Question 1

What are the disadvantages of reverse osmosis and why is it still the preferred choice in the water purification market?

Accepted Answer

Contents1. Is it true that reverse osmosis produces unhealthy water?2. Why does the World Health Organization not recommend drinking it?3. Does Reverse Osmosis Produce a Large Amount of Wastewater, Making it Unenvironmental?4. Besides Reverse Osmosis, What Other Water Purification Technologies Can Meet Drinking Water Standards?5. Should I purchase a Reverse Osmosis water purifier?Reverse osmosis&nbsp;is a widely used and well-established water purification technology that filters impurities from water, including pathogens, heavy metals, and chemicals, to meet high standards of drinking water. However, RO reverse osmosis also has its drawbacks and advantages, and we will delve into these frequently mentioned disadvantages of reverse osmosis.&nbsp;1. Is it true that reverse osmosis produces unhealthy water?RO reverse osmosis filters can remove microorganisms, chemicals, and other impurities from water, but they also eliminate some beneficial minerals and trace elements. Since RO reverse osmosis removes minerals and trace elements from water, consuming water treated with RO reverse osmosis alone may result in a deficiency of essential nutrients. Therefore, some experts suggest mixing RO reverse osmosis water with water rich in minerals and trace elements.But is this really the case? In fact, the minerals and trace elements that are filtered out can be obtained from food. Compared to the past when food scarcity was a concern, people today generally have a decent standard of living, and cases of malnutrition are rare. In other words, nutrient excess is actually a more common&nbsp;issue among modern individuals. The minerals and trace elements removed by RO reverse osmosis water filters mainly include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, fluoride, copper, zinc, manganese, etc., which have been proven to be sufficiently obtained through daily dietary intake.We can see from this chart that these foods actually provide a complete range of nutrients.Image source: Jinsheng Chronic Hospital and Nursing Home - Tainan, Yongkanghttp://www.jshospital.com.tw/get-nutrients-for-elders/Here's a more apparent example: According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration's Food and Nutrient Database, every 100 grams of cabbage contains the following nutrients:Sodium: 11 milligrams, Potassium: 187 milligrams, Calcium: 47 milligrams, Magnesium: 12 milligrams, Iron: 0.4 milligrams. On the other hand, 100 grams of mineral water only contains 0.02 milligrams of iron, magnesium, and zinc!&nbsp;2. Why does the World Health Organization not recommend drinking it?Many experts (or non-RO manufacturers) use this report as evidence to demonstrate that "the World Health Organization does not recommend promoting RO reverse osmosis as a daily drinking water source."Interested individuals can download the full report in PDF format from the following website: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43403/9241593989_eng.pdf?sequence=1&amp;isAllowed=yIf we carefully read through this report, we will find two misunderstood aspects:&nbsp;1.This is a report from the World Health Organization.Therefore, its purpose is to reduce diseases caused by improper drinking water worldwide. Please note the keyword "world," especially in underdeveloped countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, where people generally lack access to sufficient and balanced food to sustain essential nutrition. In these countries, if reverse osmosis (RO) technology is widely adopted, it could potentially lead to the occurrence of certain diseases. That is why this report also presents alternative water treatment technologies, such as desalination and distillation, which, compared to reverse osmosis, not only retain minerals but also offer the advantage of reducing energy consumption. Therefore, for these underdeveloped countries, drinking reverse osmosis water is considered a more luxurious and less healthy approach.But in Taiwan, where most people have a well-balanced diet, we don't need to worry about diseases caused by the lack of minerals and trace elements.&nbsp;2.The research period of this report is from 1957 to 2004.In simple terms, it is somewhat outdated and does not fully align with the lifestyle of modern people. Just think, do we still have beriberi in Taiwan now?Since the temporal and spatial context is different, the value of this report as a reference for the current situation in Taiwan is far greater than its practical significance.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Chinese explanation of the aforementioned report is as follows:"In general, drinking water is not the main source of daily intake for essential trace nutrients but rather serves as a supplement. The nutrient content in drinking water varies due to geographical and geological differences. Therefore, a balanced diet is the primary source of these nutrients. For example, vitamin D can be obtained from milk, vitamin C from beverages, iron, vitamin B, folate, and fluoride from bread, and so on."Yes, you read it correctly. This explanation is clearly stated in the report on drinking water and is not an interpretation that only focuses on the notion that "RO (reverse osmosis) water is unhealthy."&nbsp;3. Does Reverse Osmosis Produce a Large Amount of Wastewater, Making it Unenvironmental?The generation of wastewater during the process of reverse osmosis (RO) is an environmental concern as it requires significant energy and water resources. Typically, the wastewater ratio of an RO system can exceed 70%, which is a significant waste, particularly in areas where water resources are already scarce.However, in recent years, new types of RO technology have been developed that result in wastewater levels below 50%. This reduces the amount of wastewater produced and improves the overall efficiency of RO water production. If you are still concerned about wastewater, you can also consider diverting the wastewater for other purposes, such as fish farming, gardening, or dishwashing, which require lower-quality water.&nbsp;4. Besides Reverse Osmosis, What Other Water Purification Technologies Can Meet Drinking Water Standards?This is also a frequently discussed topic comparing different water purification technologies. Besides reverse osmosis (RO), there are other water purification technologies that can meet drinking water standards. For example, hollow fiber membrane filtration technology can remove impurities from water while retaining minerals and trace elements. Additionally, ceramic filters, ultraviolet disinfection, and other technologies can achieve water purification.One commonly compared alternative is the hollow fiber membrane. Compared to RO, the advantage of hollow fiber membrane filtration technology is that it does not excessively remove minerals and trace elements from water, thus preserving the taste and nutritional content of water. Furthermore, the operational cost of hollow fiber membranes is relatively low as it does not require significant energy usage.However, we must still be aware of certain limitations. While these filtration methods can meet drinking water standards and reduce bacterial contamination, hollow fiber membranes, ceramic filters, and ultraviolet disinfection cannot filter out viruses and heavy metals.&nbsp;5.Should I purchase a Reverse Osmosis &nbsp;water purifier?Based on the above discussion, RO is an effective technology for removing impurities from water, but it also removes some beneficial minerals and trace elements while having higher operating costs. Other filter materials offer better environmental friendliness and lower operating costs but have inferior filtration efficiency. Therefore, the choice of water purification technology should be based on local conditions and specific needs, taking various factors into consideration.Who is suitable for using an RO water purifier?Families with high water consumption.Individuals with higher standards for drinking water safety.Those who have a well-balanced diet and regularly consume fruits, vegetables, and meat.Who is not suitable for purchasing an RO water purifier?Individuals living in rented accommodation, as most RO systems require installation that may damage existing fixtures.Users who cannot accept the generation of wastewater or do not have suitable wastewater plumbing for installation.Individuals with inadequate intake of balanced nutrition in their daily diet.&nbsp;「Welcome reproduction，please indicate the resource」

Question 2

Microplastics pollutes water sources！ Water filters make great contributions

Accepted Answer

Contents1. Introduction2. What is microplastics？3. Where does microplastics pollution comes from？4. Environmental pollution caused by microplastics.5. Human health problem caused by microplastics.6. How to prevent the harm from microplastics？7. RO system or water purifier more efficient for cleaning water？8. What type of filter material suitable for purify microplastics？&nbsp;1. IntroductionAs the times change, people use more and more plastic elements in order to facilitate their lives. But for convenience, it slowly caused indelible damage to the environment. Where did the plastic products that we use every day go? In fact, these plastics did not disappear, but were buried in the soil or in the ocean, river or water sources. And these plastic products will not disappear forever. The plastic will slowly decompose in the water, and finally become the topic for today's article "microplastic". &nbsp;2. What is microplastics?Microplastics refer to any plastic material size is less than 5 mm. So where do microplastics come from? As mentioned in the introduction, the plastic products that used in people's daily life will become microplastics. For example: straws, disposable tableware, plastic bags, plastic cups, bottles, and nylon materials in clothes. Even large plastic products like plastic buckets, fishing nets, and plastic flooring. The plastic material itself does not "decompose", it will only "crush" into microplastics in the environment. Continue to harm the environment in places that are not usually noticed or invisible to the naked eye."Primary microplastics" refers to artificially produced non-crushed &ldquo;plastic particles ". Plastic particles are most commonly used in facial cleansers, exfoliating products and cosmetics in daily supplies. Plastic particles also refer to microbeads which made of plastic add in products. Because plastic particles are harmful to the environment, Taiwan has officially banned the sale of any products containing microbeads in July 2018.No matter what kind of plastic products are in the ocean or rivers, after years of sunshine, embrittlement and fragmentation, "secondary microplastics" are formed. &nbsp;3. Where does microplastics pollution comes fromAs mentioned in the description, different plastics will be slowly broken down into microplastics in water. Moreover, it may cause pollution in many places that we did not expect. For example：1.Recycled PlasticThe raw materials for most of the plastic products can be recycled and reused. When the plastic factory smashes unqualified products (in order to put them into the injection molding machine for melting processing and remolding), the grinder machine breaks the plastic products into granules or powder. The powder will cause dust and float everywhere. Some plastic particles may also fall to the ground, be dumped into trash cans and even flow into rivers and oceans.2.Clothing FiberWhen clothing factories cut fabrics made of plastic fibers, they for surer produce fine powder. These powders (microfibers) will be poured into rivers and flow into the ocean just like plastic injection. 3.Exfoliating Facial CleanserWhen cosmetics manufacturers produce exfoliating facial cleansers, in order to make the products popular with users, they usually add special microbeads to facial cleansers. Make the microbeads easily rub against the face to gain effectively exfoliating. And these microbeads enter the sewers and flow into the ocean at the end. &nbsp;&nbsp;4.Environmental pollution caused by microplastics.According to the news from BBC, scientists are investigating and researching microplastics in the mid-Atlantic. From the surface of the sea to the depth of 200 meters, the total weight of microplastics amounts to 12 to 21 million tons, which is equivalent to 1,000 container ships.Related reports also pointed out that the plastic waste in the environment will flow into the ocean through various pipes. Such as artificial waterways, rivers and streams, or even discarded by human into the sea. After these plastic wastes have been drifting in the ocean for a long time, it will take at least 500 years for them to split to completely decompose. When plastic waste is decomposed into microplastics, humans are likely to absorb these waste plastics into the body through various food or water sources and cause harm. Picture resource from：Greenpeace5. Human health problem caused by microplastics.It is conceivable that plastic will cause a certain amount of harm to the environment, but what kind of harm will microplastics cause to the human body? The most frightening thing about microplastics is that through the food chain, people eat them into the body without knowing it. Due to plastic pollution in the ocean, many seafood, fish and shellfish also absorb many microplastics. As a result, people indirectly absorb harmful plastic substances when eating. &nbsp;Long-term consumption of toxic plastics can cause toxic substances to affect the body's endocrine system, reproductive system and even cause cancer. For human health, plastic disasters can be said to be an issue that must be paid attention to.&nbsp;6. How to prevent the harm from microplastics？【Reduce the amount of plastic used】Reduce the use of plastic bags in supermarket shopping, use environmentally friendly cups and environmentally friendly straws for take away drinks, and do not use disposable tableware when dining out. Even when buying clothes, don&rsquo;t forget pay attention to the material and avoid buying clothes that contain plastic fiber materials. &nbsp;【Garbage separation】 Do not discard the polluted environment randomly. Let the professional environmental protection bureau carry out the follow-up garbage disposal.&nbsp;【Dietary】Tap water, seafood products and salt are all affected by microplastics. Considering the nutritional value of seafood and the overall human body intake, it will not cause major harm. The tap water can be filtered by reverse osmosis and hollow fiber membrane water filtration equipment to filter out microplastics in the water. &nbsp;Picture resource from: SinoPac&nbsp;7. RO system or water purifier more efficient for cleaning water？Both water purifiers and reverse osmosis system have gradually become indispensable home appliances in household products. The water purifier entered the market earlier than reverse osmosis system. How to choose between the two models? Which model works better for filter out the "microplastic" we mentioned in this article?Compared with the two water filtration products, reverse osmosis system is more efficient than water purifier. Due to the RO membrane filtration, most of the harmful substances in the water can be effectively filtered out. For example: viruses, heavy metals, bacteria, microplastics, etc. It can even remove calcium and magnesium ions, which is commonly known as scale. As for the water purifier, it is an early product in the water purification industry. In the early stage, the water was simply filtered to make the quality of the water better. It was not until later that more advanced filter elements began to appear, which improved the water purification quality of the water purifier. For example: a hollow fiber membrane that can be sterilized. &nbsp;Through the following graph, we could have quick exanimate what type of filter model filter out the pollutions: 8. What type of filter material suitable for purify microplastics？Let us practice a little over here, the standard size for microplastics are plastics that under size of 5 mm. By following this standard, let us check which of the commonly used filter material suitable for filter out microplastics! Size measurement：1mm = 1,000&micro;m = 0.1 cm&nbsp;【Polypropylene&nbsp;Fiber】Generally Polypropylene&nbsp;Fiber has two pore sizes, which is 1 &micro;m and 5&micro;m. It is mainly use for filter a large amount of soild, sediment and silt. The pore size is in line with the size that can filter microplastics. 【Chlorine, Taste &amp; Odor Reduction - CTO】Filter pore size 0.2-0.5&micro;m. The main purpose is to filter chemical residues, odors and residual chlorine. In terms of pore size, it can be said that it is easy for block activated carbon to filter microplastics.【Granular Activated Carbon - GAC】The granular size is generally 1-6mm. Because it is granular, the overall filter pore size is relatively large. The purpose is the same as block activated carbon, mainly to filter chemical residues, peculiar smell and residual chlorine. Since there is no precise pore size, it is impossible to confirm whether the microplastics can be effectively filtered. 【Hollow Fiber Membrane】Filter pore size 0.2-0.02&micro;m. It is mainly use for filter bacteria, rust and particulate impurities. If you are using a water purifier, you can add a hollow fiber membrane to ensure that microplastics residues will not remain in the drinking water. 【RO Membrane】Filter pore size 0.0001&micro;m. According to the pore size, it can be imagined that the RO membrane has the best filtering effect. It can filter bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pesticides, etc. in the water, including all minerals. For sure no problem with microplastics! &nbsp;Author：Sally Lee 李慕晨 &nbsp;Oct. 09. 2021「Welcome reproduction，please indicate the resource」&nbsp;Reference：Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration，SGS Taiwan Official site，Greenpeace，BBC News，Tomorrow Science

Question 3

How can PP melt-blown filter cartridge so much different in price？

Accepted Answer

Contents1.&nbsp;Introduction2.Function and production for PP melt-blown filter cartridgeFunction for PP melt-blown filter cartridgeProduction for PP melt-blown filter cartridge3. Product price difference 4. Reason for price differenceFirst reason for price differenceSecond reason for price difference5. Reasonable retail price for PP melt-blow filter cartridge6.The difference between certified and uncertified PP melt-blown filter cartridge. 7. Currently the most credible certification authority in the worldNSF &ndash; National Sanitation FoundationGold Seal from WQA &ndash; Water Quality AssociationPIDC &ndash; Plastic Industry Development Center1. Introduction&nbsp;No matter what kind of products, although the product is the same but the brand is different, there will be a huge price difference. Let&rsquo;s take the common personal item "watch" as an example. This unnecessary personal item should be the one with the largest price difference among all products. The most expensive watch can be bought for several million dollars, and the cheapest one can be bought for several hundred dollars. No let us discuss why a simple and small PP melt-blown filter cartridge price can be so much different?&nbsp;2.Function and production for PP melt-blown filter cartridgeBefore exploring the price difference of PP melt-blown filter cartridge, the author has the responsibility to let you know the function and production process of this product.1. Function for PP melt-blown filter cartridgeA simple manufacturing process and no other components needed, PP melt-blown filter cartridge is an important component of all water purifiers and water purifier filtration equipment. It uses plastic melt-blown technology to achieve the filter pore size we set, and uses a simple filtering method to quickly filter out impurities in the water that are invisible to the eyes. Before PP melt-blown filter cartridge was create, the pre-filter of household filter mostly used wire wound filter (as shown in the picture below) and its material came from cotton yarn. Its disadvantages are that the cost of cotton yarn is more expensive and the process time is longer than the melt-blown filter. In addition, cotton yarn needs a plastic center column to support it which means the price cannot compete with melt-blown filters. So the market for wire wound filters is almost replaced by PP melt-blown filter cartridges. &nbsp;2. Production for PP melt-blown filter cartridgeThe manufacturing process of PP melt-blown filter cartridge is not complicated. It can be completed through a few steps, the process is as follows：&nbsp;Material Preparation &rarr; Dry Material &rarr; Melt-blow molding &rarr; Crop &rarr; Shrink Packaging&rarr; Labeling &rarr; Packing&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s watch the link below to see the production status of PP melt-blown filter cartridge：Since the production process is not complicated and does not require too many processes, why is PP melt-blown filter cartridge price can be so much difference? &nbsp;3. Product price difference A length of 10 inches and an outer diameter of 2 inches PP melt-blown filter cartridge, on the Yahoo! auction website (https://ppt.cc/fIlBRx) retail price can range from $10 to $300. The price difference is as much as 30 times. However, whether value matches or not can be known from the following instructions.&nbsp;4.Reason for price difference1.First reason for price difference:It has applied for the product certification from the US NSF.Let us understand what NSF means? The NSF full name is National Sanitary Foundation。Usually manufacturers of PP melt-blown filters cartridge will apply for the NSF/ANSI 42 standard. Let&rsquo;s also learn about the contents of the NSF/ANSI 42 standard: Standard 42 includes raw material safety, structural integrity, product information, and purification performance to reduce harmful substances and the minimum standards for non-health-related pollutants. The most common claims are chlorine purification and plankton purification. In standard 42 the most common technology is activated carbon filtration, and the standard includes two products: the total point of entry system (POE) and the point-of-place system (POU).&nbsp;When the manufacturer sends samples to the NSF for verification, the most important thing is the material safety test and the immersion test. And then analyze whether the chemical substance is released.&nbsp;After submitting the application, the NSF will conduct a factory inspection on this manufacturer. Only after passing the factory inspection and passing the laboratory test results at the same time can it be considered as certified；The certification is 5 years at a time. After 5 years, it is necessary to re-submit for inspection and pay the certification fee. The total fee is about NTD $2 million every 5 years (including the annual fee). &nbsp;Why is it so expensive to apply for NSF? To be honest, every manufacturer who applying for it, think it&rsquo;s too expensive.1. Just the data review fee before starting the test is required approximate US$6,000 2. Cost of product testing approximate US$19,0003. Annual fee US$8,100 /year x5 years =US$40,500&nbsp;The annual fees charged by NSF from manufacturers are used for unexpected inspections at the factory each year, including：1.The certified product (including the sold goods and the in-factory inventory) is consistent with the purchased raw material invoices.2. Has the material supplier originally sent for inspection been changed without filing?The NSF stipulates that the certified manufacturer shall not change the material manufacturer originally submitted for review in the middle; if the material manufacturer needs to be replaced in the middle, a large fee will need to be paid for material testing. 3.Are the certified product labels posted according to the NSF regulations? Are there any false postings on products that have not been certified?4.Does the quantity on the accounting account match the sales quantity + product inventory quantity?5.If it is found to be false or defective, NSF will issue a fine.&nbsp;How to make sure that the product you bought or product advertisement really claims to have obtained NSF certification? The easiest way is search on NSF official website, use the manufacturer company name in English of the product you bought or want to buy. For example：https://ppt.cc/fbESxx&nbsp;2. Second reason for price differenceNSF does a material safety test for this No. 42 standard, and analyzes whether it can release chemical substances after the immersion test. Therefore, the manufacturer who applies must pay attention to the product materials selection. The raw materials and production process must not release any toxic substances. Moreover, the manufacturer needs to produce according to the raw material formula of the product that has passed the original inspection, and shall not change it arbitrarily. In other words, the product did not apply for NSF certificate then it does not need to follow the NSF specifications. They can use any material arbitrarily even unqualified raw materials can be added or used. Even if discarded recycled materials are used, as to whether toxic substances will be released, they will not be within the specifications, and there will be a price difference between the products.&nbsp;On July 7, 2021, the price of PP polypropylene is about NTD $8603.19/ton and the market price is about NTD $44-46/kg. The recycled PP plastic material is between NTD $500-1000. The price difference between the two is as much as 5-8 times.5.Reasonable retail price for PP melt-blow filter cartridgeIn recent years, the water purifier market has become hyper-competitive, and more water purifier filter manufacturers apply for NSF product certification. It is impossible to spread out all application fees in the product price. Only a little part of the application fee can be spread out in the price. For example: it is estimated that 200,000 PP melt-blown filter cartridges can be sold within five years and the retail price can only be amortized at NTD $10 per filter cartridge. Therefore, the retail price of a reasonable NSF certified PP melt-blown filter cartridge should be between NTD $80-100. &nbsp;6.The difference between certified and uncertified PP melt-blown filter cartridge. Manufacturer willing to pay so much money for apply product certification all because they want to win the trust of B2B customers in order to get orders more often and sustainable. It is also prove that the manufacture is capable of obtaining strict product certification. On the consumer side, in addition to ensuring the quality of the product, it can also avoid product quality problems or release of toxins, resulting in consumer complaints, claims and even litigation.&nbsp;The uncertified PP melt-blow filter cartridge, the source of the raw material of the product is unknown, and it has not been inspected by the third impartial association. Even without a product certificate, the chemical substance or toxin cannot be explained. For selling in cheaper price, some manufacturers and distributors will import cheap PP melt-blown filters cartridge from backward countries. All the different sales agents in Taiwan, it is unknown whether their raw materials and production processes comply with non-toxic emissions. &nbsp;7.Currently the most credible certification authority in the worldThe following certification authority, accept external water purification equipment and filter products testing and certified: &nbsp;&nbsp; 1 NSF &ndash; National Sanitation FoundationLocated in Michigan, USA, it was established in 1944. The product certification is signed every five years, and the certification price is the highest among all certification authority.Official Website: https://www.nsf.orgWikipedia: https://ppt.cc/f93Rax&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 Gold Seal from WQA &ndash; Water Quality AssociationLocated in the US, it was established in 1959. This association originally just a private water treatment association, professional in serving members. The main income from membership fees, other than that is the annual seminars and exhibitions. In 1974, they started establishing their laboratory and accept water purification equipment testing and certification business. This is where the "Gold Seal" product certification mark came from.Official Website: https://www.wqa.orgWikipedia: https://ppt.cc/fOegSx&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3 PIDC &ndash; Plastic Industry Development CenterThe Taiwan Plastics Center is a semi-official foundation that development technology. It is also the third category accredited designated laboratory of the Taiwan-made MIT smile product verification system. They accept private water filtration equipment testing and drinking water treatment equipment testing. Products that have passed the test can obtain the MIT Smile Mark certification from the Industrial Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which is signed every two years.Official Website: https://ppt.cc/fLAWGx&nbsp;Author：Rodger Lin&nbsp;July 17. 2021「Welcome reproduction，please indicate the resource」Further reading：Why apply for NSF certification

Question 4

General Knowledge - How to select the right Sediment Filter?

Accepted Answer

Sediment PP cartridges are the basic filters which can remove small particle such as sand, mud, asbestos, silt, and turbidity from the water. They are made from melt brown PP fibers.&nbsp;Normally speaking, sediment PP cartridges are used to remove all types of sedimentary particles as per the required micron rating. PP pore sizes are divided to 1 micron, 5 micron, 10 micron and 20 micron.These materials are cheaper compared to the materials used with other cartridges and it is where sediment PP cartridges got its other name of low-cost infiltration cartridges. Also, PP cartridges prevent pressure difference during the filtration. These materials are rather preservative, safe, and inexpensive and have good filtering rates. Sediments PP cartridges are equipped for the first stage cartridge in water filters and RO systems.&nbsp;There are three types of PP cartridges which are melt blown, wound filter and pleated filter. Although the melt blown cartridges&rsquo; filtering rate and service life are lower compared to other PP filters and it is the cheapest one among their kinds. Melt blown filter is also the standard one in water filters in the market.On the contrary, the pleated filter has the best filtering rate but has the most expensive price. Furthermore, the wound filter has both high quality filtering rate and competitive price.&nbsp;In addition, it is recommended to replace the PP cartridges once in 2-3 months. After using these materials for 2-3 months, you could find them discolor due to the sediments and rust. Although PP&rsquo;s price is quite affordable, people should be avoided purchasing bad quality products.If the production process is poor, this would cause the pore size too big. Plus, poor production would lead the PP to deform once contacting with high water pressure. Above situations would certainly affect the filtering rate. At result, the sediments might flow to the following filters and result in clogging.&nbsp;It is suggested that you press the sediments PP cartridges to check if it is firm before purchasing. Also, you could buy from ALYA which has released high quality filtering materials to bring you clean and safe pure water.

Question 5

Choosing the Right Dechorinating Shower Head

Accepted Answer

Table of Contents1.Dechorinating shower head filter trends2.Why do I need to use a dechlorinating shower head or filter?3. How do I choose the right dechlorinating shower head or filter?4.Dechlorinating Shower Head and Filter Comparison Table&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Dechorinating shower head filter trendsThe use of dechlorinating showers in Europe and the United States has become fairly common.&nbsp;2. Why do I need to use a dechlorinating shower head or filter?The purity of drinking water can impact our physical health. Using contaminated or unclean bath water can be detrimental to the skin. Why is this? In the process of delivering tap water to our homes water facilities add sodium hypochlorite to the water in order to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses during the transport. This in turn produces chlorine when added to the tap water.&nbsp;The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties of chorine are well-known, and although it can damage our skin and harm our bodies, the damage is mild and undetectable, and not immediately obvious to us. Over time this can lead to the accelerated aging of skin, dry skin, and in some cases even lesions.&nbsp;3. How do I choose the right dechlorinating shower head or filter?Considering the importance of water purity for healthy skin, how do we choose the right shower filter?1.Installation Location ㊀ The above-mentioned model SF-123 dechlorination showerhead can be used in the following applications:① Warm and hot water bathroom faucets② Toilet seat bidets③ Three-stage shower faucet sets④ American style wall-mounted showers㊁&nbsp;The handle-type dechlorinating shower head pictured below is most widely used in Taiwanese bathrooms.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The model is available for DIY installation. Remove the old shower head, and install the new one by turning clockwise.2.Determining Hot Water Heater TypeIt is very important to determine whether the hot water in your bathroom is supplied by an electric or gas hot water heater, including solar models. If it is a gas hot water heater you must choose a dechlorinating shower filter with a large amount of water discharge. In the video below a conventional shower head is shown on the right. It is not designed to save water, but to supply water from gas hot water heaters in the home and prevent contamination due to the low water pressure.If you use an electric water heater (including solar water heaters) at home, it is recommended that you purchase a dechlorinating shower filter with the &nbsp;water-saving function, which can be seen in the video on the left showing the letters &ldquo;DROP.&rdquo;&nbsp;3.Water SavingWater conservation has become a hot topic all around the world. If an electric or solar hot water heater is used in your home it is best to choose a dechlorinating shower filter with a water saving function. With an up to 30% reduction in water use, what is the best way to choose? ① Products are available that have been awarded the Water Saving Badge of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan.② Select the water outlet size and aperture with specially designed stainless steel water outlet panel with the ratio of 400 pores at 0.3 mm each on a &nbsp;20 mm wide disk. Not only does this save water but it can also ensure that the water discharge level is appropriate. The better the water discharge the easier it is pressurize the water so that the shower can also be used for a spa massage.https://ppt.cc/fIejFx&nbsp;4.Dechlorination EffectBecause dechlorinating shower filters advertise the ability to be able to remove chlorine from water supply, the dechlorinating effect is its primary function. Due to the small space inside a showerhead the size of the filter is limited, making the choice of filter material important. A filter made of calcium sulfite tends to be the ideal choice in such a small space. Japan has been a leader in the manufacturing of calcium sulfite filters and these tend to be the most effective.&nbsp;5.Water PressureDechlorinating filters are designed with a 20mm-wide disk that has an aperture of approximately 400 evenly distributed holes which are .3mm in diameter. The stainless steel water discharge panel is ideally proportioned to result in higher water pressure and produce the sensation of a nice bath. It can also result in a 30% reduction in water use.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;Dechlorinating Shower Head and Filter Comparison TableBelow you will find an easy-to-use comparison table for your reference to facilitate the purchase of a dechlorinating showerhead. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Author: Alya Water Purification, Lin Dong-poNovember 7, 2020 Reprints welcome but please cite the source.

Question 6

General Knowledge - Water Scale Decoded

Accepted Answer

The most common filter to filter and remove scale to achieve soft water uses ion exchange resin.&ldquo;Ion exchange "refers to: when the water flows through the filter, the resin within the material and the minerals in the water produce billions of exchanges; the ion-exchange resins are used to replace the magnesium and calcium ions found in hard water with sodium ions. When the resin is fresh, it contains sodium ions. When in contact with a solution containing magnesium and calcium ions (but a low concentration of sodium ions), the magnesium and calcium ions preferentially migrate out of solution to the active sites on the resin, and are replaced in by sodium ions. This process reaches equilibrium with a much lower concentration of magnesium and calcium ions in the solution than it started with. Its chemical formula is as follows:(There&rsquo;s no need to memorise, the teacher will not test you)Ca2++2Na-R&rarr;Ca-R2+2Na+1Mg2++2Na-R&rarr;Mg-R2+2Na+1Strictly speaking, this type of water softener made of ionomer as a filter element should not be called "water purification equipment" because it does not remove contaminants from water. What it does is: reduces scale, removes calcium and magnesium ions from the water. However, other pollutants in the water, such as organic pollutants, microorganisms, and suspended particles cannot be filtered. So the ion resin can only be used in the front of the water purifier. It cannot be used alone to ensure the purity of water.In general, the life of the ionic resin is limited to about 2-3 months, (depending on the water quality conditions) before failure. Several filter kettle filters have added ion resin to remove scale, but the volumes are too small, and they usually have a shorter lifespan, so we are not very optimistic about the effectiveness of the unit&rsquo;s ability to remove scale.Ion resin filter shortcomings. In addition to a short life and a slightly higher unit price, the other shortcoming is in the ion exchange process where sodium ions are released and which, for kidney patients, there is a health risk. A no sodium ion resin can also be chosen but water filtered in this way releases hydrogen ions and makes the water quality acidic, so the choice is the customers.In addition to inhibiting scale with ion resin the use of RO water purification equipment can also a good choice. The reason is that the water molecules passing through the membrane holes are only the diameter of a hair, one thousandth of the RO membrane, and will filter out heavy metal ions, organic toxins and bacteria; but the shortcomings of water obtained from reverse osmosis treatment, is that there is a discharge of waste, which is, generally, a waste of water resources.No matter what kind of filter water purification method used there is no 100% perfect solution. The important fact is for consumers to understand their needs and preferences, and to choose a product with a good reputation, of excellent quality and which provides the protection required of a water purifier. ALYA&nbsp;water purification has won the Ministry of Economic Affairs Little Giant Award, because our &ldquo;made in Taiwan&rdquo; water purification products have obtained excellent export results, in order for us to obtain this honor, worthy of national trust.&nbsp;

Question 7

General Knowledge - What is RO System？

Accepted Answer

Every time when we visit the water purifier shop, seller introduces the product with technical terms which really confuse us.&nbsp;&ldquo;RO&rdquo; was named from the former two letters of Reverse Osmosis; full name is Reverse Osmosis water purifier. This system is normally as be called &ldquo;RO system&rdquo;.At present, RO system is still one kind of best-selling, the safest household used water filter all over the world.&nbsp;

Question 8

General Knowledge - Reverse Osmosis Principle

Accepted Answer

Reverse Osmosis PrincipleIn 1748 French scientists first discovered the phenomenon that water can permeate a pig&rsquo;s gallbladder but, based on the production technology of the time, this knowledge could not be used in a practical way. This phenomenon was used over the next two hundred years to explain other various natural phenomena, such as the theory on how trees absorb moisture. The principle is as follows:If the permeate membrane separates brine on two sides with different concentrations, the water molecules will move from the low concentration side to the high concentration side in order to balance the potential energy on both sides, until the water level and water pressure difference between the two sides are equal whereby water molecules cannot be relocated and material exchange is balanced. This is the osmotic effect (Osmosis) phenomenon. Such as 4.11.&nbsp;FIGURE 4.11 The phenomena of thin membrane permeationData source: http://www.alamowater.com/development/PDFs%20website/Reverse%20101.docReverse osmosis, as its name implies, is able to stop the above mentioned infiltration effect, such as pressure moving from the high concentration side and reverse it, so that the water from the high concentration side is forced to the low concentration side for water purification. As shown in Figure 4.12.FIGURE 4.12 The phenomena of permeationData source: http://www.alamowater.com/development/PDFs%20website/Reverse%20101.docIn simple terms, in the raw water side of the application the pressure is greater than in reverse osmosis. In reverse osmosis, contaminated components concentrated in the raw water such as: dissolved and insoluble inorganic salts, heavy metals, organic matter, bacteria, and particles cannot pass through the semipermeable membrane. Only water molecules and smaller molecules of salt can penetrate the film, and flow to the water on the other side.To concentrate raw water the pressure has to be gradually and infinitely increased. In actual operation, if you could continue to supply raw water to maintain a constant pressure you could drain the concentrate and achieve the purpose of reverse osmosis.When it comes to the reverse osmosis membrane, it is included in a small part of the separation membrane. The separation membrane (CROSS-FLOW) can be subdivided into: Refer to Table 4.16.-&nbsp; Reverse Osmosis (RO)-&nbsp; Ultra Filtration (UF)- &nbsp;Microfiltration (MF)-&nbsp; GAS Separation (GS)In all separation membrane projects reverse osmosis membrane permeability holes are the smallest, between 0.0001 ~ 0.002 micron. For comparison the human hair has a diameter of about 10micron. You can therefore see the precision in the reverse osmosis membrane pore. In addition it effectively filters bacterial viruses and also removes toxic heavy metals in water, as shown in Figure 4.13 separation membrane application and Table 4.16 separation membrane type.Table 4.16 Types of separation membrane​&nbsp;NO.AbbreviationSeparation membrane English nameChinese nameWater permeation porous diameter (MICRON)1ROREVERSE OSMOSIS逆滲透0.0001 ~ 0.0022UFULTRAFILTRATION超過濾0.006 ~ 0.113MFMICROFILTRATION微孔過濾0.08 ~&nbsp;1.24EDELECTRODIALYSIS電滲析(或稱電透析)----5DDDIFFUSION DIALYSIS擴散滲析----6PVPERVAPORATION滲透蒸發----7GSGAS SEPERATION氣體分離----8EDIELECTRODEIONIZATION電除鹽----9NFNANOFILTRATION極濾膜0.0009 ~ 0.009Data Source: consolidated by EASY WELLFIGURE 4.13 Application of separation membrane(Source: Lin Dongpo Master's thesis)R.O. (reverse osmosis method) is the great invention of human beings in the 21 centuries.&nbsp; It is the most advanced and safest water filtration method.&nbsp; The main reasons are that R.O. reverse osmosis method is the alternates of the following products.1.&nbsp;Ion exchanger resin.2.&nbsp;Distill water machine.3.&nbsp;Water softening device.4.&nbsp;UV disinfection machine.5.&nbsp;Activated carbon water filter.6.&nbsp;Water filtration canister.

Question 9

General Knowledge - The Advantages of RO Method

Accepted Answer

1. Be able to remove bacterial, virus, chemical contaminant substances from water, especially those &nbsp;that are difficult to treat heavy metal contaminants such as mercury, arsenic, lead &iexcl;K etc. It lowers the possibilities of developing cancer and all chronic diseases.2. The water molecule group is smaller than that in the original water, easy to absorb.3. Impurities content low in pure and clean water, will not increase load in kidney.4. Good taste no odor, drinks better than common water.5. At the present time, the use of reverse osmosis method is recognized as the safest drinking water in the world, for home drinking of potable water, make milks, tea, medical use and prevent diseases.

Question 10

How Do We Judge the Authenticity of NSF Water Purification Products?

Accepted Answer

When water purification companies market their products they often claim that the products they sell or their components are NSF certified. This is likely due to the fact that many people are familiar with the abbreviation and find it credible. We must keep in mind that the cost of applying for NSF certification is in fact quite high. The application cost for a single product to be certified can be between $30,000 and $80,000. On top of that manufacturers must pay an annual fee of $6000 per product in order to keep the certification valid. So it is no wonder that NSF certification is regarded as a vital selling point. This feature serves to boost customers&rsquo; trust in the quality of the product.&nbsp; &nbsp;While some manufacturers have a long-term commitment to quality and integrity of their products and strive to improve the quality of the product to ensure product safety, and thus have no problem spending large amounts of money applying for NSF certification, there are some who will deceive consumers in order to save money and avoid applying for NSF certification, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. These products may in fact release harmful toxins in the drinking water. &nbsp;I would like to offer consumers some tips to help see through these deceptive practices. These are two common tricks employed by dishonest vendors: &nbsp;Uploading Other Manufacturers&rsquo; CertificatesSome manufacturers upload certificates that are not their own, but of other companies or suppliers. They do not want consumers to know how to verify whether the vendor has actually applied for NSF certification, so they casually put someone else&rsquo;s certificate on the website. To ensure that the certificate is authentic, we can compare the name on the certificate with the brand name of the water purifier to see if the company name matches the name on the certificate. Uploading Expired CertificatesThe product may be NSF certified and the yearly fee paid, but the certification is not permanent. Manufacturers must apply for a new certification every five years and incur the costs (see above) once more. This complicates matters greatly which is why some manufactures use expired certificates which will be found under the product on the shopping website. To verify the validity of the certificate consumers can refer to the NSF website and check the product&rsquo;s information. Once the manufacturer has applied for NSF certification the NSF registers the name of the manufacturer on their official website, which is in English. Consumers may follow the steps below to save time finding the name of the manufacturer.The official website of NSF in the US is &nbsp;https://www.nsf.org.&nbsp; &nbsp;The steps to find the name of the certified manufacturer are as follows:1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Find the search icon: Search Certified Products and Systems&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;2. &nbsp;Enter the name of the company (the company&rsquo;s name must be in English)&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;-3.&nbsp; If the authentication name on the screen is the same as the company name of the product you want to buy, it is correct.&nbsp;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;-MORE: https://reurl.cc/gWvl7RReprints welcome but please cite the source.June 15, 2020

Question 11

Why apply for NSF certification

Accepted Answer

Q: Why should water purification equipment have an NSF certification?A: Because NSF is an international agency and is the most representative inspection agency in the field of drinking water.&nbsp;A water purifier that has obtained NSF international certification not only has to pass the pollutant removal test, but also must fully meet the following six conditions:The certification for pollutant removal must pass the test conducted by NSF International in its own laboratory.The water purifier must not add any harmful substances to the water, and all raw materials in contact with the water must pass strict extraction tests.The water purifier must be robust in construction, in order to meet the requirements for changes in pressure.Advertisements, manuals, and labels must not contain any false or misleading claims.The raw materials and manufacturing process must remain unchanged. Additionally, the suppliers must not be changed, and NSF official inspection must be received every year.Testing for certified products must be applied for every five years, and application and testing fees must be paid for again.&nbsp;List of NSF standards:The Drinking Water Treatment Units Joint Committee develops standards for the testing and certification of drinking water filtration equipment. These standards are formulated through a rigorous development process.&nbsp;These standards include:NSF/ANSI Standard 42 - Standard 42 includes: minimum standards for raw material safety, structural integrity, product information, and purification performance to reduce harmful substances and non-health-related pollutants. The most common claims are chlorine purification and plankton purification. The most common technology in standard 42 is activated carbon filtration, and the standard includes two products: the overall point of entry system (POE) and the point-of-use system (POU).&nbsp;NSF/ANSI Standard 44 - Standard 44 establishes the minimum certification standard for household cation exchange water softeners. Standard 44 includes: material safety, structural integrity, accuracy of brine systems, product information, and the reduction of hardness and specific pollutants (such as radium 226/228 and barium) from known quality water sources.NSF/ANSI Standard 53 - Standard 53 includes: raw material safety, structural integrity, product information and health-related pollutant purification reduction performance for: lead, Cryptosporidium, VOCs, chromium, and many other adjudicated minimum standards. The most common technology used in Standard 53 is activated carbon filtration, which is related to POE and POU standards. Some products fall under both standard 42 and standard 53 because they have been adjudicated to reduce harmful health-related contaminants.&nbsp;NSF/ANSI Standard 55 - Standard 55 establishes the minimum standard for UV system certification. Standard 55 includes: material safety, structural integrity, product information and UV performance. UV systems can be classified into Class A (emission of a minimum ultraviolet dose of 40 megajoules per square centimeter) and Class B (emission of a minimum ultraviolet dose of 16 megajoules per square centimeter). Class A is a declaration for: the disinfection of water quality related to disease-causing bacteria, viruses, cryptosporidium, or caterpillars. Class B is a declaration for reduction of harmful microorganisms that usually breed in disinfected drinking water.NSF/ANSI Standard 58 - Standard 58 establishes the minimum standard for POU reverse osmosis system certification. Standard 58 includes: raw material safety, structural integrity, product information, total dissolved solids (TDS), and additional pollutant purification declarations. These additional pollutant declarations include bag purification, brine purification, radium 266/228 purification, copper purification, hexavalent and trivalent chromium purification, arsenic purification, nitrate/nitrite purification, cadmium, and lead purification.&nbsp;NSF/ANSI Standard 62 - Standard 62 establishes the minimum standards for certification of POU and POE distillation systems. Standard 62 includes: raw material safety, structural integrity, product information, total dissolved solids (TDS), and additional pollutant purification declarations.NSF/ANSI Standard 177 - Standard 177 establishes the minimum standard for household shower filtration systems. Standard 177 includes: raw material safety, structural integrity, product information and chlorine purification.&nbsp;Main source of information: NSF International (National Sanitation Foundation)

Question 12

Water Purifier Recommended Purchase Guide

Accepted Answer

The market for water purification products is varied. In addition to functional differences, the models appearance and their water purification technology also lead to consumers being confused. The most frequently asked questions from consumers are: Firstly, what kind of water purifier do I need for my home? Secondly, aren&rsquo;t more filters better? Thirdly, can I really drink filtered water? Isn&rsquo;t boiled water safer? We now want our consumers to ask questions, so we can provide them with immediate answers to assist them with their selection of water purifier (water filter).If you choose the water purifier based on the 5 key points below you will not waste money.1. You only need to drink pure water. You don&rsquo;t need water with&ldquo;magical effects&rdquo;,such as those water purifiers on the market which offer many special features, such as: alkaline water, energy water, far infrared water, activated water, activated cells, enhanced immunity, etc. While these products may add more value, the additional features are usually not worth the price, If there is no specific need, buying a quality Taiwanese made water purifier will meet our daily needs for the drinking of pure water.&nbsp;2. Select features according to the regional water quality characteristics.For example: Although Taiwan is a beautiful treasured island which, not only has its own special scenery and cultural style, there are still noticeable differences in the water quality in different areas. In general, the water quality is better in the north than in the because of the high carbon content. Calcium is commonly known as hard water so drinking it means the taste is poor. If you buy a water purifier on the Internet please remember to choose the correct one for your area.(Click here for more information on water quality throughout Taiwan)3. Understand the function of the filter. Do not listen to the exaggerated words from companies.Each of the different materials in the filter has its own importance. For example, the PP filter can remove sediment (including larger sediment) and other impurities from the water.&nbsp; Hollow fiber membranes can filter out most bacteria, and RO reverse osmosis filters can filter out more small viruses. It is recommended that consumers do their homework by first reading this article: "water filter core comparison function table"4. With filters having standard specifications the purchase and installation in easy.Almost every water purifier manufacturer uses a dedicated filter connector for quick and easy installation, to prevent leakage, and which is suitable for people to use on a daily basis without the need to spend a lot of time studying the filter area to replace it.The benefits of a general specification is that it is easy for Carrefour and other large buyers to buy filters. However, the product may be of poor quality, may have assembly problems, and could leak. We suggest that you only purchase well-known domestic brand.&nbsp;5. Regular replacement of the filter is better than purchasing a high-priced water purifier.The purpose of the filter is to filter the harmful substances in the water, which, through long-term use, clog the pores and cause&nbsp;other issues. We often hear from a friend or a consumer who has forgotten to regularly replace the filter because of their busy life and who only does so when the flow of the water is reduced or when the water starts smelling. Many appear shocked when they realise they haven&rsquo;t changed the filter for over a year. In these situations the residual bacteria in the filter may be far greater than in ordinary water.&nbsp; The amount of bacteria in high priced, high-standard water products may cause more harm than drinking water directly. You do not want to drink water with bacteria in it. Therefore, water friends, please remember to regularly replace the filter!&nbsp;Please remember to replace the filter regularly!Please remember to replace the filter regularly!Please remember to replace the filter regularly!Because it is important, so say it three times!Water filter core comparison function tableNote:&nbsp;『O』Can be Removed&nbsp;; 『X』Cannot be RemovedUnderstanding the common two, three, four, five filter water purifiers on the market.* two-way water purifier* three-way water purifier* five way pure water machineThe above shows the most common combinations on the market. However, there many manufacturers have also introduced small water purifier products with a multi-material combination single filter. Make sure you have in-depth understanding of each filter material so you can make the best choice for the most suitable filter for your own water purifier.Can you really drink purified water?The problem with drinking water is not how much bacteria is in it but how much chlorine has been added by the Taiwan Water Company to reduce levels of bacteria.&nbsp; In principle water from the water plant is in line with the standards. However, the pipelines in most areas of Taiwan are old and households use water towers for storage of water. Bacteria breeds in the pipeline and water towers meaning that most of the water cannot be drunk in its raw state. Bacteria consumed through the drinking of raw water can easily lead to diarrhea and sickness.In addition to bacteria, there is another harmful microbial &ndash; virus that is about 20-200nm in size; much smaller than the bacteria, which is 1,000-10,000nm in size. As RO reverse osmosis membrane pore sizes are less than 1nm, viruses and bacteria can be completely blocked so the water is safe to drink.Taiwanese poison authority Xia Jue Lin has given 10 major pieces of advice regarding food safety, one of which is the suggestion that homes should install a RO reverse osmosis water purifier, to avoid drinking water from water stations.Choose Counter Top, Under Sink, or Tap Water FilerRegardless of the form of the water purifier filtering is still a major consideration. The more specialised item is the tap water purifier. Due to its small size the amount of water that can be filtered is less. However, the price is cheap, and it is easy to install, especially for students living away from home or for our single friends to use.※ The reference value for filter life is based on the amount of water users use at different times.