Filtersorb SP3

Description

Applications of FILTERSORB® SP3
FILTERSORB® SP3 is widely used in various residential, commercial, and industrial applications, including:

• Household Water Treatment – Whole-house point-of-entry filtration systems.
• Hotels & Resorts – Prevention of scale buildup in water heaters, showers, and fixtures.
• Food & Beverage Industry – Protection of coffee machines, steam ovens, and ice makers.
• HVAC Systems & Cooling Towers – Reducing maintenance costs and increasing efficiency.
• Car Wash Systems – Prevents mineral spotting on vehicles.

Does FILTERSORB® SP3 prevent corrosion?

No, FILTERSORB® SP3 does not prevent corrosion. Its primary function is scale prevention through Template-Assisted Crystallization (TAC), which converts dissolved hardness minerals into non-adherent micro-crystals. While this process effectively prevents scale buildup, it does not provide corrosion inhibition.

Why Doesn’t FILTERSORB® SP3 Prevent Corrosion?

• No Chemical Additives – Unlike some anti-corrosion treatments that introduce phosphates or silicates, FILTERSORB® SP3 does not alter the chemical composition of the water.
• Does Not Affect pH – Corrosion is often linked to acidic or highly oxygenated water. FILTERSORB® SP3 does not modify the pH, alkalinity, or corrosiveness of the water.
• No Protective Coating – Some anti-corrosion systems work by depositing a thin protective layer on pipes and surfaces. FILTERSORB® SP3 does not do this; it only neutralizes scale formation.

Corrosion is influenced by various factors, including water pH, oxygen levels, chloride content, and metal composition of the plumbing system. FILTERSORB® SP3 does not neutralize acidic water, remove corrosive elements, or create a protective barrier on metal surfaces.

How much FILTERSORB® SP3 to use?

Watch® recommends using 3 liters of FILTERSORB® SP3 to treat temporary hardness up to 450 ppm at a flow rate of 1 m3/h. In theory, FILTERSORB® SP3 can treat any level of temporary hardness depending on the system design and flow rate control. Water total hardness is calculated with respect to equivalent CaCO3 hardness.

The Pressure Vessel volume should be 6 to 7 times the volume of the media.

Why the Vessel Volume Should Be 6 to 7 Times the Media Volume

1. Prevents Channelling and Ensures Full Bed Utilization
When water flows too quickly through a small vessel or tightly packed media bed, it can channel, cutting narrow flow paths through the media, leaving large portions of it unused. By using a vessel that is significantly larger than the media volume, you ensure:

• Even distribution of water.
• Full contact with the entire media bed.
• Optimal treatment performance.

2. Provides Adequate Freeboard (Empty Space)
FILTERSORB® SP3 and similar media expand slightly under flow. A 6:1 vessel-to-media ratio ensures there is enough:

• Freeboard (empty vertical space) above the media.
• Buffer zone for water turbulence without pushing media into the upper strainer (especially important in upflow / downflow systems).

Freeboard helps prevent:

• Media carryover into plumbing.
• Premature media loss.
• Increased pressure drop.

3. Reduces Pressure Drop
A wider vessel provides:

• Lower flow velocity.
• Less friction loss across the bed.
• More efficient operation, especially at higher flow rates

This ensures the system operates within the recommended service flow rate (LPM) of the media and avoids excessive backpressure that could damage plumbing or reduce efficiency.

4. Ensures Proper Bed Expansion (if backwashable)
For systems like Katalox Light or AFM, which require backwashing, the vessel must allow for 50–100% media bed expansion during backwash. A 6:1 ratio accommodates this easily, even if FILTERSORB® SP3 typically doesn’t require regular backwashing.

What Happens If You Undersize the Vessel
If the vessel is too small for the media:

• Media may compact or fluidize, reducing treatment performance.
• Water may bypass the media due to channeling.
• Pressure drop may become excessive.
• Media may be pushed into the plumbing.
• Short-circuiting can occur, rendering the system ineffective.

Recommended Volume and Flow Chart vs Total Hardness

• For Borehole, Well Water, River Water and/or Dam Water, it is always advised to get the water tested trough as SANAS accredited water lab in accordance with SANS241 minimum recommendation for human consumption, before purchasing any water filtration equipment.
• The information and recommendations in this publication are based on data we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but do not imply any warranty or performance guarantee, as conditions and methods of use of the products are beyond our control. As such, Osmotech (Pty) Ltd makes no express or implied warranties of any kind with respect to this product, including but not limited to any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
• The filter media listed on this product page do not remove or kill bacteria. Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.
• The filter media on this product page does not have corrosion prevention capabilities.