Coarse filter for the apartment. Clean the coarse filter cartridge

For preliminary purification of the water flow supplied to residential or public premises, it is recommended to install filter elements at the inlet of the water supply network. Despite the preparation drinking water in urban treatment facilities, in order to comply with its characteristics to sanitary and epidemiological standards, water enters residential or office premises through an extensive network of pipelines.

The inclusion of plumbing accessories in the measuring unit, which helps to maintain the accuracy of KPU measurements, is recommended by all manufacturers of water meters. Therefore, for additional cleaning, a filter is installed in front of the water meter.

Basic provisions for installing "mud" filters

The most common devices for coarse water treatment, due to their versatility, low cost and ease of installation, are oblique mesh filters. The reservoir in the slope is equipped with a cylindrical mesh and a plug. The flow of water passing through the filter element is cleaned from mechanical impurities with dimensions of more than 10-15 microns.

In many cases, such a device helps to save the mechanisms of not only the CPU, but also many other household appliances that use water in their work. Finer filters that trap fine dirt particles can be installed at the inlet of appliances or on mixers. When installing a filter, follow a few rules:

• the filtering device is installed immediately after the shut-off valve, at the inlet of the water supply to the apartment;
• the direction of water in the pipeline must coincide with the arrow indicated on the valve body;
• on vertical sections, the filter is installed with the direction of the water flow from top to bottom;
• the dirt collector is always located downwards with a stopper, under which it is necessary to provide free space for removing the net.

The fittings are selected according to the parameters of the apartment water supply system, according to the nominal diameter of the pipes and the working pressure, these data are always indicated on its body. The connections of the branch pipes, the filtering device, are reinforced with FUM tape or linen tow. By turning on the water for a short time, the reliability of the installation is checked; in the absence of leaks, the filter can be used without fear.

Depending on the degree of water contamination, filter cleaning activities can be either rare or quite frequent. It is recommended to check the filling of the dirt compartment of the filter regularly, at least once a year, without waiting for the water pressure to decrease. Long-term exposure of the threaded connection in an aggressive environment leads to sticking of the cover and it becomes difficult to remove it.

Our company carries out a complex of works on maintenance of apartment metering devices, which includes cleaning the coarse water filter. Not only a filter is installed in front of the counter, but also shut-off valve, the failure of which, in case of careless handling, can lead to an accident.

Sequence of work:

• shut off the water;
• with a wrench, carefully, without jerking, remove the cover from the slope;
• remove the mesh and clean it with a stiff short-haired brush;
• in case of mesh defects, update it;
• clean the tank chamber with improvised means;
• put the mesh back in place
• screw the cover, replacing the seal on the thread;
• turn on the water and check the connections.

If the filter was included in the sealing chain, the housing office must be warned about the removal of the seal so that at the end of the event they restore the seal.

Modern water supply and heating systems cannot be imagined without filters. These devices purify water from dirt, corrosion products and sludge ( rice. one), harmful substances and even microorganisms. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a cottage or an apartment in a high-rise building, centralized or autonomous heat and water supply, you can’t do without a filter. There are a wide variety of different filters on the market, but this article will discuss the most common and indispensable coarse water filters. Among plumbers, these devices are called mud collectors or the abbreviation "FGO".

Rice. 1. All this could get into the apartment system

According to the principle of operation, coarse filters are mechanical, because. not required for their work. chemical reagents. In Soviet times, filters of this type were installed, as a rule, only at house inputs. AT last years requirements for the quality of water and coolant have increased, because. buildings began to be saturated with appliances and fittings, which are very sensitive to pollution of the working environment. In addition, the state of external engineering networks is deteriorating every year. More than 50% of engineering networks in Russia require replacement, and about 15% are in disrepair. A significant "contribution" to the pollution of pipelines is also made by a specific "technology" of emergency repairs, after which the already polluted pipelines are replenished with sand and debris. All these factors require the use of CSF on water supply systems in each individual apartment.

The absence of a filter at the entrance to the apartment can accelerate the failure of water meters and household appliances(washing machines and dishwashers), as well as reduce the efficiency of fine filters. The current building codes (SP 30.13330.2012 "Internal water supply and sewerage of buildings") regulate the mandatory installation of mechanical or magnetic-mechanical filters in front of water meters.

The degree of CSF purification depends on the design of the filter element. How smaller size its cells, the higher the degree of purification, but the greater the hydraulic resistance the filter will create. In this regard, it is best to entrust the selection of a filter to a specialist.

largest manufacturer and a supplier of engineering plumbing in the Russian market and the entire post-Soviet space - the company VALTEC - offers a wide range of coarse filters for home networks.

The most demanded CSFs are oblique filters. They have simple design and are the cheapest of the filters. VALTEC offers several options for oblique filters that differ in the design of threaded nozzles and dimensions ( rice. 2):

• VT.192 - filter with internal thread from 1/2 to 2";
• VT.191 - filter with external thread at the inlet and internal at the outlet 1/2";
• VT.190 - filter with 1/2" external thread.

All models of VALTEC oblique filters can be used in pipeline systems with a maximum working medium temperature of up to 150 °C. The filtering capacity for models with a diameter up to 1" is 500 microns. The filter consists of ( rice. 3) from the body 1 (hot-pressed nickel-plated brass CW617N), brass plug 2 , filter element 3 (stainless steel AISI 316) and Teflon gasket 4 . The filter plug has a sealing hole, which is necessary when installing this element in front of the water meter. Maintenance of the oblique FGO consists in periodic cleaning of the filter element. To do this, unscrew the plug and remove the filter element for cleaning and rinsing.

Rice. 3. VALTEC oblique filter design

An example of using a VT.190 oblique filter is shown in rice. 4.

Rice. 4. Oblique filter VT.190 at the apartment water supply inlet

In addition to oblique filters, VALTEC's "arsenal" includes several models of direct CSFs ( rice. 5):

• VT.385 - compact straight filter with 1/2" threaded plug;
• VT.387 - straight filter with external and internal thread;
• VT.388 is a straight filter with internal thread.

Rice. 5. Direct coarse filters VALTEC (from left to right): VT.385, VT.387, VT.388

The design of direct filters is such that the flow of the working medium at the entrance to the filter element turns by 90°, creating a turbulent vortex washing the mesh ( rice. 6. This contributes to more efficient cleaning, preventing the build-up of colloidal and fibrous particles on the grid. The entire area of ​​the filter element is simultaneously involved in the cleaning process. VALTEC direct filters are equipped with filter elements with a mesh size of 300 microns, which is optimal for protection against clogging of apartment pressure reducers, water meters, thermostats, mixers and other water fittings.

Rice. 6. Design and principle of operation of direct filters

On the VT.385 filter, instead of a plug, a drain valve (1/2") can be installed, which simplifies the process of washing it.

For ease of maintenance on models VT.387 and 388, plugs with internal threads are used. Thanks to this and the presence of an EPDM sealing ring, the thread of the plug does not come into contact with water and does not stick to the filter housing.

Direct filters can be used on pipelines with working medium pressure up to 16 bar and temperature up to 110 °С. The filters are produced with nominal diameters of 1/2 and 3/4". Not always the existing wiring of plumbing systems allows the use of standard products. this leads to clogging of the lower outlet of the pipeline ( rice. 7).

Rice. 7. Straight and oblique filters in a vertical section with water movement from bottom to top (error)

In such cases, it is necessary to make a horizontal section of the pipeline with the installation of a CSF on it. However, the workspace does not always allow this. The VALTEC VT.386 universal filter (patent No. 2464479) comes to the rescue. For this filter, the axis of the filter chamber is rotated by 75° with respect to the axis of the pipeline. Due to this, insoluble particles, scale and other contaminants do not have the opportunity to fall back into the pipe, sink down when the flow stops, but remain in the filter chamber ( rice. eight).

Rice. Fig. 8. Appearance, design and operation of the VT.386 filter in a vertical section with water moving from bottom to top

Everyone is familiar with the situation when, after repair work or a short-term shutdown of the pipeline, a cloudy brown liquid flows from the mixer ( rice. nine). If you pour this liquid into a bottle, after a short period of time you will notice that top part the liquid in the bottle will become transparent, and a dark precipitate will accumulate in the bottom. The reaction of the sediment to the raised magnet proves that it is iron hydroxides, commonly called "rust". Rust particles are so small that they can easily pass even through filters with a mesh size of 100 and 50 microns.

Rice. 9. The smallest particles of rust are not retained by a conventional filter

Tachometric water meters suffer the most from rust. Getting into the impeller of the water meter, rust particles are attracted to the magnet built into the axis of the impeller ( rice. ten), which transmits the rotation to the counting mechanism. The growth of particles leads to a slowdown in the rotation of the impeller, and then to a complete stop of the device. For manufacturers, this phenomenon is not a warranty case, and the consumer is forced to pay for the purchase of a new meter.

Rice. 10. Rust destroys vane water meters

VALTEC specialists, realizing the urgent need to solve this problem, proposed a simple but effective solution. A filter with a magnetic trap VT.384 is installed in front of the water meter ( rice. eleven). It is a direct filter with the inherent advantages of this type of CSF, and a permanent magnet pressed into the plug allows trapping magnetic substances (metal particles, scale, etc.) much smaller than the filter mesh (300 μm).

Rice. 11. Design of the filter with a magnetic trap VT.384

To service the filter, it is required to unscrew the plug with an internal thread, clean the mesh filter element, the flask and remove the formed metal “fur coat” from the bar magnet.

Rinsing filters are becoming increasingly popular in residential water supply systems. They allow you to clean the filter without turning it off and disassembling it. Washing cascade filter VALTEC VT.389 ( rice. 12) is equipped with two stainless steel filter elements (one inside the other) with a mesh size of 1000 and 250 microns, a manometer for pressure control and a drain valve for flushing.

Rice. 12. Appearance and design of the cascade filter VT.389

The body and filter bowl are made of nickel-plated brass CW617N. The presence of two filter elements of different throughput and the formation of vortex turbulence provides stepwise cleaning and increases the frequency of filter maintenance. Currently wash filter VT.389 is produced in three sizes: 1/2, 3/4 and 1". The uniqueness of the filter, in comparison with analogues, lies in the minimum dimensions with high cleaning characteristics (patent RU 111451 U1). after the filter, it is necessary to install shut-off valves to allow the filter elements to be removed.The best way to flush the filter is backwash, but its implementation will require the installation of an additional section of the bypass pipeline.

Despite the fact that all CSFs are quite simple in design, this does not negate the requirements for their competent installation and operation. The most common installer mistakes are:

• the direction of the flow of the working medium does not match the direction indicated by the arrow on the filter housing. Such an error leads to the fact that the sludge does not accumulate in the filter chamber, but outside it;
• the filter is installed with the stopper or plug up. With this installation, the sludge does not settle in the filter chamber ( rice. fourteen), but remains in the pipeline up to the filter, which can damage the water shut-off valves located in front of the filter;
• an oblique or straight filter is installed on a vertical section of the pipeline with an upward flow without a horizontal section. In this case, the sludge, settling in the lower branch of the pipeline, may eventually completely block the pipeline ( rice. fifteen).

Rice. 14. Installation error: the filter is installed with the flask up

Rice. 15. Mounting error: oblique filters in vertical section with upflow

Whatever filter the consumer chooses, the main thing is that this device meets the requirements and features of a particular system, and during installation and operation, building codes, rules and recommendations of the manufacturer are observed. Only in this case, the CSF will serve faithfully for more than one decade.

The first level in a well-organized system of high-quality water filtration is a coarse filter. This is a small device designed to collect mechanical impurities and dirt particles contained in the fluid consumed. One of the types of such devices is a coarse mesh filter for water purification with different levels of contamination. The equipment is very popular because it differs:

• simple installation and easy maintenance;
• affordable cost with sufficiently high efficiency;
• wide model range devices - are made to purify water containing insoluble suspensions of various sizes. The grid is capable of retaining particles with a diameter of 50 to 500 microns.

Mesh devices can be used as independent filters or be an integral part of a high-quality filtration system. They effectively remove rust and sand from the water, foreign particles that got into it during the passage of the substance through rusty, overgrown with plaque and not repaired pipes. After cleaning the liquid from impurities and dirt particles, it does not become 100% drinkable, but the use of such water (without mechanical suspensions) is of particular consumer importance. A properly selected and installed water strainer improves the quality of the substance, which means:

• protects water-heating and water-consuming equipment from premature failure;
• reduces the intensity of clogging of fine filters;
• reduces the cost of purchasing consumable filter elements;
• increases performance characteristics filters of ultrafine cleaning and mineralization.

The advantage of the device for coarse water filtration is its versatility. Manufacturers produce various types of mesh devices, which are installed directly on the pipes of the plumbing system. What types of mesh filters are there? How to choose a fixture?

The principle of operation of the strainer and its types

The main filtering element of the device is a mesh (cylindrical) with passing cells of a certain diameter. It is usually enclosed in a stainless steel case, which can be equipped with a special plug in the form of a nut or a tap. The body shape resembles an elongated flask with branch pipes (flanges for easy and quick connection of the device) and a container for the spent substance (sump).

Installation of a water filter mesh is carried out at the water inlet to a house or apartment. The installation site is selected before the pipeline is routed to the water supply points. If water meters are provided, then the installation of the device is carried out in front of the meter. When the tap is opened, the substance passes through the pipes, overcoming an obstacle in the form of a mesh filter element. It traps all undissolved impurities with a diameter greater than the diameter of the transmission cell of the grid.

Since the operating conditions of the mesh filter element can be different, manufacturers offer several types of devices for coarse water treatment:

• Oblique and direct mesh filters.

The division into straight and oblique devices is carried out according to the placement of the sump. In the first case, the container is located strictly down. That is, perpendicular to the flow of water. Them distinguishing feature- dimension. To install a direct strainer for coarse water, you need a lot of free space in the area under the pipe. But it is the increased dimensions of the vertical tank that provide better filtration. For oblique mesh filters, the container is placed at an angle to the water flow in the pipe. They are convenient to use on pipes that run near the floor or are laid vertically.

• Clutch and flange filters-grids.

The partitioning was carried out according to the method of installing equipment on a water pipe. Flanged devices are suitable for pipeline diameters over 2 inches (junctions, main systems, etc.). Their main advantage is simple and easy dismantling due to studs and bolts. The second type of fixture is suitable for pipes with a diameter of up to 2 inches. They are screwed onto the water supply, which complicates their dismantling.

• Gryazeviki and filters with washing.

The separation of coarse filters is also carried out according to the method of cleaning the sump tank. Devices that are not subject to manual washing are mud collectors. These include oblique and some groups of direct filters. They are supplied with a special cover for ease of use. In direct filters, where the mesh for the coarse water filter is placed perpendicular to the water flow, a tap is provided to release the waste liquid.

Pros and cons of a coarse water filter mesh

Filters for coarse filtration of the substance are produced by many manufacturers. But only a few brands offer devices adapted to difficult operating conditions:

• Valtec;
• honeywell;
• ITAP and some others.

The same manufacturers put on the market and expendable materials to devices - a grid for the coarse filter and other elements. Of course, the degree of purification of the substance in such filtering equipment is quite low, but, taking into account the condition of the water supply systems in 87% of residential buildings, it is simply impossible to do without them. Mesh filters - cheap way purify water from mechanical particles undissolved in the liquid, which has a number of advantages:

• no need to purchase additional equipment for maintenance and installation;
• no skills are needed to install and clean the sump;
• restoration of effective working capacity;
• cheap components;
• high indicators of environmental safety;
• economy of service - replacement of a grid is carried out less often, than change of cartridges.

When buying a mesh filter, pay attention to the size of the cells of the element. For coarse cleaning, a 100 micron mesh is sufficient. Do not forget about the specifics of the location of the pipes and their diameter. Having decided on the parameters, you can make a purchase.

Agree that when it comes to a well, most of us immediately have a strong association with perfectly clean and tasty drinking water. Certainly weighty contribution literary works have contributed to this stable opinion - very often they mention “crystal clear well water". In addition, many have their own experience when, during a hike in the summer heat, a few sips become a great pleasure. cold water from a source that has come across - it really seems amazingly clean and fresh.

But those people who use water from a well or a well all the time often have a different opinion on this matter. Alas, the quality of autonomous water supply sources is very often far not only from the ideal, but also from the established permissible sanitary norms. And in order for the use of the source to be completely safe and as comfortable as possible, special water treatment systems are used, which include coarse and fine water filters of various designs and operating principles.

Autonomous sources of water supply can rarely "boast" of the absolute purity of water. Neither surface aquifers, from which wells are fed, nor deep ones, to which wells are drilled, are insured against certain types of pollution. All this has an explanation - such manifestations are caused by both quite ordinary natural processes and man-made factors, which, by the way, often include violations of construction technologies and equipment of water intake points or violation of the rules for their operation.

How are sources of autonomous water supply created?

Each type of water intake has its own rules for its creation and equipment. In special publications of our portal you can find a lot of useful information about how to independently , , and how to then from the water intake points .

• What are the characteristics of well water?

Most closely spaced to the surface of the earth, aquifers, of course, are also the most vulnerable to external negative impacts.

— Primarily, even in the most environmentally favorable areas, the “biological cycle” is constantly going on - the soil is saturated with organic matter, the natural process of its decomposition is continuously taking place, and this in itself - ideal conditions for the development of microbiological forms of life. Of course, all this “richest variety” of microorganisms, including those of a pronounced pathogenic nature, has every chance of seeping into the water source used.

- The second component of the problem is the contamination of the surface soil layers with industrial emissions, car exhausts, spilled oil products, chemicals for agricultural or even domestic use. All this is actively transferred along with melt or storm water, is absorbed into the soil and may well fall into the upper aquifers. Often this is facilitated by improper equipment of the well, in particular, its poor-quality external waterproofing.

As a result, water from a well, even deep enough, about 20 meters, can “give away” oil products, have a pronounced putrid smell or a characteristic “aroma” of hydrogen sulfide. It happens that even organoleptically, to the touch, the water has a slimy consistency or "blooms" - this is a clear sign of an abundant content of bacteria. But the smell - the smell, and practically indeterminate without special laboratory tests, but from this not becoming less dangerous, are heavy metal salts, nitrite or nitrate compounds, pesticides and other water-polluting components. And plus to everything - silt silt gradually deposited at the bottom of the well and washed sandy deposits. In short, the use of water from a well without treatment is associated with very high risks.

• What about wells?

Here, it would seem, everything should be more prosperous? Surface pollution practically does not penetrate into the lower aquifers, and there is no pronounced biological activity either. However, not everything is so “rosy”.

Water from the well is also capable of presenting "surprises"

First of all, it should be noted that some types of microorganisms not only survive at considerable depths, but also actively multiply in such conditions. We are talking about the so-called sulfur bacteria, the presence of which often leads to widespread phenomenon - water from a “clean”, it would seem, well after a certain period of time begins to smell of hydrogen sulfide.

And the second is that the wells are characterized by a different extreme - this is excessive mineralization of water. The constant contact of aquifers with layers of various geological rocks causes saturation of the water with salts - sulfides, carbonates, calcium and magnesium chlorides, dissolved iron, and other inorganic components, depending on the structure of soils in a particular region. Such water has a pronounced hardness, and causes a number of problems in its domestic use.

A detailed picture of the state of the water used, especially in the case when there are no special external manifestations, can only be given by a laboratory analysis. Based on it, it will be possible to correctly plan a water filtration and purification system for specific conditions. At the same time, it should be remembered that the state of autonomous sources is highly dependent on the time of year and stable weather, so for the reliability of the picture, most likely, it will be necessary to test several samples spaced in time and falling on the most “extreme” periods - massive spring snowmelt, the peak of hot dry weather and prolonged autumn rains.

The problem of water purification, in many of its aspects, directly affects the owners of even housing that is connected to the central water supply system. Even with a high-quality multi-level water treatment process at the central water intake and at pine stations, along the way to consumers, the quality can significantly decrease due to the unsatisfactory condition of old worn-out water supply lines.

The variety of devices for filtering and purifying water is very large. But still, two main groups can be distinguished.

• The first is filters for coarse water purification, that is, its mechanical filtration from suspended solid impurities. Without this “frontier”, the use of any post-treatment systems will either be impossible or extremely inefficient.
• The second group is fine purification devices, which will already directly depend on the quality of a particular water source. This will be discussed below.

Mechanical water filters

As already mentioned, it is probably impossible in principle to do without a coarse filtration system, no matter how clean the water is famous for its source. No one and nothing can guarantee the ingress of fine grains of sand or silt, organic fibers, particles of scale, fragments of lime scale that have fallen off the walls and etc.. Such suspensions are unpleasant in themselves, and lead to overgrowth of pipes, especially at fittings or bends, and quickly disable plumbing. The abrasive effect of solid inclusions "eats" rubber and polymer seals, damages the ceramic parts of faucets or mixer cartridges. Large household appliances, such as washing machines or dishwashers, boilers, speakers and other appliances, can also be seriously affected by this.

If an autonomous source of water supply is used, then, as a rule, the first line of mechanical cleaning is already located on the very submersible pump or at the end of the intake sleeve. When choosing pumping equipment this moment must be taken into account - based on the characteristics of the well, open reservoir or well.

How to choose the right pump for autonomous water supply?

Pumping equipment used to provide a residential building with water must meet a number of requirements. Recommendations for can be found in a special publication of the portal.

Of course, at this stage of primary filtration, only large suspensions are removed, and it is not yet possible to talk about acceptable water purity. That's it now is the work for coarse filters.

Primary mechanical water filters — mud workers

The principle of their work is simple. The water passes through some type of honeycomb structure that does not allow any further suspended solids to pass through. The diameter (size) of the mesh cell determines the cleaning depth. As a rule, if we are talking about coarse filters, then we mean the retention of particles with a size of 100 microns and above. However, there are often products that are also called coarse filters, but with the ability to separate inclusions with a diameter of about 50 microns.

In many coarse filters, another principle is additionally used - their design is such that the water flow enters an expanding space, where it sharply loses speed, and the largest particles settle to the bottom under the action of gravitational forces. Typically, such filters are placed at the “forefront”, before inserting into the plumbing system of a private or even multi-storey city building.

If possible, you can install two or even more coarse filters, of course, with a gradual decrease in the size of the mesh cell - this will achieve the best result with the least likelihood of a quick failure of devices or without the need for frequent flushing.

• Filters, which are the first to meet the flow of water from the source, cleaning it from the largest inclusions, are often called a completely understandable term - mud collectors. They can differ in size, in the method of inserting into the pipe - be flanged or coupling (threaded), design features. So, there are mud collectors in the form of a vertically located cylinder - they just use the principle of gravitational sedimentation. Very common the so-called "oblique" mud collectors, with a characteristic configuration of the filter chamber, located obliquely to the pipe.

The well-known "oblique" filter

All such mud collectors require regular check and cleaning from the accumulated sediment (sludge). To do this, they are equipped with threaded or flanged plugs, after removing which there is access to the filter mesh element and the accumulation chamber. Quite often, magnetic inserts are also located under the cork, which attract iron-containing solid particles, thereby increasing the quality of filtration.

Mud men - important element plumbing and heating systems

Most of the devices of this class used in domestic conditions are quite suitable for both water pipes and heating circuits. More details can be found in a special publication of the portal.

Mesh filters for mechanical cleaning

It is much more convenient both in use and in regular maintenance mesh washing filters.

They consist of a metal body (pos. 1) with threaded sockets or pipes for tapping into the pipe (pos. 2). Many filters are immediately completed union nuts("American"), which greatly simplify the installation process and allow you to freely remove the product if necessary.

A metal or transparent one is hermetically screwed onto the case from below. plastic cup(pos. 3). Inside it is a grid, usually made of food grade stainless steel (pos. 4). From below, the glass ends with a tap and a drain pipe, which allows washing the filter with a stream of water.

Of course, the backwash is of better quality - the flow of water directed from the opposite side cleans the grid cells much better. In some models of filters, this function is incorporated into their design. If not, then you can simply organize a return loop during the installation of the piping, which allows you to temporarily redirect the flow of water during flushing.

Many filters are equipped with a pressure gauge (pos. 6) showing the pressure in the water supply. There can be two pressure gauges, at the inlet and outlet - the difference in readings makes it possible to judge the degree of clogging of the filter element. Often such a filter is combined with a pressure reducer - this makes it possible to regulate the level of water pressure, which is important for household appliances connected to the water supply.

The acknowledged leader in the production of such mesh filters is the company "Noneywell". Its range is extremely wide - from the simplest inexpensive types to those equipped with a mechanism. backwash, or even self-cleaning – backwash in automatic mode, as the filter element becomes clogged.

Some models of Honeywell mesh filters are presented in the table:

Honeywell mesh filters are of the highest quality, and are always accompanied by a product passport with a mandatory manufacturer's warranty. They should be purchased in specialized stores so as not to run into a fake, which, unfortunately, are many.

Video: Honeywell mesh filter

Cartridge type mechanical cleaning filters

Leaders in the breadth of use - cartridge (cartridge) type filters

Cartridge (cartridge) type mechanical cleaning filters are very convenient to use. Among household appliances, they occupy one of the leading positions - due to the low price and ease of operation.

Structurally, they consist of a body (pos. 1) with ½ threaded sockets for connection to the water supply; ¾ or 1 inch (item 2). The body is usually equipped with a suspension system on the wall on bracket (pos. 3) or console. Usually, a button or plug (pos. 4) is located on top of the housing to relieve pressure in the filter during its maintenance. From below, a cylinder (glass) made of metal, opaque or transparent plastic (pos. 5) is attached to the body. Compound sealed ring gasket and threaded union (pos. 6) (in some models, the flask itself has a threaded connection to the body). The filter kit comes with a special key (pos. 70) for hermetic crimping of the cup.

A replaceable cartridge (cartridge) is installed inside the glass. It is always a hollow cylinder, the walls of which perform a filtering function. When moving through the filter, water enters the outer volume of the glass, penetrates through the machine tools of the cartridge into its internal cavity, and from there moves to the filter outlet. Naturally, the design of the filter and cartridge implies a tight fit to each other so that water does not find “loopholes” for free passage.

The material and design of the filter walls of the cylindrical cartridge may vary. So, you can purchase a filter element made of wound polypropylene threads (pos. a ), made of foamed sponge polypropylene (pos. in ), polypropylene corrugations. Polypropylene was not chosen as a material by chance - it is chemically inert and has certification for use in the food industry and for medical purposes, that is, it is unable to have a negative impact on water used for drinking purposes.

It is clear that such cartridges have a certain resource of use, and after its development they must be replaced. But you can also purchase a cartridge with a mesh structure that can be maintained - cleaned and washed (pos. b ).

The sizes of the vast majority of cartridges are designed in the same standards: SLIM LINE or BIG BLUE with a length of 5, 10 or 20 inches.

Basically, filters of two standards are used - SLIM LINE (left) and BIG BLUE with different cartridge lengths

The size of the filter cell of such cartridges can be so small (on the order of 1 ÷ 5 microns) that it is even difficult to call them coarse filters. It is rather a system of fine mechanical filtration. But so that such a device does not clog quickly with large inclusions, it is recommended to install it after the already mentioned mud collectors or strainers.

The only drawback of such a scheme is the need to purchase a replacement cartridge. However, their cost is low, and everyone can afford regular replacement of the filter element.

For more efficient filters of the Big Blue standard with a length of 20 inches, the corresponding cartridges are also produced, which generally repeat the structure of the element and the size of the cells of the models indicated in the table. Naturally, they have a larger resource - up to 40 m³, a higher filtration rate. But the frequency of the change (or flushing - for serviced models) is still maintained the same - at least 1 time in 6 months. Accordingly, the price of products is higher.

The great convenience of filters of the SLIM LINE and BIG BLUE standards is also that their housings are fully universal - they can use cartridges not only for mechanical water purification, but also for a deeper one, which will be discussed in the next section.

Filters and fine water purification devices

Removing solids from the mass of incoming water does not solve all problems. As already mentioned, a special problem is the mineral or organic substances dissolved in the liquid, the microorganisms present in it - all this can make water unsuitable for food needs, dangerous for consumption, or, at best, significantly reduce it. taste qualities.

There are several basic technologies for fine water purification, which are implemented in various filter devices or replaceable cartridges for them. The appropriateness of the use of specific filters depends solely on the results of the analysis of the main water source.

Water purification from iron

Many inconveniences and serious troubles can be caused by excessive iron content in the incoming water. Unfortunately, very often it exceeds the maximum permissible concentration established by SanPiN - 0.3 mg / liter.

Iron in water can take many forms:

• Dissolved iron is always present in the free divalent form (Fe+2). It absolutely not noticeable visually, and does not lend itself to conventional mechanical filtration.
• The interaction of ferrous iron with oxygen in the air or dissolved in water causes its transition to the trivalent form. This is already a finely dispersed consistency suspended in the thickness of the liquid. The same rusty coating that water leaves is a manifestation of just such a chemical form of iron. Amenable to settling and fine filtration.

Rusty streaks are particles of ferric iron suspended in water.

• Organic colloidal iron - although it is a suspension, it is so fine that it practically cannot be settled and filtered.
• Iron in the form of hydroxide is an insoluble precipitate easily removed by mechanical filtration.
• Highly unusual shape- bacterial iron. It is manifested by mucous deposits on the walls of blood vessels or a thin film on the surface of the water. In fact, these are colonies of bacteria and their metabolic products - these microorganisms feed on the energy released in the process of converting a divalent form into a trivalent one.

How dangerous is the excess of iron in water?

• In principle, an element useful in moderate doses for the human body, with a high content, often causes metabolic disorders, dysfunction of the kidneys, liver, adrenal glands, thyroid gland. The composition of the blood may negatively change, which will lead to severe and frequent allergic manifestations. And iron bacteria often cause serious poisoning or chronic disorders of the digestive system.
• water with high content iron becomes unpleasant in taste.
• Solid forms of iron, if not removed from the water, lead to gradual clogging of pipes and rapid wear of plumbing and household appliances.
• After washing, yellow spots may remain on the laundry. Sinks and tubs will always look untidy.

There are many iron removal technologies, but many of them are applicable only on an industrial scale - at water treatment plants. And how can you get rid of iron in water at the household level?

• Aeration and subsequent filtration

Since divalent iron, when reacting with oxygen, passes into an insoluble trivalent form, it means that it is necessary to create conditions for maximum contact of water with air. One way is aeration ( bubbling) - passing small air bubbles through water. This is realized in aeration columns.

Water is supplied to such a column from a source, through which the air pumped by the compressor is constantly passed. The control is usually carried out in automatic mode - when the tap is opened, the flow sensor is triggered, transmitting a control signal to start the compressor.

Aeration, in addition to iron removal, can perform a number of useful functions. Thus, air bubbles are able to entrain and bring into the drainage small solid inclusions of a mineral or organic nature - the load for subsequent filtering devices in the chain is reduced. In addition, it has an effect in the fight against hydrogen sulfide - this will be discussed below.

An aeration column, if required, is usually placed after the main coarse filter. These are quite expensive products.(usually the cost of a complete set of aeration, even with a minimum performance, starts at 30 thousand rubles), but in conditions where an autonomous source does not differ in the purity of water, it is difficult to do without them.

• Iron removal by reagent technology

The rapid oxidation of iron and its transition to a state suitable for mechanical filtration can be caused by special powerful oxidizing components - a vivid example of this is ordinary potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). However, this method requires a very accurate dosage, constant replenishment of the reagent, and at the slightest violation of the technology is not entirely safe for the human body. At the household level, it is not used.

• Reagent-free iron removal method

This is the most widely used technology. Its meaning is that water is in contact with a special backfill, which does not react by itself, but stimulates the use of oxygen contained in water to oxidize iron.

The backfill can be either mineral (for example, dolomite, zeolite, glauconite), or synthetic or complex (Pyrolox, MZHF, BIRM, MGS).

Such cleaners can be made in the form of columns, or in the form of cartridges for the already mentioned cartridge-type filters.

It is characteristic that in the process of iron oxidation, the component filling is practically not consumed. The iron that has passed into the solid phase either remains in the filling itself, or is removed further along the water in a sorption or fine mechanical filter. The filling composition is easily regenerated - it is cleaned by washing with water. True, iron removal cartridges are disposable, and, alas, they are not subject to regeneration.

The reagentless method has its drawbacks:

• There are certain restrictions on chemical composition water - in particular, by its acidity and concentration of alkaline components. This must be indicated in the product data sheets. It is also necessary to get rid of the increased concentration of dissolved hydrogen sulfide before such iron removal.
• The “own” oxygen of water may not be enough for its high-quality purification from iron by this method. Yield - recommended pre-aeration .
• Such purification does not have any effect on the biochemical, including the pathogenic composition of water. Requires subsequent disinfection.
• The system during operation requires regular maintenance - flushing and cleaning. Neglect of these operations may result in equipment failure - the loss of the backfill of its catalytic qualities.

Many cleaning systems are very closely functionally interconnected. So, the reagentless method of water deironing also successfully acts on dissolved magnesium salts, which cause its increased hardness. As well as other purification methods (for example, ion exchange or reverse osmosis technology) also affect the iron content in water.

Ways to purify water from hydrogen sulfide

The smell of hydrogen sulfide is already unpleasant in itself, and such water is of little use for domestic and food use. However, the danger is even more serious than it seems at first glance.

This is a very toxic compound., and even a small dose that enters the body with water or even through the respiratory system can cause dizziness, nausea, and more serious damage to the nervous system with very sad consequences. The fact is that hydrogen sulfide enters into an irreversible reaction with red blood cells, which are affected and cease to perform their main function - the delivery of oxygen through the tissues and systems of the body.

There is another characteristic feature - this gas, even with not very frequent contacts, reduces the sensitivity of taste and olfactory receptors, and a person simply stops paying attention to it. And its pathological action continues unnoticed, until it manifests itself. clear signs poisoning.

Hydrogen sulfide has another negative property - it sharply reduces stability metal pipes to corrosion - their fragility increases, walls collapse, valves fail, etc.

In a word, if the analysis shows the presence of hydrogen sulfide in excess of permissible norms (more than 0.03 mg / liter), or a characteristic odor has appeared, measures should be taken.

It has already been mentioned that hydrogen sulfide can appear in the well not not immediately, but over time - this indicates the appearance of colonies of sulfur bacteria. By the way, they can also “make a nest” in heating devices - suddenly, seemingly clean, the boiler begins to emit a characteristic “aroma” at the output.

What methods are used to get rid of hydrogen sulfide:

• already mentioned above aeration becomes quite an effective tool in this case:

- Firstly, this gas is poorly soluble in water, and the flow air bubbles is able to “drag” it up with it, and then it exits into the atmosphere through the valve of the aeration column. Such a kind of "ventilation" of water.

“Secondly, the abundance of oxygen in the water is an extremely unfavorable environment for sulfur bacteria, whose colonies begin to die under such conditions.

- And thirdly, the compound itself, due to hydrogen molecules, is an active reducing agent, reacting with free oxygen. The output is water and a sulfur precipitate, which is then easily removed by mechanical filtration.

• There are quite complex technologies that require special qualifications of personnel. chemical and biochemical purification of water from hydrogen sulfide. In conditions of autonomous water supply, they are not used.
• Sorption cleaning is something that is widely used in industrial scale, and in everyday life.

Special sorption backfills, as a rule, based on activated carbon, can remove dangerous chemical compounds from water, including chlorine and hydrogen sulfide, become a catalyst for oxidative processes, and even a filter "grid" for fine mechanical cleaning. Carefully selected compositions become an insurmountable barrier for various pathogenic microorganisms.

Many sorption backfills (for example, "Centaur" for the production of which certain types of hard coal are used) have a considerable resource and are able to regenerate after certain washings, of course, up to certain limit . Such sorption filters can be in the form of columns - on powerful filtering complexes, or again in the form of replaceable cartridges of a standard size.

Filters - water softeners

Another "disease" of water is its increased hardnesscaused by a high concentration of magnesium salts (sulfates) and calcium (usually bicarbonates). Although salts of other metals are present, against the background of the above, their effect is small.

Hardness is more typical for well water, although this is not a dogma, and well or tap water may also have an increased degree of rigidity.

What are the negative consequences of such water:

• Rapid overgrowth of dishes and household appliances with scale.
• Decreased taste in in odes - it begins to taste bitter, especially after cooking.
• There is a poor solubility of detergents, washing powder, a decrease in the effectiveness of shampoos and shower gels. By reaction with salts detergents form t an ore-washable insoluble film of slag, and this can result in skin irritation, hair diseases, and allergy manifestations.
• Fabrics after washing in such water can wear out quickly - the fragility of the fibers increases.
• Overgrowth of pipes limescale. Even worse if they are covered heating elements household appliances - their efficiency decreases sharply, and the heating elements themselves quickly burn out. In addition, the seals lose their elasticity, which leads to leakage.

How to reduce water hardness:

• We do not consider the boiling method - it does not apply to filtration systems in any way.
• The technology of chemical softening has been used at the household level for a long time, for example, by adding soda to water. A more technological option is the use of special chemical softeners like cartridge filters, but only with crystalline or tablet filling.

Partially soluble backfill (most often sodium polyphosphate) is gradually washed out and requires regular replenishment.

The method is effective and proven. But it is more suitable for household appliances (washing machines or dishwashers), in front of which such filters are usually mounted. For food purposes, a different solution is needed.

• The most effective method at present is the use of ion exchange technology. Calcium and magnesium atoms are replaced by more active metal - sodium, and its salts do not have any negative impact on the composition and consistency of water.

For such a reaction, special artificial resins are used - cation exchangers, with a pronounced high sodium content. The reaction does not require any special temperature and pressure regimes - everything proceeds "by itself". And one more important advantage - cation exchangers may well be regenerated after processing them with a concentrated solution, usually table salt– NaCl. In this case, magnesium and calcium ions are released and discharged with water into the drainage.

Such filtration is implemented in special ion-exchange columns with the possibility of regular washing and regeneration of resins (in manual or automatic mode).

• Separately, we can note the technology of magnetic water softening, although it is also unlikely to apply to filters.

Special compact devices either cut into the water supply, or are put on top of the pipes. Various devices use either powerful neodymium permanent magnets or electromagnets - then they require a power connection. Their energy consumption is small, no more than 15 W, and the pledged resource can be up to 10 years or more.

Magnetic water softeners - with permanent (left) and electromagnets

The physicochemical mechanism of the magnetic effect on salts has not been fully studied. But the fact remains - the crystallization of magnesium and calcium salts does not occur on the surface of pipes or priors, but in the water itself, and this t the solid precipitate is then easy to filter mechanically.

Integrated water filtration and purification systems

All the filtration stages mentioned above, as necessary (based on laboratory studies of the source), are usually combined into entire complexes that provide high-quality water purification. There are no single “recipes” here, but for example, one of the variants of such a scheme can be given:

Water comes from external source(pos. 1) and immediately passes through a sump or mechanical strainer (pos. 2).

After primary filtration, the flow enters the aeration column (pos. 3) into which air is pumped using a compressor (pos. 4). In order for the compressor to run only when needed, it is connected by a signal cable to a flow sensor already installed downstream of the system (pos. 5).

Oxygen-saturated water passes into the iron removal column (pos. 6). Precipitated oxides are partially discharged into the drainage (pos. 7), or are retained on the coarse mesh filter (pos. 8).

The next column is with ion exchange resin (pos. 9), for water softening. It also has its own drainage system (pos. 10) which is used when washing and regenerating the resin. Between this and the next boundary, a coarse filter (pos. 11) is again installed.

The next installation is a sorption purification column (pos. 12), which will remove chemical and biological components and improve the overall organoleptic qualities of water. The drainage system is necessary for regular flushing of the filter media.

Directly (pos. 15) water leaves for technical and economic use. And for food (drinking) use, it also goes through the stage of ultraviolet disinfection in a special installation (pos. 16) where all pathogenic microbes are reliably destroyed. And only then (pos. 17) goes to the food intake.

Video: another example of a water treatment system in a private house

Such schemes, of course, are suitable for sufficiently big houses and a significant level of water consumption. However, nothing prevents you from assembling it yourself and in a city apartment, using cartridge filters and cartridges for them for various purposes.

But in any case, it is very important to take into account that the performance of the system must fully correspond to the possible total water flow. Otherwise, the cleaning efficiency will be in question.

Overall performance of the water filtration and purification system

In order to ensure the required amount of purified water at any time and at any point of water intake, the overall performance of the filtration system being created must be evaluated. A characteristic feature is that the overall performance can never be higher than that of a separate filter module, and, therefore, it should be evaluated by its “slowest” element.

• First of all, it is necessary to estimate the total required amount of water needed to meet the needs of all family members. For example, the norm of daily consumption is considered to be approximately 200 liters per person. Based on this, it is easy to calculate that, say, a family of four will need 200 × 4 = 800 liters or 0.8 m³ per day.
• Spending water is coming not constantly throughout the day. This means that it is necessary to evaluate the ability of the filtration system to deliver this volume in a shorter period of time. Usually proceed from the time of use, equal to 10 hours. So, in the case under consideration, with a total flow rate of 800 l / day, the productivity should not be lower than 800 / 10 = 80 l / h.
• But that's not all - there is the concept of peak consumption. It is highly unlikely, but it is still possible that all water consumption points in the house are turned on at the same time. The water flow at a particular point in time can reach the maximum possible value, which significantly exceeds the calculated above

To calculate the peak load on the water treatment system, it is necessary to sum up the average consumption of all water consumption points in the house, which theoretically can be turned on at the same time. Next, perform the calculation according to the formula:

Qpeak = ∑Q(1÷n) × kn

Qpeak - peak consumption.

∑Q(1÷n) – the sum of water consumption of all points of water consumption, from the first to n-Noah.

kn- correction factor, taking into account the total number of points of water intake (n).

kn is calculated using the following formula:

kn = 1 / √ (n-1)

The flow rate for various water consumption points is usually already calculated, which, for example, can be taken from the table below:

In order not to load the site visitor with independent calculations, a convenient calculator is placed below, which allows you to instantly get the desired value of peak water consumption.

Coarse water filters for summer cottages and apartments are used as independent devices or as the first stage in complex systems fine cleaning. Their installation not only improves the consumer qualities of the liquid, but also protects water-consuming and water-heating equipment. In complex systems, the presence of such a device reduces the intensity of contamination of filters (cartridges) of subsequent stages, increasing their service life and reducing operating costs.

The main purpose of coarse water filters is to retain large insoluble particles, both hard and soft. If in individual water supply systems such impurities are mostly sand, clay or silt coming from a source (well or well), then in centralized communications they are rust particles from old pipes. No matter how well cleaning is performed after extraction (from artesian wells or reservoirs), in the process of its transportation to consumers through old communications, which are a common misfortune of public utilities in almost all regions, the quality of water deteriorates noticeably.

Separately, we note that it is imperative to install a coarse water filter before in order to avoid its breakdowns.

Device types

A coarse filter for water for a summer residence from a similar device for a house or apartment may differ in performance (throughput), however, regardless of this characteristic, all models can be divided into several types depending on their device.

1. Mesh devices are simple and efficient. This category can be further subdivided into two classes:

• requiring manual cleaning (mud collectors),
• having the function of self-washing and a drainage outlet for draining dirty water.

Mesh filters for water purification for an apartment can be installed on the mains of both cold and hot water supply. In private houses and summer cottages, they are mounted up to the heating block, thus cleaning the entire flow at the same time.

Depending on the initial quality of the liquid, a coarse filter mesh is selected with a mesh size from 20 to 500 microns.

By type of installation distinguish between flanged and coupling devices of this type. Mesh nozzles that are installed directly on taps should also be included in this category.

2. Cartridge filters are used in complex systems, for example, in multi-stage devices mounted under the sink, or stand-alone. They can be filled with filter material (usually the cartridges are made of polyester or non-woven polypropylene) or have a similar mesh insert.

• the first, when contaminated, must be replaced,
• the latter can be easily detached, washed and reinstalled.

Important: For information on whether the cartridge / mesh can be restored or replaced, look on the packaging.

The advantage of cartridge filters is the high quality of cleaning (retain particles of 0.5-30 microns).

Such coarse filters for water, or rather their housings, can be plastic or steel.

• The former are optimally suited for cold water pipelines. Their transparent body makes it easy to control the degree of contamination.
• The latter are able to withstand high temperatures, so they are mounted on DHW lines.

3. Pressure models They are a reservoir with filter material into which water is supplied with pressure. Despite some inconvenience associated with the need to place a rather bulky structure, such products are optimally suited for removing impurities of different fractions (having different particle sizes).

Principle of operation

Regardless of the device, the general principle of operation of such filters is to create an obstacle for the passage of particles of insoluble impurities. Mesh filters for water purification provide this opportunity due to the size of the cells filled with filtering material, cartridge models - due to the small size of the gaps between its particles (granules), as well as due to the ability of silt, clay or other impurities to settle on the material with a decrease in flow rate , which is observed when an obstacle in the form of a filter layer appears in the way of water.

In cottages and private houses, filters with material (backfill) are used not in the form of cartridges that do not have a very high performance, but in the form of separate tanks (one- or two-chamber).

Installation and cleaning

The method of installing a coarse filter on water is chosen depending on the design, however, experts recommend choosing detachable connections not only for models that need to be periodically removed from the system for flushing, but also for stationary models, including bulk tanks. This will make it easy to dismantle the structure if repairs are necessary.

Please note that filters are mounted at the water inlet to the apartment (house) before its subsequent wiring to water consumption points in front of the meter.

Important securely seal all joints to prevent leakage. The presence of valves allows you to shut off the water supply during revision, cleaning and repair. Stationary models often complement bypass lines to provide water supply in case of emergency.

The easiest way to install mesh filters on the water:

• flanged models are mounted in a flange,
• couplings cut directly into the pipeline.

It is important to remember that installing a filter can increase the overall length of the communications section.

• A self-cleaning coarse filter requires a drain pipe to be connected to the sewer.
• Cartridges are easily installed in a complex filter connected according to the attached diagram.

Backfill tanks are distinguished by a complex connection scheme, since the principle of backwashing is used for their cleaning, which means that the piping of such filters provides for turning off the direct flow, supplying water for the time of washing through the bypass line, returning the washing liquid and draining dirty water during the washing process.

The operation of coarse water filters with the possibility of self-cleaning does not require any intervention from the user in the absence of malfunctions.

If we talk about how to clean the coarse filter, then the simplest mesh filters must be dismantled, after blocking the water flow. After that, the accumulated retained particles of rust, sand, etc. are shaken off the grid, after which the grid and the body are thoroughly washed and the structure ready for work is installed in place.

Choice

The main characteristics of filters for coarse water purification are their performance and linear size retained particles.

The filter performance is selected according to the volume of consumption in order to avoid interruptions in the supply or a significant reduction in pressure. When using low-performance filters, storage tanks are often installed, where water is collected at a time when no one is using the tap, and when the latter is opened, it provides the necessary flow.

The size of the grid cells or the ability to retain particles of a certain size must correspond to the quality of the initial liquid, the type and amount of insoluble impurities. If a fine-mesh model is installed to treat heavily polluted water, it will have to be removed and rinsed too often. In some cases, filters with large and fine meshes are installed in series.

Popular filter models

Many well-known manufacturers in the production of coarse filters for water improve their products in certain directions. Therefore, products of many brands have characteristic features that should be considered when choosing designs.

Photos of different filters