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Automatic Iron Filters
For medium concentrations of iron, the use of an
oxidizing filter can be a most effective means of
treatment. When used, such a filter should be placed in
the water line ahead of the softener.
Oxidizing filters normally contain a base material
that has been coated with manganese dioxide.
These manganic oxide deposits convert the soluble
ferrous iron in the water into ferric iron. As the
ferric hydroxide forms, it is filtered from the water by
the granular material in the tank.
With high concentrations of iron, small pumps,
eductors, or other devices may be used to fed chemical
oxidizing agents such as household bleach (chlorine) or
a permanganate solution in the water
Like the manganese dioxide in an iron filter, these
chemical oxidizing agents convert ferrous iron to the
ferric state. The contaminant can be removed by running
the water through a simple sand filter when chlorine is
used and through an iron filter when permanganate is
used.
The use of superchlorination - dechlorination is a
means of removing iron from the water. This variation of
the oxidation-filtration concept uses two basic devices:
one feeds chlorine into the water, the other removes any
excess chlorine.
The injection of the full strength chlorine bleach
into the water converts the ferrous iron into ferric
iron. This insoluble gel is then removed from the water
by simple filtration. A dechlorinator unit (usually an
activated carbon filter), is then installed to remove
excess chlorine, especially from drinking water.
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