Aquastab PH Correction Filtration Media
Aquastab Limestone Pebbles
Numerous borehole water or natural spring water supplies have a pH lower than 7, these waters are considered to be acidic and potentially damaging causing staining and corrosion.
An estimated 40% of all surface waters and predominantly the ground waters throughout South Africa consist of a low pH and low alkalinity. Due to this the water is considered as aggressive to concrete and can cause corrosion to metals, acidic water attacks pipes, conduits and reservoirs that can have an expensive after effect. Aquastab Pebbles also known as Calcite is an inexpensive limestone water purification media that neutralises both drinking water and acidic waste water, Aqua Stab Filter Media curbs corrosion by raising the pH of water.
Aquastab Pebbles Filter Media in Water Treatment
Water treatment with the use of an Aquastab pH correction filter, involves the use of a neutralising filter media such as aqua stab, generally composed of crushed and processed limestone also known as Calcite. Aquastab filter media dissolves into the feed water as it passes through the pH filter and the natural alkalinity of the Aquastab filter media raises the waters PH. It is important to note however that due to the calcium level within the pH correction water filtration media, the hardness of the water is also increased and may be expected to rise by around 50ppm. In such instances additional treatment by a water softener system may also be required.
How Aquastab pH Neutralising Filters Work
An Aqua Stab PH neutralising water filter is used if a water source is acidic and has a low pH. Aquastab Limestone Pebbles is a simple water treatment system that raises the pH of water by adding a neutralising material.
Aquastab calcite pH correction water filters are usually point of entry devices such as FRP filter media pressure filters or filter cartridge types that raise the PH of water to neutral levels (approx.7), this reduces or eliminates plumbing corrosion issues. Calcium carbonate treats water with a pH higher than 6 and sodium hydroxide will treat water with a pH below 6.
About Waters pH
When referring to the pH, it is an indicator of the acidity or alkalinity condition of water. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, 7 is the neutral point. The standard pH range of potable water is between 6 and 8.5. A waters pH is predominantly a result of natural geological conditions at the site and the type of minerals found in the local rock.
A waters pH can also be affected by acidic rainwater. A water with a pH value less than 7 is acidic and has the ability to be corrosive. Acidic water (low pH) can leach metals from plumbing systems, which can cause pipes to leak. Metals that leach from the pipes (lead from lead pipes or copper from copper pipes) may also cause health issues. Water with a value higher than 7 represents alkalinity and tends to affect the taste of the water also known as sweet water. Alkaline drinking water may take on a soda type taste. Corrosion problems also can occur in plumbing if the pH of water is too high.
Aquastab Used in the pH Adjustment of Water
Lime in its Various Forms: Aquastab Limestone Pebbles, Calcium Carbonate and PH Fix Calcite are the most effective and cost efficient pH neutralising filter media used in the purification of drinking water, as well as in wastewater treatment. Most of the lime that is produced these days is used in the treatment of drinking water and water used by industry. Lime as a water purification filter media, allows water to be softened, purified, have its cloudiness removed, the acidity to be neutralised and its impurities to be removed.
Because of all these advantages, explained in more detail below, calcium oxide (CaO) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) are used in drinking water purification plants. Calcined dolomite (CaO MgO), can also be used in water treatment plants, for example to eliminate silica from water. This is because the magnesium in the dolomite acts as the main reactive agent for the elimination of silica. The use of quicklime and slaked lime is much less common.
Thanks to the use of lime in water treatment plants an improvement in the taste, smell and colour of the water is achieved, among other benefits, because suspended matter is eliminated, and therefore any cloudiness is eliminated. Moreover, manganese, fluorides and organic tannins are also eliminated along with the afore-mentioned silica.
One of the most important features in this type of application is that of disinfection. When lime is added to water to take the pH up to between 10.5-11.00 for a period of between 24 to 72 hours it is possible to lower the quantity of bacteria and viruses in it, at the same time most of the heavy metals dissolved in it are also eliminated.