Iron Breaker III vs KDF 85 for Iron removal

[Hokie21]

We are on a well and live in an area that has iron in the groundwater. 10 years ago we had a KDF 85 media insert installed in our Autotroll 255 water softener. This completely removed any H2S smell from the water, but we did still have some minor iron staining over time and problems with whites in the laundry. Overall, however we were very happy with our KDF 85 solution.

Recently the water has developed an H2S smell that we want to get rid of. We assume the KDF is no longer working as it was.

Our water professional has changed to the Iron Breaker III for new installations, but will still replace our KDF 85 media if we prefer. The cost delta between the two solutions isn't an issue for us. Our water guy says that the Iron Breaker works in situations where KDF didn't always do the job. Iron breaker is more equipment to break down and more expense, but will it really do a better job than the KDF?

 

[Bannerman]

It's hard to be critical of an iron and H2S solution that had performed satisfactorily for 10 years. While you mention of continuing to experience some iron issues, that was likely due to the flow demand exceeding the media insert's effective service flow rating.

KDF media is very heavy and so requires a high flow rate to backwash effectively. The media insert contains a small amount so that the softener's modest backwash rate will be suitable also for the KDF. Since there is a small amount of KDF media, its effectiveness maybe easily exceeded.

You didn't mention any test results so it would be impossible to know if your iron or other water conditions have changed over time. To recommend an effective treatment method, would require an accurate water test to determine any contaminate and mineral levels. As your water source is your own private well, you are responsible for the safety and treatment of your water supply. There is no municipality or water company that does that for you. Your water should be tested by a lab on a periodic but regular basis.

While your chosen water treatment provider has found the Iron Breaker III as effective, it appears that device utilizes BIRM as the media. BIRM is an older iron reduction media which has been found to be not so effective with H2S. A newer media which has become popular is Katalox Lite. KL is lighter in weight so less water is required to backwash it. It also has a relatively high capacity for iron, has a high service flow rate and is effective for H2S.

Before deciding, obtain a water analysis to determine your current water conditions and to ensure no bacterial, metal or chemical contamination concerns.

Check out National Testing Labs
http://www.ntllabs.com/Merchant2/me...NTL&Product_Code=9003&Category_Code=Homeowner

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Hokie21]

Bannerman -- Thank you for your thoughtful response.

We had our water tested by the state water survey lab at the University of Illinois in 2006 and 2011. I've linked to the results of the tests below. Note that they provided results for both the treated and untreated water. http://bluewave.homeip.net/water_results.pdf. We will have them do another test after we complete whatever changes we end up making to our system.

It is interesting that in their comments in 2006, the lab said that they thought that the softener alone should remove the low level of iron that we have and the KDF should not be required. That was not our experience. We noticed a big difference after adding the KDF to the system.

I'll ask my water guy about Katalox light.

Based on our test results would you expect we would see a dramatic difference in our water quality (Iron and H2S removal) between Katalox/Ironbreaker vs the KDF solution? If you wouldn't expect a big difference in results, I will probably stay with the simpler and less expensive KDF solution.

 

[Bannerman]

While the University lab offers additional test results in 2011 over those in 2006, it continues to not be as comprehensive as other water testing labs as there is no bacterial testing indicated. While the total results are indicated for the test they do perform, there is no indication to highlight when levels exceed guidelines and when action is required.

As you seem to imply the 2006 results do not include the KDF media insert, comparing the pre and post treatment results line by line, clearly show where the softener was effective. Your iron, initially was 0.909 ppm (same as mg/L) but was reduced to 0.031 ppm, clearly indicating the effectiveness of the softener. Iron often creates issues when at 0.3 ppm and above.

While a softener can effectively reduce the iron level, it is not the most efficient method of doing so, compared to dedicated iron reduction methods. Additional salt is required for each regeneration cycle and regeneration needs to be more frequent. Iron can eventually foul the resin so resin cleaning needs to be performed on a regular basis using chemical acid cleaners such as Iron-Out or similar. A softener is also ineffective for H2S issues.

Your KDF-85 media insert is positioned so that water entering the softener, flows through the insert so that the iron is reduced so the resin isn't exposed to as much iron. As previously stated, it is difficult to fault the KDF method when you found that to be effective for almost 10 years.

Here is a link to a PDF download of KDF media info:
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjn_ruy3onKAhVClR4KHfRoCDoQFgghMAE&url=http://www.kdfft.com/pdfs/KDFProcessMedia.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFKpicU0HMjWy3PUPlEm284i25pLg&sig2=twvHxi_cb8bLor92WRy1Bg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo

Your treatment supplier may not have experience with Katalox L so he may try to steer you towards only those methods he has experience with.

KL would be installed in a larger quantity, similar in size as a water softener. A larger volume of media would permit a higher flow rate before iron would break through. It is also effective at removing many other elements including H2S and is also effective as a fine particle filter.

For more information, here is a link to the KL manufacturer's web page: http://www.watchwater.com/katalox_light/katalox_light.php

Edited to add: Do your H2S issues pertain to only your hot water or to both hot and cold? If hot only, the issue is likely a reaction with the water heater tank anode rod. Replacing the anode with one of a different material will usually resolve that issue.

 

[montelatici]

Bannerman is being polite. Katalox is the best media today for iron removal, if your local guy doesn't recommend it go to someone else.

 

[Hokie21]

The H2S issue applies to both hot and cold water. Thanks for your replies and advice.

 

[ditttohead]

While Birm was an exciting and innovative media decades ago, it has become less popular over the past few years due to the introduction of Katalox Light and other similar medias. Birm is very easy to backwash and fairly inexpensive compared to Katalox Light. KL on the other hand has so much more manganese dioxide content, the important ingredient in iron reduction medias that it can also handle h2s, and much higher levels of iron, manganese, etc. We rarely sell Birm anymore except for those legacy systems that still specify it in their equipment. For the most part we use KL.
As to the KDF85 vs iron breaker... both work very well. The complaints of airy water from air injection systems is common, but this is not that big of a deal once you get used to it. If they are still using Birm, I would avoid it.

http://www.ntllabs.com/Merchant2/me...NTL&Product_Code=9003&Category_Code=Homeowner

 

[Hokie21]

We got the new KDF85 media guard installed on Saturday. It took our water guy an hour and 15 minutes to do it, but he ran into some minor leaking when he put everything back together, which he resolved. I am glad I had a professional do the job.

We haven't smelled H2S since. We'll do a retest of our water now. Thanks to the forum members for your help and advice.

 

[ditttohead]

KDF85 works fairly well with h2s, and the media guard has a very limited amount of it so it will not last very long typically... that being said, if you get more than 3 years out of it, then you did well! Congrats on a successful resolution to a potentially difficult water quality issue!