Active Ceramics - What it is, How it works

 

 

This document is primarily for those of you who wish to delve into the depths of how this relatively new media works. It is not necessary for end-users and man on the street to know all the scientific details as it is always a sure way to lose a sale by just confusing people. However – should any technical queries arise then this information will enable you to cover 90% of any possible question out there. Those that can’t be answered by this Technical sheet – please call us and we will do our best to provide you with an answer in laymans terms (a Glossary of Terms can be found at the end of this document – for anything else there’s Google).

 

1.1

These ‘active’ ceramics, used for the treatment of water and other liquids, are produced as spheres, having a layered structure around a central nucleus or ‘seed’ and a complex open structure, which can exchange ions (zeolite), through minute electrolytic cells, which become active when in contact with an electrolyte such as water.

 

1.2 Softening –

Active ceramics “soften” water in a relatively unconventional manner, and hardness tests are only effective if using the Dynes scale method. Testing by TDS (total dissolved solids) or PPM (parts per million) are ineffective as our filters DO NOT remove nutrients such as Ca and Mg, but rather hold the particles in suspension by lowering the surface tension of water. This holding of particles in suspension is what prevents limescale and rust particles from developing. Scale will be inhibited in kettles and on work surfaces.

1.3 Filtration and bacteria control –

Most bacteria have a short life expectancy and when deprived of nutrition or the wrong environmental conditions, quickly expire. A bacteriostatic product will prevent or inhibit both bacteria in the water, as well as growth of bacteria within the filter over time.

Disinfection can be performed by physical or chemical means, leading to sterilisation (killing off of any micro-organisms). Physical means include using heat, radiation (UV, FIR, infra-red) and ultra-sound. Chemical means involve chlorine, hydrogen peroxide etc.

When immersed in water, active ceramics display physical properties of semi conductivity, magnetic properties and light emission (in the far infra-red spectrum). The radiation emitted by the active ceramic spheres are sufficient to excite molecules in the water thereby stimulating the oxidisation process.

The oxidisation by the electrolysis of water is a potent disinfectant (redox reaction), with anaerobic bacteria (see glossary) – Legionella and E.Coli - being the most sensitive to attack and therefore most quickly controlled/ eliminated. Bacteria are attracted by the chemical activity and rough surface of the active ceramics where they attach themselves to the surface. Whilst there, the electrolytic process destroys the DNA and/or membrane around the cell and so prevents the ability to thrive or reproduce.

Over the surface of the ceramic minute cells are formed, comprising pairs of cathodes and anodes, where water is electrolysed, splitting into its component hydrogen and oxygen albeit in a complex manner.

While the hydrogen readily escapes, the oxygen so produced provides a powerful oxidising reagent capable of inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms and, indeed, killing them.

The significant advantage of Active Ceramics over other products currently available for prevention of the infestation of bacteria is that the electrolytic process (Bactericidal action) begins immediately upon immersion……. and is continuous and consistent thereafter, whatever the operating conditions.

 

Redox reaction

Active ceramics contain a mixture of different metals such as platinum, silver and copper. When the ceramic spheres rub together the dissimilar metals create a redox reaction thereby inhibiting the growth of bacterias. Where KDF uses copper and zinc to create this redox reaction, the active ceramics contain metals further apart on the periodic table – and hence create a far stronger redox reaction.

The strong electrolytic action created by the active ceramics also enables the media to be that much more effective in removing heavy metal minerals. A stronger magnetic reaction enables finer metal particles –which may escape through other filters using KDF – to be contained within the filter.

1.4 Far Infra-red Ray

FIR rays are part of the sunlight spectrum which are invisible to the naked eye – also known as Biogenetic rays. These rays have been proven by scientists to promote the growth and health of living cells in plants, animals and humans.

FIR rays cause resonance with water molecules, which in turn ionizes and activates water molecules in our cells and blood thereby improving blood circulation and health conditions. Apart from the health benefits of FIR rays, they are also used globally to do the following:

• Softening of hard water and purification of water

• Eliminating bad odours – water and air

• Pain relief

• Improve perspiration systems

• Promote better sleep

• Purification of air

• Beauty care

• Speed up repair of body cells

• Balance acidity levels in the body

• Normalise blood cholesterol

• Prevent growth of moulds

• Better plant growth

The important thing to remember with FIR is that it has observable effects unlike many other processes which use “subtle energy”. The effects are dramatic from the evaporation of water to rapid cooking of foods, processing of wine, drying of paint and termination of diabetes in several Malaysian hospitals.

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Dynes scale –

Dyne per centimetre is traditionally used to measure surface tension. The surface tension of water dictates its “wettability” measured in dynes per centimetre. Pure water has a surface tension of 72 dynes/cm. Ultimately by reducing the “wetness” of the water by way of active ceramics, this will reduce the surface tension of the water enabling it to absorb scale which is already present in pipework.

Surface tension of water is akin to viscosity of oil, in that the lower the surface tension, the lower the viscosity of the water due to particles being pulled further apart (stretched).

As the particles of Ca and Mg are held in suspension, they are unable to bind to cause scale. Therefore the natural minerals – which are healthy for the human body – remain in the water as permanent hardness, but will not affect machinery, appliances, work surfaces and taps in any way.

 

Water hardness –

Water softening uses ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from the water, therefore reducing the potential for them to bind together and cause scale. The ion exchange can be done with small doses of hydrochloric acid (WAC – weak acid cation exchange) or salt/ sodium (SAC – strong acid cation exchange).

Permanent hardness vs. Temporary hardness

Temporary hardness is what is found in one’s kettle, machinery, taps and work surfaces in the UK. It is calcium deposits which form when water is heated. Calcium and Magnesium minerals bind to form calcium or magnesium carbonate (CaCO3 or . MgCO3). When water is boiled, this mineral is removed from the water.

Permanent hardness is not possible to extract from water by boiling. Only chemicals can be used to remove the minerals such as ion exchange, or reduce the surface tension of water to prolong the binding process.

 

Bacteria types –

Anaerobic bacteria do not require oxygen for growth, and therefore are found to thrive in water. The presence of oxygen (by way of oxidation when talking about a redox reaction) in the water will prevent further growth of bacteria as well as kill off the majority of bacteria which exists. E.Coli and Legionella are examples of anaerobic bacteria.

Aerobic bacteria is an organism/ bacteria which can survive in an oxygenated environment and is often seen as bright green algae on river rocks, on the rock behind a waterfall, in water fountains etc. Generally these are seen to be healthy bacteria but are not found in municipal water.

 

Electrolysis –

Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) gas by way of ion exchange between an anode and a cathode. Usually electrodes (metal probes) are used to show how electrolysis takes place. Active ceramics contain tiny particles of dissimilar metals and therefore these ceramic spheres act as the electrodes needed for electrolysis to take place. Essentially an electrical voltage occurs between the molecules and the active ceramic spheres.

While the hydrogen readily escapes, the oxygen produced provides a powerful oxidising reagent capable of inhibiting growth of bacteria and killing them. Electrolysis will also affect other molecules within the water including Calcium, Magnesium, metals etc. The higher the impurities in the water, the higher the electrical conductivity of the water.

Electrolysis is the overall effect under which the following activities occur:

• Electrolytic action

• Oxidation

• Redox reaction

• Reduction in surface tension of water

Electrolytic action means that metals in contact – especially dissimilar metals – tend to trade electrons which causes a corrosion/ magnetism whereby particles become stuck to each other. This is how heavy metals are then removed from the water as theses metal minerals are attracted and magnetised to the active ceramic spheres.

Redox reaction is essentially 2 processes: oxidation – where electrons are lost, and reduction – where electrons are gained. These 2 processes happen simultaneously. It explains all chemical reactions in which atoms have their oxidation state changed. Electrons are transferred between molecules creating new elements eg. chlorine is changed into benign, water-soluble chloride. Chlorine is used extensively in dosing municipal water to kill any bacteria which may exist, but is also a dangerous chemical to ingest, and far worse a chemical to absorb via the skin.

 

Legionella –

Legionella Pneumophilia is a gram-negative bacterium that’s distributed in natural and manmade freshwater habitats. They are small, rod-shaped cells 1-2 microns in length and 0.5 micron wide. They will initiate growth on artificial media only over a narrow pH range of 6.8 – 7.0, but can tolerate a pH range from 5.5 – 9.0 in natural habitats.

Legionella is thought to be contracted by inhalation of water droplets in which the organism is aerolised. Aspiration is another method of contracting the disease – the bacteria enters the lungs by way of secretions entering the lungs on choking, rather than going into the stomach as per normal. The Legionella organism is one of the top 3 causes of sporadic, community-acquired pneumonia.

The majority of outbreaks are associated with buildings such as hotels, factories, hospitals, nursing homes and office blocks. Due to the fact that Legionella is so difficult to distinguish from other forms of pneumonia, many cases go unreported. In recent years only 200 – 300 cases of Legionella have been reported annually in England and Wales. However – whilst approximately only 1000 cases are reported annually to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention), it’s estimated that 25,000 cases of the illness actually occur each year resulting in up to 4000 deaths in England and Wales.

Legionella is treated by high dosing of chlorine and other chemicals on an annual basis. Further preventative measures can be taken by facilities management in using these products to reduce the chances of bacteria growth - shower head filters, whole house/ building systems, and hard water treatment unit. These units will kill the bacteria in a number of ways:

• A stronger redox reaction caused by the active ceramics will ensure that the electrolytic reaction and oxidi­sation do not allow growth of the bacteria, as well as killing it off on contact with the filter.

• Eliminating scale and the build up thereof does not give the Legionella bug anywhere to hide behind when dosing takes place. Chlorine can not get behind any built up limescale which can often leave pockets of Legionella still active.

 

 

Our range of filters using Active Ceramics Can be Found Here