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Filtration Terminology.

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Solid Waste Capture/Separation - Mechanical Filtration

Solid Waste Capture/Separation, or mechanical filtration, is the separation of solid waste from water using a filter medium to capture and hold waste until it can be removed from the filter. Many styles of mechanical filters are available, including both gravity and pressure designs. It is key that your style of mechanical filter is adequate in both performance and maintenance when used in a heavy solids application, such as aquaculture, mammal bathing pools, or resale fish systems.


Gravity Filter Bags

Gravity Filter Bags are attached to gravity-flow plumbing, very effective at trapping solid waste and holding it until the bags are removed and cleaned. Gravity Filter Bags are extremely cost efficient for the benefits they deliver.

Pressure Filter Bag Canister

Consider a Pressure Bag Filter Canister when backwashing is not an option. Pressure Bag Filter Canisters are commonly used as a post-mechanical filter, polishing the water before it travels back to the tank. We recommend using a flow rate no greater than 70 gpm per canister containing a 100 micron filter bag insert. A lower flow rate may be required for lower micron porosities.

Commercial Sand/Media Filter

The Commercial Sand/Media Filter is designed for heavy solid waste filtering. Sand/Media filters when coupled with UV Sterilizers offer effective solid waste filtering while solving waterborne algae problems. Dual Lateral Sand /Media Filters offer an exclusive “dual lateral design.” This dual lateral design increases filtering and back-washing efficiency. During the backwash cycle, the dual lateral system promotes better fluidization creating a better cleaning of the filter bed.

Drum Micro-Screen Filters

Micro-Screen Filters use a specific micron-sized filter screen to trap solid waste as water passes through it. Although a variety of micron porosities are available, these filters commonly operate with a filter screen of 60 microns. Solid waste laden water enters the filter from the inside of the drum. The screen then traps the waste as water flows through. As solids accumulate on the screen, the water level inside the drum rises and triggers the sump's float valve. This initiates screen cleaning and waste effluent discharge. Micro-Screen Filters are very efficient and require little routine maintenance.

Gravity Filter Bags & Pressure Filter Bag Canister.



HRV Sand Filter.



Drum Micro-Screen Filter

Biological Filtration

Biological Filtration is a natural process. Colonizing beneficial aerobic bacteria (oxygen consuming nitrifying bacteria) transform harmful toxins (ammonia/nitrite) into less harmful elements (nitrate) through the process of nitrification. The biological filtering process within an aquatic environment is not restricted to the biological filter itself. Rather, nitrifying bacteria colonize on many surfaces inside the pond/tank, such as the substrate, walls of the pool, and plumbing. The waste load and water temperature within the system largely determines the time it takes to complete the nitrification cycle. However, it usually takes about six weeks to complete.


Fluidized Bed Biological Filter

Fluidized Bed Biological Filters are perhaps the most efficient biological filters available considering the incredible amount of surface area they offer. Garnet or silica sand is usually the media of choice for this filter, with media size ranging from .45mm to 2 mm. The finer the sand, the slower the water flow through the filter bed. Fluidized Bed Biological Filters are up-flow filters, the water enters the filter bed from the bottom and circulates evenly up through it. Our "U Shape" design keeps the media bed from packing down during filter shutdown, a common problem associated with many brands of these filters.

Bubble Bead Filter

The Bubble Bead Filter is the floating bead filter developed by our long-time customer Louisiana State University. This unique filter is also an up-flow filter and uses floating plastic beads as its filter media. While solids laden water flows up through the media bed, larger solids settle to the bottom of the filter vessel. After a short time of operation, the bead walls accumulate a sticky flocculent that finer solids will adhere to during filtering. The filter media bed is backwashed using strong bursts of air. The air travels into the filter vessel, up through the bead media bed, knocking off solids that settle to the bottom of the filter. During this process, settled-out waste effluent is discharged from the filter.

Fluidized Bed Biological Filter.



Bubble Bead Filter.

Protein Skimming

Protein Skimming, or Foam Fractionation separates dissolved wastes from water using tiny air bubbles that accumulate fats, phenols, and very small particles onto their bubble walls. The protein skimming process mixes air with water using an air stone or venturi air injector to create super-fine air bubbles. This water/air mixture is sent to a vertical reaction chamber and once inside, the tiny air bubbles travel up, accumulating dissolved organic contaminates on their bubble walls. When the tiny bubbles reach the top of the vessel, they form dense foam. They then separate from the water inside the vessel and slowly climb into the vessel's foam collimating tube. Inside the foam collimating tube, the dry foam continues to climb until it reaches the top of the tube and spills over into the waste collector. The benefits of protein skimming are unique unto themselves. Protein Skimming clarifies the system's water while increasing valuable dissolved oxygen.


AquaFoam Protein Skimmers &
Flo-Thru Protein Skimmers

AquaFoam and Flo-Thru Protein Skimmers feature our dual venturi injector manifold that includes a dual venturi injector arrangement. Each has input valves that allow precise air, oxygen, or ozone injection adjustments. AquaFoam models are made of heavy-wall opaque plastic, which blocks light from entering the reaction chamber. This helps to control unwanted algae growth. AquaFoam models require an operating pump to supply water to the unit while it services the venturi manifold.

The larger capacity Flo-Thru models require a flow through water source. These models come with a dedicated venturi manifold pump. All models have an easy-to-service foam collimation/waste collector top which features wash-down nozzles. All models can be easily disassembled for routine cleaning.

AquaFoam Protein Skimmer.

Ultraviolet Sterilization

Using UV Sterilization for destroying waterborne pathogens requires matching the equipment’s performance capacity to the correct UV exposure required to completely irradiate the targeted waterborne microorganism. Among the four types of UV light, UV-C radiation is used for its germicidal value (disinfection) and most effective at a wavelength of 264 nanometers (nm). This very specific light wavelength (264nm) is very nearly generated by the UV lamp that is housed inside of a chamber that controls the flow-path of the targeted microorganism, maintaining an effective UV exposure. The flow rate is the final UV performance factor and it distinguishes the amount of time the targeted microorganism is directly exposed to the UV-C radiation; inside the exposure chamber (UV exposure).

UV radiation does not leave a residual in the water and therefore is harmless to animals, fish and plants. Optimal use of UV requires three important considerations. First, identify the targeted microorganism. Second, consider the condition (UV transmissibility) of the water to be treated. Lastly, receive accurate performance recommendations from the manufacturer and follow them closely.


Emperor Aquatics, Inc. SMART UV and Multi-Lamp UV Sterilizer models

Emperor Aquatics, Inc. is recognized around the world for delivering unmatched UV information. We believe that in order to accomplish successful UV disinfection, accurate performance information must be shared with the consumer. Each UV Sterilizer model that we manufacture utilizes the highest quality UV lamps and is designed for optimal UV-C output. Our UV housings use the UV lamp/s’ UV-C output to its maximum potential. Emperor Aquatics, Inc. offers a wide variety of UV models suited for a diverse list of applications.

SMART HO UV Sterilizer.

Ozone

Ozone is a powerful oxidizer, but it is also an unstable gas. Ozone is created by drawing dry air, or more optimally, pure oxygen, through a steel chamber containing a glass dielectric cathode. The air/oxygen is electrified by an electrical spark. During this process, the oxygen molecule is split into three parts and ozone gas is created. When applied to water, ozone gas searches out organic contaminates to oxidize. However ozone must be soluble before it can react with waterborne contaminant's. Ozone solubility is generally accomplished through bubbling the ozone gas up through a column of water or through the use of a venturi injector. The performance of ozone is affected by water temperature and organic load. These must be considered when using ozone in your system.


Del Ozone Generators

Anyone who is familiar with ozone is aware of the fact that a Corona Discharge Ozone Generator will produce a greater concentration of ozone and operate more reliably when oxygen is supplied as a feed gas opposed to air. Del Ozone’s unique “Integrated Oxygen Concentrator” is a perfect example of their commitment to producing the lowest cost, highest quality ozone products specifically to their integrated oxygen concentrator feature.


Del Ozone Generators.

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Protein Skimmers | Ozone Generators | Atomizer Ozone Contactor
Hydrafin Filter System | Hydrascape Filter System
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UV Sterilizer and Filter Products for Koi Ponds & Water Gardens:
Pond UV Sterilizers and Filters. EmperorAquatics-Pond.com

UV Sterilizer and Filter Products for Fresh & Saltwater Aquariums:
Aquarium UV Sterilizers and Filters. EmperorAquatics-Aquarium.com

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