The Carbon Block is a more technologically sound solution to carbon-based water filtration than loose-fill filters. AQUAPHOR has created the next generation of carbon blocks, basing them on proprietary filtration components. Including AQUALEN in the filter makeup resolves multiple problems inherent in traditional carbon blocks.
Normally, a carbon block is made out of powdered activated carbon, mixed with finely shredded polyethylene, then baked. The baking process forces the small carbon granules (20 to 50 microns) to adhere to each other.
Normal carbon block.The resulting filtration medium possesses certain qualities (porosity, for example) that can be adjusted during the manufacturing process. These qualities remain constant during the entire life of the filter cartridge. Due to the fact that the carbon particles are bound to each other, carbon blocks display practically none of the "channeling" effects common in regular loose-fill filters.
The water purification market usually presents two kinds of carbon blocks: "good" and "not so good".
The "good" carbon blocks are effective at removing dissolved impurities due to their high density, which is achieved by using smaller size carbon granules. Unfortunately, these blocks very quickly become clogged with insoluble particles present in water - the loss of function can easily reach 50%. Their use in areas where the water carries a lot of sediment is costly and inconvenient.
The "not so good" blocks usually have a long service life and stand up to long-term use with water that carries a lot of mechanical impurities - the aforementioned sediment. Unfortunately, their long life is due to a tradeoff: large spaces between larger carbon granules. These blocks provide a much lower quality of filtration than the "good" kind.
AQUAPHOR has found a solution to this tradeoff by including AQUALEN, a proprietary ion-exchange fiber in its filters. Our carbon blocks are based on a mixture of granulated and fibrous filtration components which we're calling "carb/fiber block" (CF-block).
Carbon block Aquaphor to the fibers AQUALEN.AQUAPHOR's CF-blocks lack the disadvantages of regular carbon blocks, and have no equivalent in the market.
The advantages of using AQUALEN fiber:
AQUALEN is hydrophilic - unlike carbon, it is highly absorbent and can act as a distributing agent for the flow of water. This is particularly useful given the dense structure of the carbon block, and eliminates "dead zones" in the filter that wouldn't otherwise be recruited in the filtration process.
AQUALEN allows for significantly improved mechanical filtration of sedimentary impurities. AQUALEN's fibers loosen the structure of the carbon fill, allowing mechanical filtration throughout the entire volume of the filter.
AQUALEN fully filters out heavy metals.
