IRONpro specializes in chemical free filtration. While chemicals benefit our lives in countless ways; they can also be problematic. The typical chlorine or hydrogen peroxide can cost hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars a year in just the chemical required to run the system. Because chlorine and hydrogen peroxide are slow actin oxidizers, these systems require large contact tanks. Not only do they take up a lot of space, they require routine flushing to removes solids that accumulate in the tank. Oxygen and ozone oxidize on contact and do not require large contact tanks. Once a chemical is introduced to the water supply, it must be removed. Most chemical treatment systems use activated carbon tanks to remove chemical residual. Activated carbon is an absorption media. This means that the carbon absorbs the chemical residual as well as the oxidized sulfur or iron. Carbon’s absorption capacity while impressive is limited and requires it to be replaced regularly to ensure chemical removal. In a typical system this must be done yearly and is a costly and messy process.
Some chemicals, such as chorine (sodium hypochlorite) leaves chemicals behind even if the carbon tank is working properly. When chlorine is introduced to water it breaks down into serval components. Hypochlorous acid which is responsible for oxidation and sanitation, and the chemicals used to stabilize chlorine in a liquid form, specifically sodium and lye. These chemicals cannot be removed by the carbon tank and remain in the water supply even if everything is working properly. Hydrogen peroxide can also be problematic. Peroxide is expensive, can be difficult to find, and requires extra vigilance from the user. While hydrogen peroxide does not breakdown into other caustic chemicals, it is colorless, odorless, and flavorless. This requires the user to ensure the proper function of their carbon tank to remove it from the drinking water supply. If the carbon has become exhausted, the only way to tell is to perform a peroxide test. Lastly, it is important to remember any chemical introduced to your water supply must be flushed from he system to a drain. This results in unwanted chemicals being introduction to the environment. IRONpro systems have been recognized by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for their lack of environmental impact and are exempted from many backlashing regulations because they do not introduce any unwanted chemical agents into the environment.
Chemical requirements for Iron Oxidation
| Oxidant | Amount needed to oxidize 1 ppm Iron |
|---|---|
| Oxygen (O2) | 0.14 ppm |
| Chlorine (C12) | 0.62 ppm |
| Ozone (O3) | 0.86 ppm |
| Potassium Permanganate (KmnO4) | 1.0 ppm |
| Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) | 0.5 ppm |
Chemical requirements for Hydrogen Sulfide Oxidation
| Oxidant | Amount needed to oxidize 1 ppm H2S |
|---|---|
| Oxygen (O2) | 0.68 ppm |
| Chlorine (C12) | 3.0 ppm |
| Ozone (O3) | 2.0 ppm |
| Potassium Permanganate (KmnO4) | 6.0 ppm |
| Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) | 1.05 ppm |