"Filtralite provides superior filtration efficiency, particularly for fine filtration"

On Wednesday, November 20, at 15:00 CET, SWM in collaboration with Filtralite, will host a webinar 'How Filtralite Can Enhance Your Biological Wastewater and Drinking Water Filtration Process', which will dive into real-world applications, and unveil how Filtralite’s innovative solutions are revolutionizing water treatment processes for greater efficiency and sustainability. In this interview, we speak with Alexandre Branthonne, Sales Support for Filtralite, St-Gobain, to explore how the company’s innovative filter media offers a transformative solution. From its unique composition and structure to its ability to enhance biological filtration processes, Filtralite is redefining efficiency in water treatment.

What are the primary challenges utilities face when managing iron and manganese in wastewater, and how do these impact water distribution systems?

Managing iron and manganese requires robust treatment systems, regular maintenance, and long-term planning to ensure safe, high-quality water

Managing iron and manganese in wastewater presents several challenges for utilities. These metals can cause discoloration of water, leading to customer complaints and the need for additional treatment to restore water clarity. They also form solid precipitates that can clog pipes, filters, and valves, reducing water flow and increasing maintenance costs. Over time, this accumulation can damage infrastructure, leading to higher repair and replacement costs.

Iron and manganese contribute to the corrosion of metal pipes and equipment, shortening their lifespan and causing further contamination. They can also reduce the efficiency of filtration systems, increasing operational costs and potentially lowering water quality.

Though iron and manganese are not harmful at low levels, elevated concentrations—especially of manganese—can pose health risks, requiring additional monitoring and treatment. The removal of these metals often involves expensive processes, including chemical treatments and filtration, adding to operational costs.

Finally, the removal process generates sludge that requires proper disposal, leading to additional environmental and financial challenges. Overall, managing iron and manganese requires robust treatment systems, regular maintenance, and long-term planning to ensure safe, high-quality water.

How does Filtralite’s filter media differ from traditional filtration solutions in terms of composition, structure, and filtration efficiency?

Filtralite’s filter media differs significantly from traditional filtration solutions in terms of composition, structure, and filtration efficiency.

In terms of composition, Filtralite is made from a type of expanded clay, which is fired at high temperatures to create a highly porous material. This composition makes Filtralite lightweight, chemically stable, and highly resistant to degradation, unlike traditional filter media like sand, gravel, or activated carbon, which can become clogged or less effective over time.

The structure of Filtralite is unique due to its highly porous, irregularly shaped particles. This structure creates an extensive surface area for filtration, allowing for higher contact between the water and the filter media. The open structure also allows water to flow through more easily, reducing the risk of clogging compared to traditional media, which can have more uniform, compact grains that are prone to clogging and reducing flow rates.

In terms of filtration efficiency, Filtralite provides superior performance, particularly for fine filtration. Its high porosity and large surface area allow it to trap a wide range of particles, from larger debris to finer suspended solids, making it more efficient in removing contaminants compared to traditional media. Additionally, Filtralite's unique structure helps reduce backwashing requirements, improving operational efficiency and reducing water and energy consumption during maintenance cycles.

Overall, Filtralite’s innovative composition and structure enable it to outperform traditional filtration solutions by providing higher efficiency, better flow rates, and reduced maintenance needs, making it an effective choice for water treatment applications.

Could you share some specific case studies where Filtralite’s solution has significantly improved water quality and reduced operational challenges?

Filtralite has been successfully used in various water treatment applications, significantly improving water quality and reducing operational challenges.

In Spain, in Pedraza, a water facility struggling with iron and manganese removal used Filtralite, which helped eliminate iron and manganese while increasing the production capacity.

In Finland, in Jäniksenlinna   a waer treatment plant facing clogging and high maintenance with traditional sand filters switched to Filtralite. This resulted in reduced backwashing frequency, lower operational costs, and improved suspended solids removal.

These cases demonstrate how Filtralite enhances filtration efficiency, reduces maintenance, and lowers operational costs across various water treatment systems.

We will be happy to share with you more cases study, just contact us for it.

Could you explain the biological filtration process facilitated by Filtralite, and how it specifically enhances iron and manganese removal?

The biological filtration process facilitated by Filtralite enhances iron and manganese removal through the development of biofilms on its porous surface. The biofilm contains bacteria that oxidize dissolved iron (Fe²⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺). These oxidized metals then precipitate and are trapped in Filtralite’s pores.

Filtralite’s large surface area supports effective microbial growth, improving the efficiency of oxidation and filtration. The unique structure of Filtralite prevents clogging, maintains flow rates, and reduces the need for chemicals and frequent backwashing. This biological process provides a sustainable, efficient solution for removing iron and manganese from water.

On Wednesday, November 20th, Filtralite will be hosting a webinar: 'How Filtralite Can Enhance Your Biological Wastewater and Drinking Water Filtration Process.' Why is this online seminar important for the water sector?

The webinar on November 20th, hosted by Filtralite, is important for the water sector because it addresses the growing challenges of managing iron and manganese in wastewater treatment. These metals are common contaminants that can negatively affect water quality, cause discoloration, and increase operational costs. This free online seminar will showcase how Filtralite’s innovative biological filtration process can effectively remove iron and manganese, offering a more sustainable and cost-efficient solution compared to traditional methods.

By exploring the benefits of Filtralite’s filter media, such as improved filtration efficiency, reduced chemical usage, and minimized maintenance, the webinar will provide valuable insights for water treatment professionals. It will also highlight how Filtralite’s unique composition and structure contribute to better long-term performance and lower operational costs.

For those working in the water sector, this webinar offers an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technologies that can improve treatment processes, optimize resources, and enhance overall water quality management.