How CuZn
Water Filtration Works
How copper-zinc water treatment systems work
The combination of copper and zinc (patented under the trade name KDF®)
in water treatment systems removes chlorine, chloramines, iron, lead,
bacteria, hydrogen sulfide, and hundreds of other problem contaminants
from the water supply. It also reduces scale and hardness.
The EPA has certified KDF as a pesticidal device
because of KDF's ability to control bacteria, algae, fungus, mold and
legionella through the natural redox process without the release
of harmful ions. KDF has also been certified by the New Jersey EPA as
Best Available Technology for mercury removal from contaminated wells
and other water. KDF media is recyclable, non-hazardous material. It
remains active longer than other media -- i.e., carbon -- and can be
effectively backwashed to further increase media life.
Works Alone or in Combination
Copper-zinc can be used alone or in concert with traditional treatment
processes (such as carbon and reverse osmosis) for a synergistic blend
of media. Copper-zinc assists traditional treatment by extending the
life of carbon or reverse osmosis membranes, by maintaining a
bacteriostatic environment inside the filter, and by leaving a residual
of copper and zinc hydroxides in the treated water to discourage
bacterial growth.
Lasts Longer than Carbon
With a lifespan of 10 to 20 times that of carbon, copper-zinc is the
most efficient, longest lasting, and lowest maintenance filtration media
on the market. It removes the weak link in most water treatment systems:
the monitoring and maintenance and component replacement required by
these systems.
CuZn systems perform better because the compact, dense copper-zinc alloy
has no pores that plug up, is not soft like carbon, has no membranes to
replace, remains bacteriostatic, and can be easily backwashed for years
of use.
Filters by Catalytic Action
CuZn media functions by catalytic action, using the age-old redox
(reduction-oxidation) principle of dissimilar metals. Water containing
dissolved oxygen, minerals, and organic materials enters a bed of the
copper-zinc alloy, with the copper becoming the cathode and the zinc
becoming the anode.
The space between each granule of alloy in the media bed becomes an
electrolytic cell. The water and contaminants act as electrolytes.
As contaminants and oxygen pass through, a reaction takes place, causing
zinc hydroxides and copper hydroxides to form in controlled amounts.
These controlled releases of copper and zinc oxides (chelatable by the
body) are carried into the filtered water and provide hostile conditions
for algae, fungus, and bacteria growth.
Eliminates Hard Scale
Within a water system, calcium and magnesium can adhere to plumbing and
water appliances by forming crystalline scale structures. These become
hard, interfere with heat transfer and eventually cause loss of water
flow and pressure.
Copper-zinc reshapes these hardness ions so they cannot adhere to each
other or to the inside of plumbing. Instead the calcium and magnesium
ions remain soluble in the water, thus reducing scale while adding life
to the water.
(Water without these minerals is flat and can be aggressive, since water
in its most natural state contains minerals such as calcium and
magnesium, picked up from the earth as it filters through rock strata.)
This scale reduction feature is ideal for cooling towers, hot water
heaters, water lines, plumbing, ice-makers, fountains, and other
water-using equipment and appliances.
Removes Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is present in many U.S. water supplies. Recognized by
its rotten egg odor and taste, it is a poisonous gas that can, in large
amounts, cause nausea and illness or death. It is also corrosive to
metals, which is especially serious in older plumbing systems that used
lead-based solder.
When hydrogen sulfide passes through copper-zinc
media, spontaneous oxidation removes the hydrogen sulfide by creating
zinc oxides and zinc sulfates. Zinc oxides and zinc sulfates are defined
as food supplements and nutrients by the Food and Drug Administration
(During the copper-zinc filtration process, minuscule traces of zinc and
copper are released into the water. In proper amounts, both copper and
zinc are necessary for healthy body functions. The trace amounts found
in CuZn filtered water are a small percentage of the minimum daily
requirement for these minerals.)
Meets NSF, EPA Standards
In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that copper-zinc,
patented as KDF-, qualifies as a mechanical device. This means the media
imparts nothing harmful to the water. The National Sanitation Foundation
tested KDF® and found it to be in compliance with its Standard 61 for
water treatment plant applications and Standard 42 for aesthetic effects
(taste, odor, chlorine reduction).
Removes Heavy Metals
Copper-zinc systems are excellent at removing heavy metals, often by
electroplating them to the media's copper-zinc granules. Under normal
circumstances, CuZn filtration removes 90 to 98% of heavy metals,
including lead, iron, arsenic, and cadmium.
Works With Chlorination
When iron, hydrogen sulfide or bacteria are present in large
concentrations, CuZn filtration can be preceded by chlorination and
retention time. Chlorination oxidizes these contaminants and assists the
copper-zinc media in their removal. The copper-zinc, of course, then
removes the chlorine and remaining contaminants from the water.
With carbon-only systems, this combination of chlorination and
filtration is not efficient because the carbon is quickly depleted when
high levels of chlorine pass through it.
Works With Carbon
Many CuZn systems use carbon filtration in concert with chlorination and
copper-zinc filtration to treat water with high levels of organic
contaminants which carbon is excellent at removing.
Because the carbon is not removing chlorine (the copper-zinc does this
before the water reaches the carbon) and because the copper-zinc
provides a bacteriostatic environment, carbon's life is greatly
increased. (Bacterial fouling of the carbon media is a serious problem
in carbon-only water filtration and requires frequent media
replacement.)
System Approach is Best
Water filtration technology has reached the point where using a
combination of treatment methods allows a system approach to water
quality problems and provides better water quality.
CuZn Water Filtration Systems, Inc. has specialized in this approach
since its start in 1987 by combining the most advanced copper-zinc
technology with traditional filtration methods to solve a broad spectrum
of water problems.
Benefits
Removes inorganic contaminants like chlorine, lead, aluminum, mercury,
iron, sulfur, and lime scale just to name a few.
When used in conjunction with carbon, as most CuZn systems are, they
will remove
many organic contaminants like bad taste, odor, herbicides, pesticides,
THM's,
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and hundreds of other undesirable
elements
that may effect the quality of consumer water supplies.
These systems do not waste water, requires no electricity, no
maintenance, cost
less per gallon, and last twenty times longer than carbon only systems.
Install your CuZn Whole House System in as little as 1 to 2 hours, and
all that's left
to do is enjoy great water!
CuZn media eliminates scale and makes water act softer so you can use
less
shampoo and soap, and they do not strip water of its valuable minerals,
which
gives water its flavor and character.
Creates a bacteriostatic environment, which eliminates bacteria and the
need for constant
monitoring and change out, as required with carbon only systems.
The media is non-hazardous, non-corrosive and is recyclable.
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