26
PF
-
2: CHARCOAL FILTERS
The charcoal filter element (FT
-
FTC
-
CC) removes chlorine from the fresh water flush water
supply. The RO membrane can only handle small amounts of chlorine without permanent
damage. If the fresh water flush water contains chlorine, the membrane will be exposed to it
for days and will produce high salinity water.
The charcoal filter we supply removes 99.7% of the chlorine. Beware when buying other char-
coal filters. If they don
’
t specify the percentage of chlorine removed, don
’
t use them. Cheap
ones may remove only 60% or 70%. Also, there are aftermarket filters which are very close to,
but not exactly, the same dimensions that will not seal properly in the housing. If you skimp
on the charcoal filter you risk damaging a $600.00 membrane on the first flush. The other fac-
tor is the flow rate that the filter can handle. Because the chlorine is adsorbed by the char-
coal, it must remain in contact with the charcoal for a sufficient period of time for the all of
the chlorine molecules to be captured. The filters we use can handle 1.5 gallons (6 liters) per
minute flow, and are good for 3000 gallons (12,000 liters) at 1.5 GPM, or six months, whichev-
er comes first. Regardless of the flow the charcoal loses its effectiveness after six months.
