Ceramic water filter

A Victorian ceramic water filter

Ceramic water filters (CWF) are an inexpensive and effective type of water filter that rely on the small pore size of ceramic material to filter dirt, debris, and bacteria out of water. They can be made using standard pottery techniques with basic inputs of clay and charcoal or other biomass.

Method of action

Similar to other methods of filtering water, the filter removes particles larger than the size of the pores in the filter material.

Typically bacteria, protozoa, and microbial cysts are removed. However, filters are typically not effective against viruses since they are small enough to pass through to the "clean" side of the filter. Ceramic water filters (CWF) may be treated with silver, usually as colloidal silver. The silver helps to kill or incapacitate bacteria and prevent the growth of mold and algae in the body of the filter.

Ceramic filtration does not remove chemical contaminants, per se. However, some manufacturers (especially of ceramic candle filters) incorporate a high-performance activated charcoal core inside the ceramic filter cartridge that reduces organic and metallic contaminants. The activated charcoal absorbs compounds such as chlorine. Filters with active carbon need to be replaced periodically because the carbon becomes clogged with foreign material.

The two most common types of ceramic water filter are pot-type and candle-type filters. Ceramic filter systems consist of a porous ceramic filter that is attached to, or sits on top of a plastic or ceramic receptacle. Contaminated water is poured into a top container. It passes through the filter(s) into the receptacle below. The lower receptacle usually is fitted with a tap.

Contaminants larger than the minute holes of the ceramic structure will remain in the top half of the unit. The filter(s) can be cleaned by brushing them with a soft brush and rinsing them with clean water. Hot water and soap can also be used.

The major risks to the success of all forms of ceramic filtration are hairline cracks and cross-contamination. If the unit is dropped or otherwise abused, the brittle nature of ceramic materials can allow fine, barely-visible cracks, allowing larger contaminants through the filter.

Crafting Instructions

Manufacturing Flowchart

Dependencies

• Ceramic
• Clay
  • Ceramic water filter
  • Water filter
    • Water

See also

• Ceramic glaze
• Evaporative cooling
• Pot-in-pot refrigerator

References

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This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Ceramic_water_filter, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (view authors).