Subject:
[tt-forum] Do it you self-water filtering notes
From:
 
Date:
Mon, 26 Jan 2004 20:21:58 -0800
To:
TT-Forum 

I sent some of the information early last year. I have updated it and
now sending it again for your information.

I believe the currently available charcoal filter elements will soon
fill up with hydrocarbons after a PS and thus are not cost effective
when used individually.

One could let the oil separate from the water in a settling tank
(garbage can) then tap off the center of this first settling tank into
another garbage can so the water can slowly pass from top to bottom of
another garbage can full of crushed wood charcoal.  This will remove
hydrocarbons and improve taste before further filtering through fine
particle and carbon block filters.

One can purchase the original type charcoal with no "fast-lighting"
hydrocarbons added for this purpose. Charcoal made from wood has lots of
micropores and has a great affinity for hydrocarbons.  Charcoal made
from bones has relatively more affinity for heavy metals such as
aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, zinc and fluoride.
However, if one uses enough wood charcoal it would work for hydrocarbons
and heavy metals.

Reference to types of charcoal and what they are efficient at removing
see "wood" and "bone char" links under:
http://www.waterlink.com/bscarbons/coconut.html

In an emergency situation one can make both wood and bone charcoal on
your own see the following method.

Charcoal making in a primitive environment:
http://www.velvitoil.com/Charmake.htm

Particle filter elements of 5 and 10-micron filters are common and
relatively cheep.  If one filters to less than one micron a very high
percentage (99.99 is common) of parasitic organisms are removed.  If one
filters to .3 micron all the parasitic organisms are removed.  Filter
elements can be found (sometimes locally read the fine print on the
filters) that go down this low.  One can use 10 then 5 and then 1 micron
or smaller in 3 stages in standard 9.75" by 2.5" filter element sizes.
The enclosures for the cartridges are common at most home improvement
supply houses. The advantage of building a 3-stage unit is that it will
allow more dirty water to flow through it before it pugs up. Ozone
bubbled through the result can then be used the kill the very small
percentage of what makes it though or drops in from the air on an open
tank.  The following are some economical examples of what can be found
for the small particle size filter elements.

.5 micron cleanable (reusable) KX Matrikx Ceramic water filter element
#20-250-190-975 at $19.99 per each.

http://www.waterfiltersonline.com/kx_matrikx_water_filters_10std.asp
Then click on "KX Matrikx" manufacture.

Harmsco WB-1-W 1 micron - 9 3/4" L x 2 3/4" D - Polyester pleated
cleanable filter for $7.99

http://www.waterfiltersonline.com/harmsco_water_filters.asp
Then click on "Harmsco" manufacture.

Another cost saving Idea is to get a relatively cheap carbon block
filter at high micron size and filter to 1 or less micron with a
particle filter before passing the water though the carbon filter.  One
could then use KX Matrikx ® +CTO/2 Carbon Block Water Filter
#32-250-125-975 at 7.99 each in lots of 20 and then use the 1 micron
pelted filter above in front of it in the water circuit.

http://www.waterfiltersonline.com/kx_matrikx_water_filters_10std.asp
Then click on "KX Matrikx" manufacture.