One of the most time-tested methods of water filtration involves the use of the reduction-oxidation (redox) potential of oxygen in the water. The process requires a zinc anode and a copper cathode. The method leverages the impurities in water as the constituent substrate. The copper-zinc water filtration process reduces these impurities to forms that are more chemically inert than before. The combination of these copper zinc water filters with carbon-based filtration systems in household setups increases their effectiveness. The inclusion of carbon-based filters with the Kinetic Degradation Fluxion mechanism can help in the removal of organophosphates, other organic matter, bacteria, and protozoa. The application of these filters in whole-house filtration systems has become popular once again in the recent years, due to its budget-friendly nature and high level of effectiveness.
How does a KDF filter work?
Unlike the addition of chemicals like chlorine and fluorides in the water, the KDF process relies on the “give and take” of electrons between molecules. When this exchange happens, it gives rise to new molecules that are chemically inert or harmless. For example – municipal water contains chlorine in free form. The reaction turns them into salts of chloride. These salts can make the water taste funky, but they are otherwise harmless for human beings.
Why is a KDF filter necessary at your home?
Several districts and specific regions experience higher levels of heavy metals like lead, mercury, and copper in the supplied water. In most cases, these metals react with the surface of the Kinetic Degradation Fluxion or KDF medium. The surface sequesters them successfully and lets the pure water flow freely through the pipelines. The redox process can remove over 98% of the chlorine and other water-soluble positively charged ions including lead, nickel, chromium, mercury, and copper. KDF is a rather simple way to bring the metal concentrations in supplied water in cities and suburban areas to an acceptable level.
How can you increase the effectiveness of the KDF filter?
The KDF process has been around since the mid-1980s. The KDF Fluid Treatment, Inc. had developed this technology for the removal of excessive heavy metals and free radicals from potable water. All advanced KDF filters meet the EPA standards for the levels of copper and zinc in the drinking water. Most water filtration companies use KDF in conjunction with carbon filters to eliminate the presence of organic impurities and coliform bacteria from the water. Carbon-based filters are not very good at removing heavy metals. However, together with copper-zinc filtration systems, they can render the filtered water safe for all sorts of consumption.
What are some of the advantages of the KDF filtration system?
Unlike several reverse osmosis (RO) and UV whole-house filtration systems, the cost of a KDF filtration unit is nominal. In fact, if you live in a moderately old home, you might find old units of KDF in home showerheads. They can operate at higher temperatures than most of the other filtration units. Even with consistent exposure to higher temperatures and higher levels of humidity, the carbon filters have a long lifespan.
