What
are KDF® Process Media
and how do they work?
KDF® Process Media are high-purity, granulated copper and zinc-based
alloys that treat water through a process based upon the principle of
redox (Oxidation-Reduction). Originally, KDF was shorthand
for Kinetic Degradation Fluxion.
We can explain redox like this: KDF Fluid Treatment’s unique
combination of copper and zinc creates an electro-chemical reaction.
During this reaction, electrons are transferred between molecules, and
new elements are created. Some harmful contaminants are changed into
harmless components. Free chlorine, for instance, is changed into benign,
water-soluble chloride, which is then carried harmlessly through the
water supply. Similarly, some heavy metals such as copper, lead, mercury
and others, react to plate out onto the medium’s surface, thus
being effectively removed from the water supply.
Why
use KDF Process Media?
The marketplace is filled with good water filtration/purification systems
and technologies (We should know—many of those manufacturers are
some of our best customers.)
So…why consider using KDF Process Media? We can give you two
good reasons . One: Because KDF Process Media enhance the performance,
extend the life, reduce the maintenance and lower the total cost of
many available carbon-based systems. Two: KDF Process Media help control
microorganisms by creating an environment that’s deadly to some
microorganisms and that interferes with the ability of many other microorganisms
to function. Either way, the use of KDF Process Media results in the
total elimination of some contaminants and a great reduction of a wide
variety of others.
Benefits
of KDF Process Media
- Significantly extend the life of granular activated carbon
- Are recyclable
- Effectively remove chlorine and heavy metals and control microorganisms
- Are available in four granular styles, each designed for a specific
need
- Outperform silver-impregnated carbons
- Require no EPA Hazardous Material registration
Where
are KDF Process Media used?
KDF Process Media are used in a variety of pretreatment, primary treatment,
and wastewater applications. They are generally used in place of, or
in conjunction with, granular activated carbon filters, even carbon
block or inline filters. KDF Process Media extend the life of granular
activated carbon (GAC) while protecting the carbon bed against fouling
by bacterial growth.
Our Media are also used to replace silver-impregnated systems. Silver
is toxic, KDF Process Media are not. Silver must be registered with
the EPA as a toxic pesticide, KDF Process Media do not. By the way,
silver is more expensive than KDF Process Media.
| KDF
Process Media vs. Activated Carbon |
| |
KDF
Media |
Activated
Carbon |
| Life
|
More than
6 years |
Only 6 to
12 months |
| Bacteria
and Algae |
Controls Both |
Permits Growth |
| Disposal
|
Recyclable |
Hazardous
Waste |
| Mechanism |
Oxidation/Reduction |
Adsorption |
| Lb/cu
ft |
171 |
35 |
| Contaminants
Eliminated |
Inorganic
|
Organic |
| |
What
about KDF Process Media and RO, DI and IX systems?
Reverse Osmosis (RO), Deionization (DI) and Ion Exchange (IX) systems
benefit from the use of KDF Process Media because our Media allow these
systems to tend to their strengths. Our Media protect RO systems from
chlorine degradation and bacterial contamination, extending the life
of the systems’ membranes. KDF Process Media protect expensive
IX systems from becoming fouled with chlorine, algae, fungi and bacteria.
Less fouling, longer life and reduced maintenance, all combine for lower
costs.
| KDF
Process Media vs. Silver-Impregnated Carbon |
| |
KDF
Media |
Silver-Impregnated
Carbon † |
| Life
|
More than
6 years |
Only 6 to
12 months |
| Bacteria
and Algae |
Controls Both |
Permits Growth |
| Disposal
|
Recyclable |
Hazardous
Waste |
| Mechanism |
Oxidation/Reduction |
Adsorption |
| Heavy
Metals |
Yes |
No |
| pH |
6.5 to 8.5 |
Sensitive |
| Use |
POU/POE, Industrial,
Commercial |
Home Water
Filter Products |
| US
EPA Registration |
Not Required |
Required |
† Note: Gulf South Research Institute found
silver-impregnated carbon provides the same performance as activated
carbon, except in low pH water.
|
 |
KDF Lab Test Results from
Biological Research Solutions
Laboratory Service Performed: Analysis of the mode of action of KDF versus Pseudomonas fluorescens.
Table 1- Testing Protocol
Sample
# |
Bacterial
Injector |
KDF
Column |
Description of Purpose |
| 1 |
Off |
Off |
Control: |
Measure survival of Ps. fluorescens in water that has passed through the system KDF off by inoculating after collection. |
| 2 |
Off |
On |
KDF
Elution: |
Measure survival in water that has passed through KDF by inoculating after collection. |
| 3 |
On |
Off |
Control: |
Measure survival of Ps. fluorescens that have been injected into the system with KDF off. |
| 4 |
On |
On |
KDF
Contact: |
Measure survival of Ps. fluorescens that have come in direct contact with KDF. |
All water used for testing was deionized and injected with AOAC synthetic hard water to a final concentration of 100 ppm and a pH 7.0 +/-.2
Following collection, the samples were surface plated on Plate Count Agar within 2 to 3 minutes of collection and again after incubation at room temperature for 3 hours.
The same inoculums of Pseudomonas fluorescens was used for injection in to Samples 3 and 4 or for addition to Samples 1 and 2 (added after collection of the water).
Table 2 - KDF Testing Results.
Experiment #
(Date) |
Sample #* |
Time
0 |
Time
3 hours |
| I: 7-18-90 |
1 |
900 |
740 |
| |
2 |
810 |
650 |
| |
3 |
440 |
570 |
| |
4 |
4 |
0 |
| II: 7-19-00 |
1 |
1800 |
1600 |
| |
2 |
1800 |
30 |
| |
3 |
2100 |
1900 |
| |
4 |
350 |
33 |
| III: 7-21-90 |
1 |
580 |
460 |
| |
2 |
580 |
31 |
| |
3 |
650 |
330 |
| |
4 |
390 |
0 |
| IV: 7-23-90 |
1 |
740 |
630 |
| |
2 |
740 |
180 |
| |
3 |
770 |
470 |
| |
4 |
360 |
42 |
| Average: |
1 |
1000 |
830 |
| |
2 |
30 |
220 |
| |
3 |
990 |
820 |
| |
4 |
280 |
19 |
* Sample numbers are described in Table 1.
Table 3 - Chlorine removal by KDF.
Pump Rate
Pulse per Minute |
Calculated ppm
Free Chlorine |
Measured
ppm
(KDF Off) |
Measured
ppm
KDF (On) |
| 10 |
1.8 |
1.6 |
Less than .1 |
| 40 |
7.4 |
6.0 |
0.5 |
| 80 |
14.0 |
14.0 |
1.5 |
| 120 |
21.0 |
20.0 |
2.5 |
Figure 1: KDF Model Water Test System
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lab Test
Results from PatChem Laboratories
| Customer: |
Systematix
Inc. |
| Sample
Date: |
3-23-90 |
| Report
Date: |
5-04-90 |
| Sample
ID: |
9003-1233B
Di-Tech KDC+1.5 |
| Subject: |
One
Systematix 9-3/4" filter cartridge was received for testing
to determine its ability to remove heavy metals from water. |
| Method: |
Reagent
grade lead chloride was spiked into drinking water and run through
the filter per manufacture and NSF specifications. The influent
and effluent water were tested per EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis
of Water and Waste (EPA-600/4-79-020). |
| Total
Flow |
Influent
Water |
Effluent
Water |
%
Removal |
| 1
Gallon |
0.17
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 5
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 10
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 50
Gallon |
0.17
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 100
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 250
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 500
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 600
Gallon |
0.17
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 750
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 1000
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 1250
Gallon |
0.17
mg/L |
<
0.01 mg/L |
99.99% |
| 1350
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
0.03
mg/L |
81.25% |
| 1425
Gallon |
0.16
mg/L |
0.08
mg/L |
50.00% |
|
| Initial
flow: |
0.4
gallon/minute at 60 psi. |
| Cycle: |
10%
on and 90% off for a maximum of 16 hours/day. |
| Comments: |
The
Systematix 9-3/4" cartridge filter reduced the level of lead
pumped through the unit to a non-detectable level (<0.01mg/L)
to 1250 gallons. |
|
|
Home l KDF vs Silver-Impregnated Carbon
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