Filtered Water Machines
Convert everyday tap water into delicious, healthy refreshment that you and your family can enjoy. Our filtered water machines are designed to be easy-to-use, efficient and sustainable.
They’re also a great alternative to buying expensive, plastic-bottled water. Learn how they work and what technologies they use to purify your drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis uses water pressure to push water through a semi-permeable membrane that only allows water molecules through. As a simple experiment, you can try this at home by taking two equal containers of water and putting them on opposite sides of a semi-permeable membrane like a screen door or Gore-Tex clothing. The water molecules will move from the less concentrated side to the more concentrated side due to osmosis, but pests and any other larger contaminants are blocked from passing through the membrane.
Reverse Osmosis is one of the most comprehensive methods of water filtration. Quality RO systems reduce up to 99% of dissolved salts, minerals, metals, bacteria and pyrogens. In addition, an RO system is effective with a wide range of taste, color and odor-producing chemicals, particulates and total dissolved solids (TDS).
Pretreatment is recommended for any home using reverse osmosis for drinking water. If certain minerals, chemicals or bacteria make it to the RO membrane before it is protected by pretreatment, they can absorb onto the surface and cause biofouling of the membrane, resulting in reduced contaminant removal capacity.
Kinetico offers a variety of third-party certified RO systems that are designed to remove different contaminants in your home’s water. For example, our Neo-Pure system features a proprietary RO membrane that is known for its high cleanability and antifouling properties. This helps to extend the lifespan of the membrane and keeps maintenance costs low. The system also includes pretreatment to ensure the best results.
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is a key component of most water filtration systems. Its main function is to remove organic chemicals, allergens, and filter water machine other particles from vapor and liquid streams through a process called adsorption. Essentially, it works like a sponge that has an exceptionally large surface area to attract and trap contaminants. The contaminants are absorbed by the activated carbon through ionic, polar, and Van der Waals forces.
Several types of high-tech activated carbon are available for industrial filtration systems, and each type has distinct performance characteristics. Depending on the specific contaminant, the desired level of purity, and the method of adsorption, a suitable activated carbon can be chosen to meet the system’s requirements.
For example, coconut shell activated carbon is a common choice in POE (pressure-oxidation) systems because it effectively removes VOCs, THMs, hydrogen sulfides, chlorine, TCE and PCE, detergents, taste, and odor. It is also more environmentally-friendly than most other carbon sources because it doesn’t require the destruction of a tree.
Another popular type of activated carbon is impregnated carbon. It is typically infused with metals such as silver and iodine to enhance the chemical filter water machine factory process capacity. The resulting material is usually hard and has reduced dust generation compared to steam- or chemically-activated carbons. This type of carbon is also known as catalytic carbon. It has all the adsorptive characteristics of unimpregnated carbons, but it can also initiate and promote certain chemical reactions.
Micron Filtration
The micron rating of a filter determines the size of particulates that will be removed from the water. This pore size can be either Nominal or Absolute. A filter with a nominal micron rating will only remove 95% of contaminants that are the same size as the stated pore size, while an absolute micron filter will eliminate 99% of the same sized particles. Nominal pore sizes are more common with sediment filters as they provide a longer life and larger surface area than filters with an absolute micron rating.
Sediment particles are not strangers to many tap water supplies and can clog pipes, damage appliances, cause bad taste and even health issues when left untreated. Filters with a 1-micron rating or lower are recommended to effectively filter these particles from your drinking water.
In addition to sediment, chemical contaminants can also contaminate your home water supply. These chemicals can be the result of industrial runoff, disinfection or leaching from old plumbing systems and can have a wide range of effects on human health. A point of use micron filter rated to 0.5-microns can trap these chemicals and prevent them from entering your drinking water. This is especially helpful for those living in cities that are prone to chlorine contamination. A 0.5-micron filter will also trap cysts, which are parasitic bacteria that can cause serious health problems in humans.
UV Light
By mimicking sunbeams, UV light disinfects your water in a safe and effective manner. It’s the most effective way to eliminate harmful pathogens like viruses and bacteria from your water. Unlike chemical disinfectants, which can create potentially toxic byproducts, UV light sterilizes your water without any nasty side effects.
It’s a great option to use alongside other types of filters for a complete drinking water solution. For example, it can be placed before or after a reverse osmosis filter. The UV lamp works by emitting a germicidal wavelength of UV radiation that destroys the DNA of bacteria and viruses so they can’t reproduce. It also kills giardia and cryptosporidia, two parasites that are resistant to chlorine and other chemical disinfectants.
UV water disinfection systems do require maintenance. You’ll need to replace the UV bulb occasionally, but it’s a simple process that doesn’t require any technical knowledge or tools.
Adding UV to your home water filtration system will help to improve your drinking water quality, but it’s not an effective solution for all of your household’s water needs. Consider a whole-house water filtration system or an activated carbon, reverse osmosis, or KDF filter for comprehensive cleaning and purification. You can even combine these systems for a high-performance water filter that removes chlorine from all of your family’s beverages.