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ANSI/AWWA B101-94
(First Edition)
AWWA STANDARD
FOR
All changes specified in the erratum to AWWA B101-94 are incorporated into this standard.
Effective date: Oct. 1, 1995.
This edition approved by AWWA Board of Directors June 23, 1994.
Approved by American National Standards Institute May 10, 1995.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
AWWA Standard
This document is an American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard. It is not a specification.
AWWA standards describe minimum requirements and do not contain all of the engineering and
administrative information normally contained in specifications. The AWWA standards usually contain options that must be evaluated by the user of the standard. Until each optional feature is
specified by the user, the product or service is not fully defined. AWWA publication of a standard
does not constitute endorsement of any product or product type, nor does AWWA test, certify, or
approve any product. The use of AWWA standards is entirely voluntary. AWWA standards are
intended to represent a consensus of the water supply industry that the product described will
provide satisfactory service. When AWWA revises or withdraws this standard, an official notice of
action will be placed on the first page of the classified advertising section of Journal AWWA. The
action becomes effective on the first day of the month following the month of Journal AWWA publication of the official notice.
ii
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
Committee Personnel
The AWWA Standards Subcommittee on Media for Precoat Filtration, which
developed this standard, had the following personnel:
Edward A. Bryant, Chair
G.J. Black
Daniel McCartney
W.G. Blunt
R.W. McIndoe
J.L. Cleasby
R.L. Meadows
K.R. Fox
R.D. Newby
V.R. Godsey
The AWWA Standards Committee on Filtering Materials, which reviewed and
approved this standard, had the following personnel at the time of approval:
Richard H. Moser, Chair
R. Lee Roberts, Vice-Chair
W. Kirk Corliss Jr., Secretary
Consumer Members
J.E. Durrant, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia, Pa.
T.L. Gloriod, St. Louis County Water Company, St. Louis, Mo.
J.R. McQueen, Connecticut Water Company, Clinton, Conn.
R.H. Moser, American Waterworks Service Company, Voorhees, N.J.
F.W. Pogge, Kansas City Water Department, Kansas City, Mo.
G.F. Stolarik, Los Angeles Aquaduct Filtration Plant, Sylmar, Calif.
C.E. Stringer, Dallas Water Utilities, Dallas, Texas
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(NEWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
*Liaison, nonvoting
iii
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
(AWWA)
(NEWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(USEPA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
Producer Members
M.S. Chopra, Minerals Research & Recovery, Tucson, Ariz.
C.E. Edlund, MMEI, Peachtree City, Ga.
J.W. Guptill, The Taulman Company, Atlanta, Ga.
L.K. Noble, Northern Gravel Company, Muscatine, Iowa
R.L. Roberts, Roberts Filter Company, Darby, Pa.
T.P. Walter, Carbon Sales Inc., Wilkes Barre, Pa.
iv
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
(AWWA)
Contents
All AWWA standards follow the general format indicated subsequently. Some variations from this format may
be found in a particular standard.
SEC.
PAGE
SEC.
PAGE
Foreword
Verification
I
I.A
I.B
I.C
II
II.A
5.1
5.2
Sampling ............................................ 4
Test Procedures General .............. 4
Delivery
6.1
6.2
6.3
Marking.............................................. 8
Packaging and Shipping ................... 8
Affidavit of Compliance..................... 9
III
III.A
III.B
IV
V
Introduction....................................... vi
Background ....................................... vi
History............................................... vi
Acceptance......................................... vi
Special Issues.................................. vii
Storage and Handling
Precautions ................................... vii
Use of This Standard .................... viii
Purchaser Options and
Alternatives ................................. viii
Modification of Standard .............. viii
Major Revisions ............................. viii
Comments ...................................... viii
Appendix
A
Figures
1
Standard
General
1.1
1.2
1.3
Scope................................................... 1
Purpose............................................... 1
Application ......................................... 1
References........................................ 1
Definitions ....................................... 2
Requirements
4.1
4.2
4.3
Physical Requirements...................... 3
Chemical Requirements .................... 3
Impurities........................................... 3
Bibliography.................................... 10
Tables
1
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
Foreword
This foreword is for information only and is not a part of AWWA B101.
I. Introduction
I.A. Background. Precoat media filtration is a process in which a filter
medium, typically diatomite or perlite, is applied to filters, and then run, removed,
and disposed of on a cyclic basis. This process is unlike granular-media filtration, in
which graduated layers of granules installed in granular-media filters are more or
less permanently placed in the filters and periodically backwashed or mechanically
cleaned and reused.
In precoat media filtration, a thin layer of the filter medium or precoat is
applied to specially designed media-support structures, or septa, within the filter
vessel or structure, by recirculating a slurry of the filtering medium through the
filter. After the precoat layer is established and filtration begun, additional precoat
filter-medium material is continually added as the raw water is passed through the
filter. This is done to disperse the accumulation of solids from the source water on
the precoat surface and throughout the media depth. The addition of filtering
medium is called bodyfeeding. Using bodyfeeding reduces or eliminates premature
clogging or fouling of the surface of the precoat layer. At the completion of the
filtration cycle, the filter septa and the vessel are flushed. The spent filteringmedium material and the collected particulates from the source water are drained to
the waste disposal facility. The clean filter is precoated again and a new filtration
cycle begun.
I.B. History. AWWA B101-94 was approved as a new standard by the AWWA
Board of Directors on June 23, 1994.
I.C. Acceptance. In May 1985, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) entered into a cooperative agreement with a consortium led by NSF International (NSF) to develop voluntary third-party consensus standards and a certification program for all direct and indirect drinking water additives. Other members of
the original consortium included the American Water Works Association Research
Foundation (AWWARF) and the Conference of State Health and Environmental
Managers (COSHEM). The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) joined later.
In the United States, authority to regulate products for use in, or in contact
with, drinking water rests with individual states.* Local agencies may choose to
impose requirements more stringent than those required by the state. To evaluate
the health effects of products and drinking water additives from such products, state
and local agencies may use various references, including
1. An advisory program formerly administered by USEPA, Office of Drinking
Water, discontinued on Apr. 7, 1990.
2. Specific policies of the state or local agency.
*Persons in Canada, Mexico, and non-North American countries should contact the
appropriate authority having jurisdiction.
vi
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
vii
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
Suppliers of these products should provide all purchasers with proper safety
literature and material safety data sheets (MSDS).
III. Use of This Standard
It is the responsibility of the user of an AWWA standard to determine that the
products described in that standard are suitable for use in the particular application
being considered.
III.A. Purchaser Options and Alternatives. The following items should be covered in the purchasers specifications:
1. Standard used that is, AWWA B101, Standard for Precoat Filter Media,
of latest revision.
2. Product name(s).
3. Generic characteristics (Table 1) that the purchaser may wish to require
based on tests included in this standard follow:
Bulk densities
Permeability
(Sec. 5.2.4.)
Portion retained
on 150 mesh
*American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.
viii
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
ANSI/AWWA B101-94
(First Edition)
SECTION 2: REFERENCES
This standard references the following documents. In their latest editions, they
form a part of this standard to the extent specified in this standard. In any case of
conflict, the requirements of this standard shall prevail.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
AWWA B101-94
SECTION 3: DEFINITIONS
In this standard, the following definitions shall apply:
1. Bag: The industry standard is a multiwall paper bag containing approximately 2.1 to 2.3 ft3 (0.06 to 0.07 m3) of wet compacted filter-media equivalent
volume. This volume results in a diatomite bag weight of 50 lb (22.5 kg) and generally lower perlite bag weights of 16 to 45 lb (7 to 20 kg), depending on manufacturer
and grade.
2. Bulk: Filter media may be shipped in rail hopper cars or tanker trucks.
Rail or truck vehicles may be pressure-differential or air-fluidized gravity-flow units,
discharging into pneumatic conveying systems. Railcars have capacities as great as
6,000 ft3 (170 m3), while truck capacities typically range from 1,500 to 3,000 ft3 (40
to 85 m3).
3. Constructor: The party that furnishes the work and materials for placement or installation.
4. Diatomite (diatomaceous earth): Diatomite is a siliceous, sedimentary rock
consisting primarily of the fossilized skeletal remains of diatoms, which are unicellular aquatic plants related to algae. Diatomite deposits were formed from marine and
freshwater species of diatoms and are found worldwide.
5. Manufacturer: The party that manufactures, fabricates, or produces materials or products.
6. Perlite: Perlite originates from rock formed by the solidification of magma
and is primarily composed of alumina silicate. Deposits of perlite are generally
found in or near areas of past volcanic activity. The perlite ore expands at 2,400F
(1,300C), at which temperature the silicate liquifies, and combined water vaporizes
forming multicellular, irregular, glass-like shapes.
7. Purchaser: The person, company, or organization that purchases any
materials or work to be performed.
8. Semibulk Container: The semibulk container is usually a fabric container
made of woven polypropylene fabric, which may be fitted with lifting sleeves or
loops. The containers may be palletized or shipped as is. Special designs that are
compatible with sophisticated unloading systems are available. Sizes may be negotiated with filter-media suppliers, but typically range from 40 to 90 ft3 (1 to 2.5 m3) in
*American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Code of Federal Regulations, US Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036.
NSF International, P.O. Box 130140, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0140.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
SECTION 4: REQUIREMENTS
Each manufacturer of precoat media produces one or more product grades
shown to be satisfactory for use in potable water treatment. Laboratory and field
studies should be carried out to determine the most economical and effective precoat
product or products for the specific site characteristics, such as water quality, filter
type, and allowable pressure buildup. Products deemed by other suppliers to be
equal should also be evaluated to enable competitive proposals.
Color
Perlite
Calcined
Flux Calcined
Pink
White
White
2.15
pH
Relative permeability
range, mL 100
18
928
335
810
125160
928
145450
412
65190
1718
270290
1622
250350
417
65270
37
612
Portion retained
on 150 mesh, percent
2.3
10
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
2.3
6.97.3
122
AWWA B101-94
Table 2 Typical chemical properties of precoat media used in water treatment (percent)
Diatomite
Calcined
Silica (SiO2)
8093
Perlite
Flux
Calcined
8095
Expanded
Grades
7077
Alumina (Al2O3)
45
4.04.2
1320
1.32
1.32
00.1
0.50.8
0.50.8
0.10.8
Magnesia (MgO)
0.30.75
0.60.75
00.2
Ignition loss
02.75
02.75
03.0
Moisture content
00.75
00.75
0.32.0
*Other compounds are oxides, such as potassium monoxide, sodium monoxide, sulphur trioxide, and titanium dioxide.
SECTION 5: VERIFICATION
Sec. 5.1 Sampling
Manufacturers or suppliers of filter media normally provide the details of the
chemical and physical properties of their products. If local regulatory agency or
water plant procedures require certification of the product quality, the filter-media
purchaser may choose from among several options. The purchaser may require written certification from the manufacturer or supplier that all material shipped meets
specifications (affidavit of compliance) or may require the filter-media supplier to
provide certificates of analysis on each shipment of filter media. Some manufacturers have statistical process control (SPC) systems in place, and would have no
problem providing SPC information with shipments. As a less desirable option, the
purchaser could sample each shipment and test the samples for density, porosity,
cleanliness, and/or any chemical content or solubility characteristics of concern to
his or her plant.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
5.2.2 Bulk densitydry (tap compaction test). This test procedure is described
in ASTM B527-85.
5.2.2.1 Apparatus.
1. Tap-Pak Volumeter,* dual autotap, or equivalent commercial unit with operating specifications as described in ASTM B527-85 and ASTM D4164-88,
paragraphs 2 and 4, respectively.
2. 250-mL graduated cylinder.
3. Digital electric or manual balance.
5.2.2.2 Quantity. Quantity of disposable medium to be evaluated (at least
15 g, per ASTM B527-85).
5.2.2.3 Procedure.
1. Place a weighed sample of 15 g into the 250-mL graduated cylinder. Set
the tap counter for 1,000 taps and start the device.
2. When the apparatus has stopped, read the volume of material in the cylinder in millilitres.
3. Calculate the tapped density in grams per millilitre by dividing 15 g by the
tapped volume read in step 2 above. This metric value may be converted to pounds
per cubic foot by multiplying by 62.4 (e.g., tapped volume from step 2 above = 45 mL,
15 g/45 mL = 0.33 g/mL, 0.33 g/mL x 62.4 = 20.6 lb/ft3).
5.2.3 Densitywet (centrifuge method). The comparison of wet density between similar products may be of assistance in selecting doses when running tests
and to determine the reproducibility of tests.
5.2.3.1 Procedure.
1. Place 1.0 g of media in 15 mL of water in a 15-mL centrifuge tube and
shake well. Spin at 3,000 rpm for 5 min.
2. The spun sample provides an easily read visual measurement of the relative volume of filter media solids per unit of weight. A slightly understated
approximation of wet compacted bulk density in pounds per cubic foot may be obtained by dividing the constant 62.4 by the centrifuge reading in millilitres per gram
(e.g., 62.4/3.1 mL/g DE = 20.1 lb/ft3 wet cake density).
5.2.4 Permeability. The permeability measurement procedure described in this
section may be used to predict the potential performance of alternative filter-media
products, or to confirm the uniformity of sequential shipments of the same media
product. These relative permeability readings are not absolute indicators of media
clarification capabilities nor of media-filter, cycle-length characteristics in the plant,
but the user may infer that significant differences in these test results may be used
to predict differences in filtrate clarity and/or filter cycle lengths.
5.2.4.1 Apparatus.
1. 500-mL graduated cylinder.
2. 1,000-mL graduated cylinder.
3. Electric timer.
4. Milligram balances (digital electric or manual).
5. 4-tube, 15-mL clinical centrifuge.
6. Bomb filter with air-pressure source, vessel temperature gauge, filter element, pressure gauge, and drain and control valves (see Figures 1 and 2).
*The Tap-Pak Volumeter model Jel ST2 is manufactured by J. Englesmann, A.G. of West
Germany. It is available through Shandon Southern Instruments Inc., Sewickley, Pa. The
Dual Autotap apparatus is manufactured by Quantachrome Corporation, 5 Aerial Way,
Syosset, NY 11791.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
AWWA B101-94
Quarter-turn
Quarter turnvalve
valvefor
Forfree
free
flow
flowofofwater
waterto
to beaker
beaker
Water out
cross-section
1/4-in. Cross-section
O-ring to
toseal
sealunit
unit
o-ring
8.00-in. ID
Thermometer
Air in
Air out
Level
17 1/4-in.
Welded stainless-steel
construction must be
watertight under pressure.
NOTE: To convert inches to millimetres, multiply by 25.4. To convert pounds per square inch to kilopascals, multiply
by 6.89.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
1 8 -in.
NPT
tap for tubing
1 3 4 -in. thread
1 16
1 4 -in.
diameter
through opening
4 in.
1 4 -in.
diameter as shown
Knurled surface
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
AWWA B101-94
5.2.6 pH.
5.2.6.1 Procedure.
1. Standardize the pH meter with National Bureau of Standards reference
material or equivalent.
2. Add a 10-g sample of filter medium to 200 mL of warm 32C (90F) distilled or deionized water, freshly boiled to remove carbon dioxide, and shake for 1 min.
Filter and cool to 25C (77F).
3. Read and report pH with the standardized meter.
SECTION 6: DELIVERY
Sec. 6.1 Marking
6.1.1 Required. Each shipment of precoat filter media shall be identified as to
product, grade, net weight, name and address of manufacturer, and brand name.
Packages or containers shall show a lot number and identification of manufacturer.
All markings on packaged, containerized, or bulk shipments shall conform to applicable laws and regulations, including requirements established by US,* Canadian,
or Mexican authorities.
6.1.2 Optional. Each package, drum, or other container of material may also
bear the statement, This material meets the requirements of AWWA B101, Standard
for Precoat Filter Media, provided that the requirements of this standard are met
and the material is not of a different quality in separate agreement between the
supplier or constructor, and purchaser.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
should investigate and use the most advantageous of the several container options
that may be available through the (filter media) supplier.
6.2.3 Bulk. When bulk shipment is specified, shipment shall be made in clean
trucks having tight closures to avoid loss and provisions for covering to prevent
contamination.
6.2.4 Shipment notice. The supplier shall notify the constructor or purchaser
of the shipment date with specified lead time and if required shall provide a product
affidavit of compliance.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
APPENDIX A
Bibliography
This appendix is for information only and is not a part of AWWA B101.
American Filtration Society. 1990. Advances in Filtration and Separation Technology, Volume 1.
. Fluid/Particle Separation Journal (current issues).
American Water Works Association. 1988. AWWA Manual M30, Precoat Filtration.
Denver, Colo.: AWWA.
Eagle-Picher Minerals Inc. Celatom Filtration with Diatomite Filter Aids. Filtration
Brochure, Form A50.
Filtered Aid Application Procedures for Pressure Leaf Filters. Harborlite Technical
Bulletins.
Grefco Inc., Dicalite Div. Filtration Bulletin B-16.
Kadey, F.L. Jr. 1975. Diatomite. Industrial Minerals and Rocks. 4th ed.
Logsdon, G.S., J.M. Symons, R.L. Hoye Jr., and M.M. Arozarena. 1981. Alternative
Filtration Methods for Removal of Giardia Cysts and Cyst Models. Jour.
AWWA, 73(2):111.
Manville Filtration. Celite Filter Aids for Maximum Clarity at Lowest Cost, FA-84A.
Military Standard MIL-F52637A(ME), Sec. 3.4, page 2, Index Value.
Patterson, J.W. 1985. Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technology. 2nd ed.
Ris, J.L.; I.A. Cooper; and W.R. Goddard. 1984. Pilot Testing and Predesign of Two
Water Treatment Processes for Removal of Giardia Lamblia in Palisade, Colo.
In Proc. 1984 AWWA Annual Conference. Denver, Colo.: AWWA.
Svarovsky, L. 1981. Solid-Liquid Separation. 2nd ed.
Task Group 2710P. 1965. Diatomite Filters for Municipal Use. Jour. AWWA,
57(2):157.
Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological
Exposure Indices (1990-91 or current year). ACGIH.
U.S. Army. 1944. Report Project WSS 346. Efficiency of Standard Army Water Purification Equipment and of Diatomite Filters in Removing CYSTS of Entamoeba
Histolytica from Water.
Van Arnam, D.G., and M.J. Dent. 1989. Diatomaceous Earth Water Filtration.
Water/Engineering & Management. (October 1989.)
11
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
2P-1.5M-42101-7/96-RM
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.