30″ Replacement Carbon Filters

Description

Carbon filters remove oils, pesticides, excessive chlorine, and persistent organic pollutants.  They are typically used in whole-house filtration and drinking water applications.  Carbon filters require regular changes to stay effective.

Three main categories of filters are available:

• Carbon Block –  Densely packed carbon particles pressed into a solid block.  This design provides maximum protection from organic molecules because the water must pass through the block to exit the filter.  There is limited surface area, so this filter requires the most frequent changes.  This is the best design for removing chlorine and improving drinking water’s taste.
• Granular Carbon – Carbon from cleaned and processed carbon granules. There is abundant surface area, but water particles can escape without capture.
• Carbon-impregnated pleated – An even coat of activated carbon is applied and bonded to a polyester, polypropylene, or other pleated filter.

Filter Quality – Carbon filters are rated in microns (One millionth of a meter).  Smaller sizes do a better job of filtering but require more frequent changes.  Higher-quality filters capture more impurities and require more frequent changes.  For comparison, hair from a typical person is 50 to 90 microns.

• 0.5 micron – Filters most contaminants.
• 1 micron – Removes fine sediment, bacteria, and cysts. They are commonly used where microbiological purity is crucial, such as in healthcare facilities and drinking water purification.
• 5 microns – Removing more significant sediment, rust, and dirt. Suitable for general-purpose sediment filtration in residential and industrial settings.  Slightly less efficient than smaller micron filters; however, these filters last longer.
• 10 microns – Removing sand, silt, and finer particles. They are often installed in series with finer micron filters to capture bigger particles before they clock the fine filters.
• 20 microns – Removing larger particulates and sediment.  Moderately dirty water benefits from having a 20-micron filter upstream to capture larger particle
• 25 microns – Similar performance to the 20-micron size
• 50 microns –  Captures larger debris and sediment. It is often used as the first filtration stage to prevent clogging of subsequent filters.
• None – Refillable granular activated carbon filters do not have a built-in sediment filter.  Pre-filtration is highly recommended.

Filter Type

• DOE – Double open end – The filter housing seals both at the top and the bottom of the filter
• SOE – Single open end – One end is sealed and does not rely on the housing to seal the filter
• WQ Quick Change – Watts Quick Change technology

How to increase carbon filter life?

• Install a Pleated Sediment Pre-filter ahead of the carbon filter to remove easy-to-capture particles.  Pre-filters are much less expensive than carbon filters, and Pleated Pre-filters will hold the most particles.
• Could you install a depth filter between the pleated and carbon filters?  These filters don’t hold as much dirt as pleated filters, but they are great at capturing long and skinny particles.

How is this stuff made?

The base material consists of carbon-rich materials like wood, coconut shells, lignite, or even certain types of coal.  The process involves heating the carbon to high temperatures to remove the cell membranes and leave the cell walls in place.  This creates an interconnected network of pores and cavities.  Organic molecules rub against the surface of the cavities and are attracted to the walls.  The next step is to grind particles.

• Granular Carbon – A course grind produces particles of varying sizes that pack well.  Sold in a convenient throw-away cartridge.
• Granular Carbon Refillable – A course grind produces particles of varying sizes that pack well.  Filter cartridges and media are sold separately.
• Carbon impregnated pleated – A medium or fine grind coated and bonded to a polyester, polypropylene, or other pleated filter.
• Carbon Block –  A fine grind produces a powder molded with the help of a binding agent like food-grade polypropylene.