Vacuum Media Filtration
Vacuum Media Filtration (VMF) is our companies specialist filtration area. It is the technology that we believe suits most commercial filtration applications.
Vacuum media filtration cost efficiencies and reliability are what sets VMF filtration system apart from alternative filtration options.
Vacuum media Filtration
Vacuum Media Filtration, or Vacuum DE as it is called in some circles, has a long history of successful/economic operation in many swimming pools around both New Zealand and in other countries.
The first Vacuum Media Filtration system to be installed in New Zealand was in Christchurch for the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
How Vacuum Media Filtration works
Vacuum media filters are based on the principle of elements that are contained within an open tank constructed from either concrete or more recently fiberglass. The elements are constructed from ABS and are enclosed in a bag constructed from polyethylene fabric. This fabric supports the media through which the water passes. When one of these filters is started up or after one is back washed, a "precoat" of media is added to create a layer approximately 1.5mm thick on the fabric. After this, a dosing pump adds a small "body feed" amount of the media continuously until the filter requires backwashing. The addition of the body feed stops the top layer of media from becoming clogged with filtered dirt and thus lengthens the filter cycle, keeping the operation as economic as possible. Through our experiences of operating these filters, we would expect filter cycles of at least 6 to 8 weeks between backwashes.
Backwashing involves shutting down the pumps, hosing down the elements, and then starting up the system again before adding the precoat. Typically backwashing takes about 2 to 2½ hours depending on the filter size.
One of the big benefits of a vacuum media system is that the open tank allows you to view the elements and directly see the point of filtration. This allows you to gauge the condition and performance of the filter at a glance.
This is particularly helpful during busy periods such as school holidays when increased loading places more stress on filtration systems.
Why Purifibre
Traditionally Diatomaceous Earth (DE), an economic filter media, has been used in both pressure and vacuum media filters for many years without understanding DE chemical composition. Awareness of the adverse chemicals in DE, Coombes Aquatics began the search for a safer, less expensive filter media alternative and ended up developing Purifibre.
Purifibre is a food-grade cellulose-based filter media. This sustainable filter media is non- carcinogenic, biodegradable, and proven in the NZ pool environs to filter out Cryptosporidium Cysts.
Purifibre is more expensive than DE on a per weight basis, however, because of the integrity of the filter material less, Purifibre media is required than traditional DE resulting in a saving of up to 25% on the media filter material.
DE is no longer the preferred filter material of choice and is a registered banned substance in many US states today. However, there is no equivalent legislation governing the use of DE in NZ pool filtration systems at present.
For me information please see the below downloadable brochure for Purifibre
Aquaboss Vacuum Media Filters
Aquaboss is manufactured and installed by Coombes Aquatics specialist water services technicians to ensure effective and efficient swimming pool filtration. Aqua Boss filters are the latest in swimming pool filtration technology. The ability to provide sparkling water on an 8-16 week filter cycle, allows the conservation of millions of liters of water per year. Aqua Boss Vacuum media filters are setting the new benchmark for water conservation in swimming pool filtration.
How they work
Aquaboss filters use the Vacuum Media Filtration Principal. They operate by drawing the water through an open tank full of filter elements. Each filter element has a filter area of more than 1m² and is coated in a non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, cellulose media called Purifibre.
Purifibre filters the pool water removing particles of 2 -3 microns
Long filter cycles are made possible by our patented hopper technology. The hopper continuously adds a measured amount of Purifibre to the filter every day, refreshing the media and extending the filter cycles.
When the end of a filter cycle is reached the pumps are simply switched and the filter is drained directly into the sewer. Each filter element is easily hosed off with our washer wand that connects to mains pressure water and the fibre is washed down the drain.
The results of longer filter cycles in a significant saving in water, chemical, and labour costs per year.
Aquaboss Vacuum Filtration system allows
