Understanding Birm Filter Media
High-quality water is needed for drinking and industrial purposes. Most water supplies are public, the water utility company checks it to meet the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. If the water supply comes from a private well, it needs to be tested for possible treatment.
With this in mind, you need to treat the water before consumption or industrial use. If you have been looking at solutions for a water quality problem, you might have encountered multiple water treatment options. There are various types of water filtration systems you can choose from for a wide variety of issues, but the most recent development is the Birm media filter. So, what is it, and how does it work? Keep reading to find out.
What is Birm Filter Media?
Birm is a filtration method used to remove iron and manganese from water. The media used is Birm filter media which is a moderately dense aluminum silicon core impregnated with manganous salts. This results in a black granular filtration material that is extremely effective at removing iron from water. Birm stands for Burgess Iron Removal Method and this filter media has a lifespan of 8-10 years offering a service flow rate of 5 GPM per square foot.
How Does Birm Filter Media Work?
A standard water filter cannot remove iron particles and dissolved manganese. These two minerals need to be oxidized and precipitate into large particles for removal. The Birm filter media creates an insoluble catalyst, enhancing the reaction that takes place between the iron and manganese and dissolved oxygen. Once these minerals oxidize, the Birm filter media then strains the mineral contaminants.
However, over time, the oxidized solids will coat the surface of Birm media. The filter needs to be cleaned and cleared in order to work efficiently, so a powerful backwash or flush is required to keep the media clean. This is similar to a backwashing system on a standard iron filter and is extremely important. If an inadequate backwash is carried out, it can compromise the effectiveness of the Birm filter media and shorten the lifespan.
Advantages of Using Birm Filter Media
- Birm filter media has extremely high iron removal efficiency.
- It offers a tremendous economic advantage over many other iron removal methods as it is not consumed in the iron removal operation.
- Birm has a long life span with fairly low attrition loss and a wide temperature performance range.
- No regeneration is required as well as no chemicals to purchase for maintenance.
Birm Filtration Flow Rates
If you need to operate multiple plumbing fixtures and water using appliances at the same time, you need a filter with the right flow capacity. A Birm filter can be used as it has a high peak flow rate to meet the demand. If the water quality is low with one part per million of iron content, a Birm filter without needing any water pre-treatment can be used. If you’re not sure about how to proceed, contact us for help and advice before you make a final decision.
