Iron / manganese, because they are rather closely related heavy metals are often found together. They give rise to similar problems in water supplies, and fortunately, they generally respond to the same treatment processes for their removal. Therefore, they are usually treated as one subject, although, as will be seen, they differ greatly in their chemistry.
The Pureflow Iron & Manganese Removal Process
The Pureflow system for iron and manganese removal is an improved design for the water treatment industry. A highly adsorptive, NSF approved, media and chemical pretreatment system combined to provide a simple compact filtration system requiring only weekly attendance by maintenance personnel.
Well waters containing iron and/ or manganese, along with other dissolved contaminants, are treated with chlorine prior to filtration. This step oxidizes these contaminants to a processable form and provides a free chlorine residual to the water distribution system.
The filtration step collects the iron and manganese on NSF approved adsorptive media in hydroxide form. The filter media is cleaned by reversing the flow using processed water. The typical backwash to filtration ratio is less than 2%. The backwash water can be drained to a sanitary sewer; or an optional reclaim system can be supplied, allowing approximately 99.9% recovery/recycle.
The chemical pretreatment is manually set and automatically operated. Stand-by equipment provides continuous uninterrupted treatment. The filter effluent is continuously monitored with a chlorine residual analyzer to ensure complete oxidation of contaminants and disinfection of the treated water.
Automatic filter operation is provided by a system control panel which includes a programmable logic controller with an operator interface. The control panel operates the well pump, system valves, filter cycles, and the chemical pre-treatment system.
Pitot testing of each well water is recommended to determine oxidation demand, filtration process design (chemical dosage rate, vessel sizing, etc.) and operational costs. Pureflow will provide pilot testing equipment and field personnel.
