It is fortunate that chlorine, and some other bad taste and odours are fairly easily removed by activated carbon. There are a wide variety of filters which include activated carbon. Here are some differences between the two main types of activated carbon filter.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) uses small granules , but has a problem of carbon fines that must be flushed from the filter on installation. During its life due to abrasion between the particles, further fines can be released which can be passed downstream to the machine. GAC filters are normally rated at 5 to 20 microns and this is only achieved through the combination with other filter media for dirt removal.

Carbon Block can be more effective than GAC at removing chlorine, taste and odour, and there is minimal carbon fines. Carbon blocks use Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC), which is typically bonded or held into a rigid structure. Normally rated from 0.5 to 5 microns, carbon block filters can include claims for removal of microorganisms including cysts such as cryptosporidium. 3M Water Filtration offer carbon block filters as standard.

Virtually all machine manufacturers are now using water filters to ensure their dispensed beverages are consistent, and of course the drink tastes good. Also ensuring their machine is protected from damage due to sediments and harmful and costly scale.

Although they are using filtration, it may not be the best filter optimised for their application/machine. This means a lot of time and investment is made on supplying a first class machine, first class ingredients but poor water quality which results in an overall poor quality beverage and dissatisfied customers. Are all filters the same? Of course not!

Is it worth considering cheap filters and indeed why are they cheap?

Cheap filters may be cheaper than the others because they are off-the-shelf. The manufacturer sells the magic black box cure with no technical assistance and proof that the correct filtration is being used. You may be lucky and get a filter that fits your machine exactly, and provides a relatively good product water. Does it also come with easy filter replacement, without the need for a specialist engineer/tools or a means to offer an easy disinfection procedure? Other reasons for a low price, may be that the filter is manufactured from inferior materials and possibly poor quality filter media.

Can you be certain the filter is right for your application?

Working with a manufacturer with good reputation and experience in your area can help you make the correct filter choice. It is obviously in the interest of filter manufacturers to make absolutely sure that their filters match the exact requirement of the machine supplier. Some will offer training and scientific testing. A good company will be able to offer technical advice from the initial design of machine to actual installation of the filter, testing and after sales.

Here are some more factors to bear in mind when choosing a filter.

Materials of Construction & Independent Certification can be crucial factors when choosing your filter supplier. Filters need to be made from materials suitable for contact with drinking water ideally food grade materials and need to be structurally sound.

Due to the many options available, it is important to find a reputable filter partner such as 3M Water Filtration who can offer the best solution from a number of alternative technologies. This filter partner should supply products that are independently qualified e.g. by NSF. Provision of technical backup and support can be important so water problems can be resolved quickly.

Contact 3M Water Filtration on tel: 01344 858000 email: foodservice-europe@mmm.com

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---