly formed molecular structures settle to the bottom of the working container. The sediment is carried away by the water flow into a mechanical filter. If pressure type aeration is used, oxygen will be forced under pressure.

catalytic oxidation

The water purified from iron is passed through the loading layers, then it is treated with the use of sorbents, oxidation catalysts or compositions of Burm, Pyrolox.

The trivalent iron remains on the loading layers.All associated pollutants disappear from the liquid - hydrogen sulfide, manganese. Not a bad way to use in a private home.

Ozonation

Liquid treatment method with sodium hydrochloride and potassium permanganate. The technology is indispensable at industrial facilities, it is also used in everyday life. First, the ferruginous precipitate falls out, then it is captured by filters, and eventually the water is ozonized.

The technology is quite sparing and effective, retains the original mineral composition.

How do iron water filters work?

As we found out, special filters must be used to purify water from iron. It is immediately necessary to understand how they are arranged and how they work. Of course, the principle of operation of the filter depends on which filter device you choose and what type it will be.

Consider options for wells. If you choose a well filter, it will most likely work on a cation exchange basis. The essence of the filter is simple and depends on what kind of iron is contained in your water. If your water contains ferrous iron, which is very common in underground sources, then you need just such a filter. The essence of the filter for a well is to make ferrous iron ferric. The trivalent iron is in the form of flakes, and therefore it precipitates and remains in the filter. This sediment is then drained into the sewer using a filter drainage system. And thus iron in our water does not remain at all.

If the water already contains ferric iron, then you do not need to buy such a filter. You can buy a regular mechanical filter.That is, ferric iron is rust flakes, in order to remove them, a fine mesh will be enough. This is what a mechanical water filter looks like. It is cheap and does not require any special maintenance procedures.

As we can see, the importance of water analysis is shown here. After all, with the help of the above signs, you will not be able to understand what kind of iron is present in your water.

The analysis will show this almost one hundred percent. It is on what kind of iron is contained in the water that the choice of a filtering device will depend.

Then it may make sense for the well to install a combined filter. That is, a filter that would filter not only iron, but also other substances. However, only water analysis can show the need for such a filter. Therefore, if a water analysis has shown that the content of any other substances in your water is exceeded, then it is best to immediately choose a combined filter. So you can choose a set of filter elements depending on the quality of your water.

Types of iron removal systems

First you need to determine the degree of water pollution and in what form the iron is in the water.

There are the following types:

• elemental, in undissolved form;
• 2-valent, in dissolved form;
• 3-valent, in undissolved form;
• organic, which is divided into: colloidal, in the form of insoluble very small particles contained in water in suspension, do not settle and give it turbidity; bacterial; soluble organic

For an elementary check, it is enough to pour water into a glass and let it stand for several hours.

• The trivalent iron will show itself as a rusty precipitate.
• Divalent will give the water a cloudy red color.
• Bacterial forms an iris on the surface.

Reagentless Filtration

Does not involve the use of chemicals. Water purification from excess iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide occurs with the help of natural sorbents, which provide the oxidation reaction of dissolved iron.

These filters eliminate:

1. turbidity,
2. color,
3. remove suspended particles
4. sand,
5. ill.

Reagentless filters have the function of automatic self-cleaning by backwashing the filter sorbent.

Reagent cleaners

Recommended for water treatment with a high degree of pollution.

Their work is based on the use of chemical reagents that significantly accelerate the oxidation process and the formation of ferric iron.

Such filters are equipped with a special tank for preparing the regeneration solution.

Actively used such types of reagents as:

• sodium hydrochloride;
• potassium permanganate or "potassium permanganate".

The precipitate is removed by mechanical filtration. According to the cleaning method, the following types of filters can also be distinguished.

Bulk type

Bulk-type filters operating on the basis of catalytic loadings, where the cleaning process takes place due to various fillers and sorbents.

In the operation of these treatment systems, one type or several fillers of different composition can be used, which are stacked in layers and provide comprehensive water purification not only from iron, but also from other impurities.

reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis filters, which are based on the passage of liquid under pressure through a membrane that has minimal gaps that only water molecules can pass through.

Almost all other elements are successfully filtered.Therefore, water approaches in its properties to distilled water and, in the case of domestic use, requires additional mineralization.

Using electromagnets

Filters using electromagnets, which are based on the treatment of water with ultrasound, which leads to the coagulation of iron and greatly facilitates its removal with the help of various sorbents.

Depending on the model, these devices may include:

• solenoid electromagnet,
• permanent magnet.

Aeration

Aeration iron removal devices operate on the principle of ferrous iron oxidation with the help of air.

These filters use two methods of saturating water with oxygen:

• non-pressure aeration, when water receives oxygen in the process of spraying;
• pressurized, when oxygen is supplied to the water under pressure.

Ion exchange filters

Systems operating on the basis of ion-exchange resins: anion exchange resin or cation exchange resin. Such systems can be classified as multifunctional, because they are used:

• to remove salts and soften liquids;
• to reduce the content of iron, manganese and other metals that are in an undissolved state.

adsorption systems

They work on the basis of adsorbents, which can be:

• ash,
• clay,
• coconut shell,
• shungite,
• other artificial or natural materials.

The most popular filler is activated carbon, an environmentally friendly adsorbent with excellent filtering qualities.

Norms of iron in water and its varieties

For the organization of autonomous water supply of houses, domestic wells are used, the depth of which can reach 200 m.The casing string of deep (artesian) sources reaches the calcareous rock and rests on it, the water raised up has a crystal clear appearance without impurities of sand and clay.

However, in most cases, artesian wells, due to the high pressure of the earth layers on the water basins from which water is taken, provide water with high salinity. It may contain hydrogen sulfide, oxides of potassium, manganese and iron. The last element occurs more often than others in high concentration and has the most negative effect on the technical characteristics and ecological purity of water.

Sometimes iron comes across in shallower borehole sources on sand or in well water, but in most of these cases its percentage is significantly lower than in artesian wells, and water treatment methods can be completely different.

The norms established by the sanitary services do not allow the use of water with an iron content of more than 0.3 mg per liter for drinking purposes. If this standard is exceeded, water purification from iron is required using one of several technologies, depending on the concentration and chemical formula of the metal.

With domestic water intake from artesian wells drilled in a country house or the territory of an individual cottage, the consumer may encounter the following forms of iron in the composition of water:

Bivalent. Free ferrous iron Fe2+ is completely water soluble, therefore its presence cannot be determined visually, the criterion can be the smell and taste of water.After settling, soluble Fe2+ as a result of a chemical reaction with oxygen contained in the atmospheric air, turns into insoluble trivalent iron oxide Fe3+.

During water treatment, the solubility of divalent Fe2+ is taken into account and such water is not purified by mechanical methods. A number of technologies for purifying water from iron from a well consists in intensive saturation of water masses with oxygen until the metal is converted into a soluble precipitate and then further filtered.

Rice. 2 Appearance of water with iron

trivalent. As mentioned above, ferric iron Fe3 + is formed after the oxidation of ferrous, it gives the water a reddish color and leaves a coating on plumbing equipment and utensils. Usually it is possible to get rid of the red color with the help of flowing carbon filters.

There are other forms of iron present in water in the form of suspensions: bicarbonate Fe(HCO₃)₂, carbonate FeCO₃, sulfide FeS and sulfate FeSO₄ iron, however, these compounds are not often found in artesians, have a low concentration and are filtered out in any water treatment methods.

Visually, by smell and taste, it is impossible to determine the presence of the listed reagents in water due to their low percentage, the desired data is obtained by laboratory after chemical analysis of the sample taken.

Rust Fe(OH)₃. The well-known rust is formed as a result of the interaction of water with iron contained in alloys (steel), in the open air, it consists of ferric oxide Fe₂O₃ and metahydroxide Fe(OH)₃. Since the compounds in the composition of rust are water insoluble, it is easily separated by mechanical filters as a result of water treatment.

Colloidal.Colloidal iron of organic origin is found in water in the form of very fine suspended particles no larger than 0.1 microns in size; it cannot be settled and removed by household carbon water treatment filters. Purification of the aquatic environment from such small colloidal fractions is possible only with using a reverse osmosis system.

Bacterial. These compounds in the aquatic environment are associated with the presence of bacterial colonies, which transform the divalent insoluble form of Fe2+ into the trivalent form during their vital activity. Bacteria form a dense iridescent film on the water surface, impart viscosity to the water structure, make it unsuitable for drinking due to an unpleasant odor and bad taste. As in the case of Fe3+, water purification from insoluble bacterial iron can be carried out using household mechanical filters.

Rice. 3 Consequences of using water with a high concentration of iron

Methods for deironing water

Iron can be found in water in several forms:

• compounds with other chemicals, does not precipitate;
• divalent, water-soluble, precipitates when reacting with oxygen;
• trivalent, insoluble in water, gives it a yellowish color, when reacted with oxygen, forms a precipitate in the form of flakes.

Depending on the predominant type of iron and its concentration, different methods of water treatment will be effective. The valency and amount of iron in water are determined using laboratory tests; accurate results cannot be obtained at home.

Filtration methods from ferrous iron

The following cleaning methods are effective against this form of metal:

1. Ionic.The essence of the method lies in the fact that special ion-exchange substances in the filter cartridge react with impurities contained in the water. Sodium systems are usually used for water treatment. The method is effective when the amount of iron in water is up to 3 mg/l, at a higher concentration it is practically ineffective.
2. Reverse osmosis. The essence of reverse osmosis technology is the passage of water under pressure through a partially permeable membrane from a solution of a higher concentration to a solution with a lower one. The pore diameter of the membrane is smaller than the size of the iron atoms, so they cannot pass through it, and are washed down the drain. This method is effective at iron concentrations up to 15 mg/l. However, reverse osmosis filters remove not only Fe, but also other substances, some of which are useful and necessary for the body. Therefore, filtered water is recommended to be subjected to additional mineralization.
3. Aeration. Actually, this option can not even be called cleaning. Interacting with oxygen, ferrous iron simply turns into trivalent iron, which is already easier to remove. A special case of aeration will be the usual settling of water in an open container. In addition to this method, the separation of water into many small jets by spouting or shower-like devices is also used; use injectors or ejectors for water-gas dispersion; air is passed through water under pressure. But as an independent method of water deironing, aeration is rarely used, usually it is only one of the stages of multi-stage purification.

Methods for removing ferric iron

The methods of water purification mentioned above are effective for the trivalent form of the metal only at its low concentration.At high content levels, mechanical filters are used, which retain impurities simply due to the small size of the cells.

We purify water without special devices

If there is no purification system at hand, and water of acceptable quality is needed, then it remains to use a few simple, but not 100% effective methods.

Homemade filter

To do this, a large bottle with a volume of 4-5 liters or more is cut off the bottom, and a small hole is made in the lid. Next, layers from bottom to top place:

• fabric, gauze, cotton wool;
• charcoal;
• washed river sand.

The filtration rate will be small, the water will still have to be boiled, but in the absence of more advanced devices, such a home-made design will also be useful.

Long boil

With this method, everything is simple - boil water for at least 10-15 minutes. At high temperatures, iron compounds precipitate. But although the water is purified, scale quickly forms on the walls of the boiling container.

Freezing

Water is frozen in any suitable container by about half, after which the unfrozen residue is poured out, and the ice is thawed and used for drinking or cooking.

settling

The water is left in a container with an open lid for about a day, after which, carefully, so as not to shake the sediment, it is drained to use about 70% of the water, the rest is used for household needs

Purification from mechanical impurities

The water that flows in our plumbing contains grains of sand, fragments of rust, metal, windings, etc. These impurities are called mechanical.Their presence has a bad effect on the durability of valves (faucets, valves, etc.) and household appliances. Therefore, in apartments and private houses they put filters at the entrance to remove them. There are few types of filters for water purification from mechanical impurities. This is with mesh and discs as filter elements.

The most common filter for removing mechanical impurities in water

The filter element in mechanical filters is a mesh. According to the cell size, these filters are divided into coarse (300–500 microns) and fine (larger than 100 microns) devices. They can stand in a cascade - first coarse cleaning (mud), then fine. Often a coarse filter is placed at the inlet to the pipeline, and devices with a smaller cell are placed in front of a household appliance, since different equipment may require different degrees of water purification.

According to the orientation of the flask in which the filter element is installed, they are straight and oblique. Oblique ones create less hydraulic resistance, therefore they are most often installed. During installation, the direction of flow must be observed, it is indicated by an arrow on the body.

Mechanical filter

There are two types of mechanical filters - with and without auto-flushing. Devices without autoflush are small in size, their inlet / outlet diameters are selected according to the dimensions of the pipe in which they are installed. Body material - stainless steel or brass, threaded connections - different (external or internal threads are selected as needed). The cost of this type of mechanical filters is low - in the region of hundreds of rubles, although branded ones can cost much more.

Mechanical filters without backwash: straight and oblique

Since the screens get clogged and need to be cleaned periodically, the lower part of the flask is removable.If necessary, it is unscrewed, removed and washed with a mesh, then everything is returned back (all work is carried out after shutting off the water).

Mesh with autowash

A mechanical filter with auto-washing (self-cleaning) has a branch pipe and a tap in the lower part of the flask with a filter element. The branch pipe is discharged into the sewer with a hose or a piece of pipe. If it is necessary to rinse such a filter, simply open the tap. Water under pressure flushes the contents into the sewer, the tap closes, you can continue to operate.

Types of mechanical water filters with flushing

This type of mechanical water filter often contains a pressure gauge. It determines whether the grid is clogged or not. The pressure is low - it's time to clean the filter. If the flask of the device is transparent, there may not be a pressure gauge - you can determine by the appearance of the grid or the walls of the flask. In this segment, oblique water filters are rare, but still there are.

A pressure reducing valve can be integrated into the housing to neutralize pressure differences. There are models with the possibility of installing an auto-flushing unit.

Installation example of a mechanical filter with auto-cleaning

Tying this type of mechanical filter is a little more complicated - it needs to be drained into the sewer, but there are also models with different types of threads so that you can use as few adapters as possible.

Connection types

Mechanical cleaning filters can be sleeved, they can be flanged. Flanged - this is usually main equipment for water pipes with high pressure and diameters. It can be used in the device of water supply of a private house.

Flanged strainers

Disc (ring) filters

This type of equipment is less common, although it is less prone to silting, has a large filtration area, and can retain particles of different sizes.

The filter element is a set of polymer discs, on the surface of which depressions-scratches of different depths are applied. The discs in the assembled state are tightly pressed against each other, water passes through the hollows in the discs, while particles of a larger diameter settle on them. The movement of water is spiral, so that suspensions are removed efficiently.

Disc water filter

When the water filter becomes clogged, the discs are removed from the housing, moved apart and washed. After that, put in place. Periodically, the discs must be replaced, the service life of the filter element depends on the amount of contamination and the quality of the discs themselves. There are models with autowash.

Mounted in a pipe break, the flask can be directed up or down (see installation instructions).

Well cleansing

To clean the liquid from the well, you can use a hand-made aerator or shungite. The aerator converts iron-containing impurities into an insoluble precipitate that settles at the bottom of the well.

The device is able to function all year round, purifying the liquid and protecting it from harmful microorganisms. It is installed in a plastic case, which can be used as a regular 10 liter canister, the top will need to be cut off. Several holes are made in the bottom of the case, condensate will drain through them, and the device itself and the carrier are attached to the inner wall.

Now you need to put the cut off part of the canister back on and pull the cord through the neck. Do not close the hole - air must circulate inside the canister.Parts of the case are fastened with construction tape, after which the container is lowered into the well. The parts of the device that should be in the liquid and the ultrasonic machine are lowered separately. The system is connected to the network by means of a 6A machine.

The cleansing process takes 5-7 days. You can use such a liquid when the characteristic smell disappears, and it becomes completely transparent.

To remove iron from water, you can use mechanical, biological or chemical methods. Before choosing any of them, you should conduct a fluid test by contacting the appropriate organization, since the effectiveness of each method depends on the amount and composition of impurities contained in the water.

Do you need a coarse cleaning system?

A wide range of filters of various organizations allows you to choose the best option for each specific case.

Coarse cleaning involves the retention of large impurities. Preventing the ingress of mechanical impurities does not affect the entry into the water supply:

• chlorine
• pathogenic
• microorganisms,
• chemicals.

The main equipment makes it possible to carry out the first degree of purification. This processing is provided by a grid with a cell size of 20-500 microns.

Such systems need regular cleaning, otherwise the rate of water passage will be reduced. Ordinary mesh filters should be periodically dismantled, washed, and returned to their place.

Models with a self-cleaning function allow the system to self-flush with the discharge of debris into the sewer. They are practically not used for ordinary dachas that are not used for permanent housing, as well as complex high-speed complexes.

Detailed information about coarse filters in the video:

Advice! The choice of main filter model should take into account the degree and type of water pollution, as well as other operating conditions.