Filtration speed
The filtration rate provided by the cartridge, in other words, its maximum performance (throughput).
This indicator is directly related to the regular use of the cartridge (see above). It is also worth considering here that usually the finer the cleaning, the lower the performance of the filter element. Therefore, for example, flow pre-filter systems at the entrance to an apartment can be performant enough not to slow down the flow, but getting drinking water is inevitably associated with a slowdown in the process. This is especially true for reverse osmosis systems. Filter jugs also do not differ in performance, because they work without pressure. In addition, we note that when installing several filters in series (in a flow system), the final filtration speed will be limited by the speed of the slowest filter.
In general, when choosing a cartridge for a jug, a filter
for a tap or a travel filter, you can not pay much attention to this parameter — performance is usually guaranteed to be enough to work for its intended purpose. Detailed recommendations for other types of filters can be found in special sources.
Resource
The resource of a cartridge is the amount of water that it can effectively pass through itself and clean without loss of working qualities. For reusable models (see below), the resource between cleanings/regenerations is usually indicated.
This parameter allows you to estimate
how long the cartridge will last and how often it will need to be changed or cleaned. There are formulas that allow you to calculate the approximate water consumption depending on the number of people in the family and other factors; these formulas can be found in special sources. However, manufacturers themselves often make approximate calculations and indicate the frequency of replacement in the documents for a filter or cartridge: for example, “when used in a family of 3 people, change every month”. In fact, it is more convenient to use these recommendations.
Filtration and purification
Types of filtration provided by the cartridge. This parameter takes into account both the types of pollution that the product is able to cope with, and some features of its operation.
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Mechanical(impurities, sand). Purification from mechanical impurities — insoluble particles larger than a certain size (see "Pollution clipping"). The simplest cleaning method that can be achieved with relatively simple and inexpensive filter elements.
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Carbon(active chlorine, smell, taste). Purification through the use of
activated carbon or other similar sorbent. Such a sorbent absorbs foreign substances dissolved in water, providing cleaning at the chemical level.
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Colloidal iron (rust). Purification of colloidal iron — particles suspended in water, which consist of insoluble iron compounds and give the water a characteristic "rusty" shade with a corresponding taste and smell. Some of this iron can be removed from the water by mechanical filtration, but additional chemical cleaning methods can be provided to increase efficiency. Therefore, this type of filtering is rendered separately.
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Hardness salts (limescale)). Removal of calcium and magnesium salts, which make water hard and lead to the formation of scale on heating elements (in particular, heating elements of washing
...machines and dishwashers). Also note that excessive water hardness reduces the effectiveness of detergents. To remove hardness salts, different methods can be used, depending on the composition of the cartridge (see the relevant paragraph). So, ion-exchange resins take calcium and magnesium ions from water, replacing them with sodium ions; polyphosphate crystals form soluble compounds with hardness salts that do not limescale; and osmotic membranes (see "Application") filter out salts at the molecular level.
— Heavy metal ions. Removal from water of ions of various heavy metals that are harmful to humans — mercury, cadmium, plumbum, etc. Such purification can be carried out both chemically (reagent) and osmotically (see "Application").
— UV cleaning (bacteria). Purification of water from pathogenic bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, carried out by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Such radiation is detrimental to microorganisms, while it does not affect the chemical properties of water and does not affect its quality.
— Mineralization. Saturation of filtered water with minerals useful for the human body. This function is often provided in reverse osmosis systems (see "Application"): osmotic purification removes not only harmful, but also useful impurities from the water, as a result, the water turns out to be "dead", which does not carry any benefit (and it may even taste unpleasant). Mineralization allows you to compensate for this moment.
— Improving taste. This item includes cartridges installed after post-filters in reverse osmosis systems. These can be carbon, bio-ceramic and other similar filter elements designed to saturate the taste of already purified water. Advanced implementations of such cartridges make it possible to obtain water that is as close as possible to natural water in its structure and taste.
— Nitrates. Purification of water from nitrates — salts of nitric acid. Nitrates are widely used as fertilizers; most of them are processed by plants into harmless compounds, but unused residues can enter the water, and such substances are harmful to the human body. Purification can be carried out both by reverse osmosis (see "Purpose"), and chemically — due to substances that connect nitrates and do not allow them to pass the filter.
— Pesticides. Pesticides are toxic chemicals used to combat harmful flora and fauna — weeds, insects, rodents, etc. Most of these compounds are also harmful to humans. Removal of pesticides can be provided by adsorption (absorbing) filters or reverse osmosis systems (see "Application").
— Petroleum products. Oil and various substances obtained from it (gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, fuel oil, etc.). Poisonous when taken orally. Oil products do not dissolve in water, but may be present as a suspension or film on the surface. They are removed mainly by adsorption or reverse osmosis (see "Application").
