Pfaffenbach Water Conditioning

RO systems are manufactured for water recovery, level reduction of total dissolved solids, and, health benefits, including micro-organism removal, as Cryptosporidium and Giardia lambia. They are effective in total organic carbon reduction.

Reverse Osmosis systems consist of pretreatment, pressurization, membrane filtration and post-treatment stabilization. PRETREATMENT involves incoming feed water chemistry, and, pre-filtration to control scaling and fouling. Pre-filters are used to remove large particles that plug the membranes. PRESSURIZATION applies operational pressure across the membranes. MEMBRANE FILTRATION  involves RO membranes that are semi-permeable and designed to separate water from dissolved solids. RO membranes have a pore size about 500,000 times smaller than a human hair. When pressure is applied, it forces lighter molecules (as water) to filter while blocking larger (as total dissolved solids). Up to 90 percent recovery can be obtained by returning some reject water through the modules again for additional treatment if necessary. The other 10 percent containing the largest molecules is disposed of down the drain. POST-TREATMENT is involvement of some product water, after the processing period, for pH adjustment to the neutral 7.0 pH (if needed) for suitable use.

RO systems generally require little maintenance if operating properly, and, to manufacturer's recommendations, and, requiring little owner attention. Some RO systems have indicators when modules need changing. Operating efficiency is generally comprised only by membrane fouling and scaling. SCALING causes loss of permeate, normally caused by precipitated salts on the membrane surface. The salts commonly associated with scaling are calcium carbonate, calcium fluoride, calcium sulfate, silica, and, magnesium hydroxide. CHEMICAL FOULING is caused by particles of organic and inorganic (or both) deposits present in the incoming feed water, later accumulating on the membrane surface. Fouling is prevalent on front-end stages of the RO treatment process.

As with anything mechanical, maintenance is routinely necessary. With proper maintenance of the system, the system will assure long-term efficiency of supplying quality drinking water to family. Pre-treatment of the incoming feed water by an on-line filter is recommended.

More writings and information is posted on the PFAFFENBACH WATER CONDITIONING, HUMBOLDT, IA  site.

About 30 to 40 percent of fresh water is underground, about 100 times, or more, as in rivers, lakes and streams. As underground water is used in residential, commercial, agricultural, and fire-fighting, it is replaced by rainfall, snow melt, and, sometimes by floods. Underground sources supply approximately one-third of water used, with approximately 30 to 40 inches of precipitation annually.

Animal and Crop water needs to produce 1 kilogram (kg) of food and crop, by liters (L): Beef 43,000 L/kg; Chicken 3,500 L/kg; Pig 6,000 L/kg; Sheep 51,000 L/kg; Alfalfa 1,100 L/kg; Corn 650 L/kg; Potatoes 630 L/kg; Wheat 900 L/kg; Sorghum 1,300 L/kg, and, Soybeans 2,000 L/kg.

All manufacturer's of water treatment equipment are actively seeking new methods and equipment to treat changes in water quality by nitrates, bacteria, and other contaminants. Sometimes the contaminants produce noticeable, objectional tastes, odor, and appearance. Others are not seen, however may be present in water. Those are reasons for a water analysis by private well water owners/users a minimum of every 18 months, or upon a noticeable change in water quality.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE  <> IRON <>  HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Iron bacteria is common when a combination of iron and hydrogen sulfide is found in water. Iron discolors and stains items it contacts, especially laundry, plumbing fixtures, tubs, stools, water heaters, washing machines, and, sinks where water is used in multiples of gallons and gallons at a time.

Hydrogen sulfide produces a rotten-egg smell and taste, and, sometimes gives the water a "metallic" taste, with a very  offensive odor and smell. It facilitates corrosive action due to its acidity, although weak. With oxygen presence, it tarnishes silver, pots and pans easily. In high amounts, hydrogen peroxide is poisonous and flammable, and will "foul" the resin bed of a water softener. With lower amounts of hydrogen sulfide, a water softener resin bed generally will not "foul", if properly back washed.

Possible solutions to eliminate a combination of iron and hydrogen sulfide in water is the use of either chlorine pellet injection, ozone injection, or, air injection. An analysis of the water will determine amounts present in the water, and,  help in determining/selecting the best equipment/method for removal of the problem.

In tests, hydrogen peroxide has become an effective and popular method due to its effectiveness as an oxidizer, and, does not require a retention tank for mixing hydrogen peroxide with water. Hydrogen peroxide is colorless, clear, a weak acid, and, is easily mixed with water. Hydrogen peroxide is stronger than potassium permanganate or chlorine, and, is very effective in solution at 7 percent. Seven percent hydrogen peroxide is easily obtained at many dealers and stores, such as Lowe's, Menards, and, Home Depot.

Hydrogen peroxide is sold in three grades, (1) food, (2) technical, and (3) NSF. NSF is harder to locate, as it is mostly used by municipal treatment plants, and is sold only at 35 percent concentration. If diluted from its 35 percent concentration, it is no longer considered as NSF grade.

A carbon filter is used to remove any trace of the peroxide, as it would to remove traces of chlorine in water. When using hydrogen peroxide for a combination of iron and hydrogen sulfide in water, the limit of iron presence in the water is limited to10 milligrams per liter, or less, for best effectiveness. The amount of hydrogen peroxide dosage is less than the amount needed of chlorine, or potassium permanganate, to produce the same result.

Water is a continuous process of evaporation and precipitation. The water cycle continues to move, collecting in ponds (small bodies of water), lakes (inland bodies of standing water of considerable size), rivers (naturally large flowing bodies of water), and, streams (flowing bodies of water smaller than a river). It continues to move until entering the earth as groundwater, and, then re-emerging as surface water. Thus, the main sources of our water is from those sources: (1) SURFACE WATER that is susceptible to toxic contamination from pesticides, industrial wastes, farm animals, etc.
(2) GROUNDWATER that is generally safer from toxic contaminants due to the depth necessary to obtain.

DUG WELLS are rare, as they are usually 3 to 4 feet in diameter, and, generally very shallow. These wells require the digger to work down, lining the well with 3 to 4 foot diameter concrete "piping" , in sections, creating sort of a "chimney" effect. The dirt has to be hauled up continuously. therefore, dug wells are practical only if the water table is near the surface. They can go dry during prolonged heat and drought, as water tables vary from day to day, especially if there is no precipitation to bring the water table to a needed level for water use.

DEEP WELLS require total suction lift of more than 25 feet. SHALLOW WELLS require total suction lift of 25 feet or less. BORED WELLS go back to China around 2640 B.C., and are bored with an earth auger to 100 feet in depth, or more, and, up to 30 inches in diameter. The earth auger is generally on the back of a truck, turned by power, 
which bores through the earth. Additional shanks are added to achieve more depth. When the auger is carefully pulled up, it leaves a fairly clean hole which must be lined with pipe made of concrete, clay, or, steel. Loose soil is not a good place for bored wells due to the need of firmness of boulder/rock laden soil for the well casing. Augers do not work well in solid rock, therefore, testing of the soil is made by the well professional prior to determining where a new well should be dug for best results in supplying water to the facility/area needing that water.

GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON= filter media for dechlorination and dissolved organic removal, including taste and odor. Designed for effective back washing for longer operational life of media.

MULTI-MEDIA TURBIDITY WHOLE-HOUSE FILTER= manufactured with media bed of gravel and sand for attaching of suspended particles, as clay and silt, which give the water a "cloudy" appearance. The multi-media bed accelerates back washing, preventing "channeling".

WHOLE-HOUSE NEUTRALIZING FILTER= uses a special media to raise acidic water pH, and, to neutralize the corrosive capability of acid water. Neutralizing filters sometimes can help in iron and manganese removal by raising pH, thus enabling the iron filters effectiveness. Depending upon incoming water pH level, periodic additions, or, replacement of media may be necessary. This can be done at a reasonable investment, if necessary, for assurance of the filters effectiveness in providing quality water to the home.

CHEMICAL-FREE IRON FILTER, WITH AIR INJECTION= a chemical-free iron filter utilizes two major components.
(1) An air injector installed in-line prior to the filter when dissolved oxygen is too low. (2) A back washing filter tank that "flushes" the media bed of precipitated iron to the drain, thus placing the filter in a "cleansed" condition for continual filtration. Eliminates ferrous (soluble-clear water) iron, and, ferric (precipitated-red water) iron from the water. Requires no chemicals and removes up to 35 parts per million of iron from water. Uses 90 percent less water for back washing, compared to conventional potassium permanganate regenerating filters. Generally, back wash every 5 to 8 days, depending on iron content of the incoming water, or, when a noticable difference can be detected in the water supply to the home.

MEDIA (MINERAL) PRESSURE TANK= filament wound for corrosion resistance, and, seamless constructed. Polyethylene inner liner, with epoxy resin, and, wound fiberglass outer shell. Carries a ten year manufacturer's warranty, if used in accordance to recommendations of manufacturer. Details available on exclusions, in warranty terms and conditions sheet.

++ INJECTOR BY MAZZEI=  injects any liquid, or, gas into any pressurized fluid stream entering the injector inlet constricted forward through the injection chamber, changing the stream to high velocity. As the high velocity stream enters forward to the injector outlet, the high velocity is reduced and changes to adequate pressure energy after the liquid has been drawn through the injection chamber that enabled the liquid to be drawn through a suction port.

++ ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER MEDIA=  porous granular from material such as a base of carboneaous content such as wood, nut pits, nut shells, animal bone, bituminous coal, and, anthricite coal. Surface area to volume mass ratio of 2.2 pounds per 1000 square meters per gram is relative to 100 miles of a two lane highway. Absorbs organics which affect odor, color, taste, toxicity, and, reduces free chlorine.

++ MANGANESE GREENSAND= black granules with nodules. Manganese-coated natural greensand used for removing soluble iron, manganese, and, hydrogen sulfide. Must be regenerated periodically with potassium permanganate  to remove impurities attached to the filter media.

GARNET= High specific gravity, hard, and, durable for more control during the backwash cycle, and, lowered loss down the drain. Provides for the ability to filter longer during operation.

ANTHRACITE=  Low in ash, for water filtration. Longer operation between back washes vs silica, and, quartz sand and gravel. Has a high flow rate, lowered back wash water pressure, and, greater use of the filter bed.

++ SAND= purified water is accomplished in 99 percent of the water through sand filtration. Upper sand layer filtrates, lower layer assists the back washing. Must be hard and free of soluble particles.

++ GRAVEL= used to keep smaller media out of the distribution system, eliminating "channeling" through media of the water flow. Three inches is the minimum layer required as a high amount is rounded and spherical in shape.

++ BIRM= No chemicals necessary for maintenance. Regeneration is not required on a regular basis, only periodically. Efficient in iron removal with long life efficiency. Will remove iron efficiently, and, manganese with a pH between 8 and 9.

++ FILTER AG = for efficient removal of dirt, with lowered back wash rate.

For further information on water treatment and terminology, refer to Pfaffenbach Water Conditioning, Humboldt, IA, or search "Google" and "Yahoo".

GRAINS PER GALLON (gpg)= 1/7000 of a pound, used in relation to hardness. ++ PARTS PER MILLION (ppm)= 1 part dissolved material in one million parts of water. Used as a measurement of iron, manganese, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), hydrogen sulfide, chlorides, sulfates, and, tannins. ++ MILLIGRAMS PER LITER (mg/l)= for water purposes, same as parts per million. A more accurate measurement where small quantities of certain elements causing problems in relation to iron, manganese, sulfur, nitrates, and, silica. ++ CONVERTING gpg TO ppm,OR,
mg/l= 1 grain per gallon equals 17.1 parts per million. ++ TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS= the weight of solids, per unit volume of water, which are in solution. This can be determined by evaporation of a measured volume of filtered water and the determination of the resulting weight. An alternative method to figure TDS is to measure the conductivity of the water. ++ FERRIC WATER (Red Water Iron)= iron oxidized in water that is visible by its presence as red in color.
++ FERROUS IRON (Clear Water Iron)= iron that is dissolved in water that is not visible, but is present in the water.

++ pH= the potential of hydrogen expressing hydrogen ion activity, or, known as concentration. pH is the intensity of acidity or alkalinity of water on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 as neutral. ++ pH SCALE: 0.0 is very extremely acid as in battery acid; 1.0 is extremely acid; 2.0 is extremely acid as in lemon juice; 3.0 is extremely acid as in vinegar; 4.0 is strongly acid as in orange juice; 5.0 is moderately acid as in boric acid; 6.0 is slightly acid as in milk, and, corn; 7.0 is neutral as in blood, and, distilled water; 8.0 is slightly alkaline as in baking soda, and, sea water; 9.0 is moderately alkaline as in borax; 10.0 is strongly alkaline as in Milk of Magnesia; 11.0 is extremely alkaline as in ammonia; 12.0 is extremely alkaline as in bleach; 13.0 is alkaline as in household lye; 14.0 is alkaline.

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HYDROGEN PEROXIDE= pale blue liquid, appearing colorless in solution. A weak acid with strong oxidizing properties, and, a powerful bleaching agent, used as a disinfectant. Commonly available at 3 and 6 percent concentrations. Mixed with baking soda and a small amount of liquid hand soap, hydrogen sulfide is effective at removing skunk and other odors on persons, animals, and other items. Rinse thoroughly after use. ++ BATTERY ACID= dilute sulfuric acid. ++ VINEGAR= sour tasting derivative of oxidizing alcohol in wine or cider; dilute acetic acid (colorless liquid used in manufacturing plastics and pharmaceuticals). ++ BORIC ACID= moderately acid solid, soluble in water and ethanol, used in glass manufacturing, paper, adhesives, and, is in some detergents. Also used as an antiseptic and food preservative. ++ BAKING SODA= white soluble compound used in wine, and, some bottled drinks, charged with carbon dioxide, generally giving off "bubbles". Also in baking powders and used as an antacid. ++ MILK OF MAGNESIA= milky white liquid of magnesium hydroxide, used as a laxative, and, in small doses, as an antacid. ++ AMMONIA= a pungent gas compounded of nitrogen and hydrogen. ++ BLEACH= generally 3 to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite (a salt used as a bleaching agent, or, disinfectant).

A drinking water system has various components which serve a distinct purpose. The first is a 5 micron pre-filter which removes suspended particles from the feed (incoming) water, reducing possibility of clogging the membrane. This filter  should be replaced every 8 to 12 months depending on the quality of the incoming water. Carbon filters are used in all systems that incoming water has been chlorinated, and a Thin Film Composite (TFC) membrane is used. The TFC membrane is the ONLY membrane bacteria proof.

After the pre-filter, water flows to a module containing a semi-permeable membrane. This separates water molecules from dissolved impurities in the incoming water. It uses hydraulic pressure greater than osmotic pressure in water containing dissolved solids. The membrane should provide 2 to 4 years of service, depending on incoming water quality.

The filtered water goes to a storage tank that holds 3 gallons of purified water. The flow of water to the RO is stopped by a shut-off valve when the storage tank pressure reaches two-thirds of the inlet pressure. When you open the RO faucet (spigot) for water, the purified water leaves the storage tank, entering the post-filter that is manufactured of granular activated carbon. This removes taste and odor from the water before it gets to the water spigot. This filter should be changed every 18 to 24 months, depending on the purified water quality.

The basic RO unit is compact enough to be placed under a kitchen sink, or, in the basement below the kitchen. A long reach one-fourth inch faucet (spigot) is mounted at the kitchen sink for convenience.

A flow restrictor is installed on the rejected water line which is sized for correct amounts of back pressure applied to the membrane surface. RO systems can ONLY be used on bacteriologically safe water, or, is adequately sanitized on a continuous time line. A TFC membrane is used on  non-chlorinated water, as it has a greater resistance to bacteria. On chlorinated water a TFC membrane is used as it is sensitive to chlorine, with a carbon pre-filter, therefore it removes the chlorine.

This information is relative to our systems, and, it does not pertain to any other brands manufactured. Each manufacturer has its own information pertaining to their systems.

Number of people: 1          Water Hardness: Up to 50 grains per gallon          Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal

Number of People: 2          Water Hardness: Up to 40 grains per gallon          Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal
                                                                      41 to 50 grains per gallon                                 30,000 grain removal

Number of People: 3          Water Hardness: Up to 30 grains per gallon          Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal
                                                                      31 to 40 grains per gallon                                 30,000 grain removal
                                                                      41 to 50 grains per gallon                                 40,000 grain removal

Number of People: 4          Water Hardness: Up to 20 grains per gallon          Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal
                                                                      21 to 35 grains per gallon                                 30,000 grain removal
                                                                      36 to 45 grains per gallon                                  40,000 grain removal
                                                                      45 to 50 grains per gallon                                  60,000 grain removal

Number of People: 5          Water Hardness: Up to 20 grains per gallon          Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal
                                                                      21 to 30 grains per gallon                                 30,000 grain removal
                                                                      31 to 40 grains per gallon                                 40,000 grain removal
                                                                      41 to 50 grains per gallon                                 60,000 grain removal

Number of People: 6          Water Hardness: Up to 15 grains per gallon           Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal
                                                                      16 to 25 grains per gallon                                  30,000 grain removal
                                                                      26 to 35 grains per gallon                                  40,000 grain removal
                                                                      36 to 45 grains per gallon                                  60,000 grain removal
                                                                      46 to 50 grains per gallon                                  90,000 grain removal

Number of People: 7          Water Hardness: Up to 15 grains per gallon          Softener Size: 20,000 grain removal
                                                                      16 to 20 grains per gallon                                 30,000 grain removal
                                                                      21 to 30 grains per gallon                                 40,000 grain removal
                                                                      31 to 40 grains per gallon                                 60,000 grain removal
                                                                      41 to 50 grains per gallon                                 90,000 grain removal

Over 7 people, contact water treatment dealer.

These recommendations are based on our equipment, and, not a recommendation to include other dealers or manufacturer's brands. Each dealer will have recommendations for their equipment.

If Iron or Manganese is present in the water as determined by the water analysis testing, add 4 grains per gallon to the hardness of the water for each 1 part per million of Iron, and, add 8 grains per gallon to the hardness of the water for each 1 part per million of manganese to conclude the total compensated hardness, and, select the proper sized equipment based on that evaluation.






















                                                                              
                                                                           
                                                                    
                                                                     
                                                                          


                                                                
                            
                                                                           


                                                                                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                    
         

A study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Water Quality Association (WQA) concluded there is no difference between the source of water and softened water, with a determination that softened water could be LESS corrosive than the source water without softening.

A water softener in the home could be a beneficial help in the control of corrosion, even for those on a chlorinated municipal water system. Removal of hardness minerals using a water softener does not increase water corrosion.

Naturally soft water, dissolved oxygen, and, low pH with lowered minerals in the water are causes of corrosion, NOT softened water. A softener could reduce amounts of solids. Water softeners do not affect the cause of natural corrosion, does not alter dissolved oxygen content, does not change pH of water, or, carbon dioxide concentration.

Therefore, the use of a water softener does NOT cause corrosion. A softener could be beneficial in all homes to help in having LESS corrosion.