KDF Process Media

What are KDF Process Media for filtration?

KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) process media are high-purity copper-zinc granules that reduce contaminants in water using an oxidation/reduction (redox) reaction. They are used in pretreatment, primary treatment and wastewater treatment applications in order to extend system life and to reduce heavy metal contamination, chlorine and hydrogen sulfide.

In which forms are KDF process media available?

KDF 55 granules: designed for removing or reducing chlorine and soluble heavy metals

KDF 85 granules: used to remove or reduce iron and hydrogen sulfide from water supplies

KDF-F fine mesh granules: can be incorporated into carbon blocks and other matrixes

KDF-C coarse mesh granules: are used for removal or reduction of soluble heavy metals and chlorine.

How do KDF Process Media work?

KDF process media work to reduce or remove chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, calcium carbonate, magnesium, chromium, bacteria, algae, and fungi.
KDF media exchange electrons with contaminants, changing them into harmless components. During their reactions, electrons are transferred between molecules and new elements are created.

How are chlorine, Iron, hydrogen sulfide and heavy metals removed?

Iron removal
KDF process media remove iron from water, either alone or in combination with other treatment technologies used at the point-of-entry.
KDF process media act as catalysts to change soluble ferrous cations into insoluble ferric hydroxide, which is easily removed by regular backwashing.
KDF 85 medium removes more than 90% of iron from
groundwater supplies.

Hydrogen sulfide removal
KDF 85 medium eliminates H₂S by converting the hydrogen
sulfide gas to insoluble sulfide, an inert, harmless precipitant.
When hydrogen sulfide contaminated water enters the KDF filter, the copper in the KDF media loses an electron and the sulfur gains an electron and copper sulfide and water are formed. The copper sulfide is insoluble in water and can be backwashed off the KDF filter media.
Periodic backwashing eliminates accumulations of the precipitant from the media bed.

KDF media control the build-up of bacteria, algae and fungi in organic based media such as GAC filters and in-line carbon filters, extending the life of the carbon as well as protecting downstream RO membranes and ion exchange resins form fouling.
KDF process media kill bacteria by direct electrochemical contact and by the flash formation of hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide, both of which interfere with a microorganism's ability to function.

Where is KDF Process Media applied?

KDF Process Media can be used alone or to protect existing water purification technologies.

• Municipal water treatment: KDF media are used to remove chlorine and other impurities from feed water entering public utilities, school and businesses.
• Commercial water treatment: KDF media are used in water treatment systems serving commercial facilities such as hotels and restaurants.
• Process water treatment: KDF media are used to remove chlorine and help control bacteria and scale build up in large-scale industrial water treatment facilities serving cooling towers, food and beverage plants and industrial laundry facilities.
• Medical water treatment: KDF media are used in medicals labs and centers or to remove mercury and other soluble heavy metals from feed water entering hospitals and from wastewater prior to discharging.

Which are the benefits of KDF Process Media?

• Effective removal of wide range of contaminants
• Cost effective
• Extend life and efficiency of carbon (GAC) filters
• Remains effective at higher water temperature
• Are recyclable
• Are available in four granular styles, each designed for a specific need
• Outperform silver-impregnated carbons
• Require no EPA registration

Which are the disadvantages of KDF Process Media?

• Best when combined with other filtration technologies for full spectrum protection
• KDF filters do not, by themselves, remove organic chemicals (pesticides, disinfection byproducts, MTBE, etc.), or parasitic cysts (giardia and cryptosporidium). If you are concerned about removing any of these contaminants, other strategies will be needed in addition to the KDF media
• KDF filters need to be backwashed periodically with hot water to remove the insoluble contaminants. This method wastes many gallons of hot water and there is no way to prevent dislodged pollutants from coming out later with the supposedly filtered water.

See also our web page about zeolites and Matrikx acrive carbon filters.