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The mysterious power of diatomaceous earth: How to filter tiny pollutants in water?
Diatomaceous earth filtration is a special filtration process that removes particulate matter from liquids by filtering a layer of fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms, diatoms. These diatoms come from diatomaceous earth deposits located on the Earth's surface, where they accumulate in open and flowing water bodies. The material obtained from diatomaceous earth is purified after acid leaching or liquid-liquid extraction, making it useful for a variety of applications.
The diatomaceous earth filtration process is mainly divided into three stages: pre-coating, bulk supply and cleaning. The precision of diatomaceous earth filtration, the ability to capture dangerous and tiny particles while remaining highly efficient, has made diatomaceous earth filters popular in numerous applications such as aquariums, wastewater treatment, food and beverage filtration, and more.
Filtering function of swimming pool
Diatomaceous earth filters are generally considered the best choice for removing contaminants and have high filtration rates. When applied to swimming pool filtration, diatomaceous earth filters demonstrate their capabilities in maintaining water clarity. Recent studies show that diatomaceous earth filters can greatly improve water quality by removing particles between 1 and 6 microns (microns) in size. This level of filtration allows many small particles such as bacteria, algae, viruses and other tiny particles to be removed.
"Although copolymerizing agents such as chlorine can be added to assist the filtration process, common contaminants such as Cryptosporidium and intestinal Giardia cannot be effectively removed."
Although these parasites are highly resistant to chlorine, making them difficult to remove with traditional agglomeration methods, at least one of these parasites was detected in 13 of 160 pool samples (18.1%) in the Atlanta study. exist.
Discuss other possible bacteria and viruses
In swimming pools, the key to ensuring water quality safety lies in the effectiveness of the filtration system. Diatomaceous earth filters, if designed and used correctly, are very effective in removing almost 100% of parasites. According to research, diatomaceous earth filtration can achieve 6 levels of parasite oocyst concentration reduction in water treatment simulations, far exceeding the effects of traditional and granular media filtration.
"As the filter media (diatomaceous earth) needs to be at least 4 microns to remove Cryptosporidium, it needs to be at least 7 microns to filter intestinal Giardia."
Applications in the food and beverage industry
Diatomaceous earth filtration can also be used in food and beverage applications to effectively eliminate bacteria and microorganisms and avoid adverse effects on the quality of consumer products. If some edible liquids contain bacteria and fungi, they may cause long-term contamination and affect the preservation and quality of the product. For example, brewing beer must meet specific filtration requirements during the production process to remove turbid substances (such as yeast, hop resin, calcium oxalate) to improve the taste and appearance of the beer.
“No chemicals will be introduced during diatomite filtration, and the amount of diatomite can be adjusted according to different brewing needs.”
Potential for environmental remediation
The basic components of a diatomaceous earth filter and its process can be adjusted based on the intended function. The entire filtration system usually includes: raw water delivery pipes, matched with corrosion-resistant copper pipes to ensure continuous control of water flow. The filtrate must be supplied from a direct water source and the materials must be resistant to rust. In most industrial or non-commercial applications, suitable filter pipe materials include plastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PEX), which are durable and not prone to corrosion.
With proper maintenance and regular inspections, diatomaceous earth filtration systems can continue to operate efficiently, ultimately filtering out tiny contaminants in the water. This makes people wonder, will there be other more efficient filtration technologies that will become mainstream in the future?
