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AFT FAQ’s

 Antunes Filtration Technologies Products

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

Questions



  1. Does an AFT system improve water taste?
  1. Does an AFT system filter out sediment or must a separate strainer for sediment be installed?
  1. Will an AFT system operate in a gravity fed system?
  1. Will an AFT system make water safe to drink from a residential home & no longer require boiling the water?
  1. What is an AFT system’s minimum operating input water pressure?
  1. How often will an AFT filter require replacement?
  1. Is an AFT system a whole house system or strictly for drinking areas?
  1. Specifically where should an AFT system be installed into an existing water supply?
  1. Does an AFT system reduce/eliminate calcium/mineral buildup in residential piping & fixtures?
  1. Does an AFT system eliminate the need for an existing water softening system?
  1. Does an AFT system convert dark dirty water & make it clear?
  1. Can one transfer existing water from a nearby well, pond, lake, river, or creek, via a centrifugal pump into an AFT system and still be drinkable?
  1. Does an AFT system perform like an “RO” system? If so, does it outperform an “RO” system?
  1. Does an AFT system remove lead, chlorine, & others?
  1. How effective is an AFT system?
  1. What is the benefit of installing an AFT system into a residential location?
  1. In residential applications, must one replace old galvanized piping located after an AFT system that may contain crud from years of accumulation?
  1. In residential applications, does one benefit with bathing in water produced by an AFT system?
  1. Do I have to keep the filter system from freezing?
  1. How do I store the filter if it won’t be used for a while?
  1. What do I have to protect the filter from?


Answers



Answer 1
AFT systems remove particles, cysts, bacteria, and viruses.  If the water has a bad taste due to any of these contaminants, then an AFT system will improve the taste.  An AFT system will not remove chemicals like chlorine that can make water taste bad.  Other filters are designed for those specific problems.  An AFT system installed ahead of one of those other filters will make the other filter last longer or work better.


Answer 2
An AFT system will filter out sediment.  To protect the AFT membrane from unusually high sediment, an optional sediment strainer is recommended ahead of the AFT system.


Answer 3
It depends.  One foot of water head pressure is about 0.43 psi.  That means a water tank 10 feet above the filter system would provide a pressure of about 4 psi at the inlet to the filter system.  The flow rate through the filter system would be very slow.  Larger filter systems would be required for higher flow rates on low pressure systems.


Answer 4
Public health codes must be followed to ensure that the water is drinkable.  An AFT system can help play a part in meeting these code requirements.


Answer 5
A typical minimum water pressure of 20 psi is recommended, depending on the flow rate needed and the system selected.


Answer 6
AFT filters, if properly installed and maintained per guidelines, should last for years of operation before requiring replacement.


Answer 7
Both; different AFT systems are designed for different uses.  There are systems for whole-house filtration, and smaller systems for drinking and cooking uses.


Answer 8
Different AFT systems are designed for specific tasks.

One location to install an AFT system is on the pipe as it enters the house.  This is called point-of-entry (P.O.E.).  Installed in this location, the filter system will not only filter water that is going to be consumed (drinking and cooking), but will also filter water that goes into showers, clothes and dish washing, toilet flushing, and possibly lawn, garden, and car washing.  This means that more water will go through the filter system, and the filter system must be large enough to handle the water needs.

Another location to install an AFT system is on water that is only going to be consumed (drinking and cooking), as the last component before a faucet.  This is called point-of-use (P.O.U.).  This will prolong the life of the filter, since only that portion of water that is consumed is filtered. 

The P.O.E. installation will give you the benefits of ultra-filtered water at every faucet, as compared to the P.O.U. installation that treats only one faucet.

Other uses and locations for an AFT system include industrial or process water filtration.  These specific needs must be carefully evaluated for suitability with the filter system.  Consult Technical Service for more information. 
 

Answer 9
Not directly.  An AFT system will not remove the minerals in the water.  But an AFT system may help reduce the amount of buildup by reducing the small particles of dirt that act as ‘seeds’ around which minerals tend to build up on.


Answer 10
No.  An AFT system will not remove hardness minerals that a softener removes.  But an AFT system used in conjunction with a softener will improve the performance of the softener.


Answer 11
An AFT system will remove particles (turbidity) that cause the water to be dark and dirty.  AFT systems will not remove chemicals that may contribute to discoloration of water.


Answer 12
Public health codes must be followed to ensure that the water is drinkable.  An AFT system can help play a part in meeting these code requirements.


Answer 13
RO systems have a pore size of around 0.001 micron or less.  An RO membrane will remove atom-sized particles such as dissolved salts and minerals.  AFT systems are called Ultrafiltration systems.  The pore size of an AFT system is around 0.01 micron.  This is the size of most bacteria and virus.


While an RO system will reduce smaller particles, the flow rate of water that goes through an RO membrane is limited.  Typically an RO system is a slow and steady process that requires a storage tank to hold filtered water.  An AFT system has a less restrictive flow rate requirement, and does not need a storage tank.  It filters water immediately when you need it.

An AFT system does not filter out the dissolved minerals.  It leaves the minerals in the water while reducing health-related components like cyst, bacteria and virus.   

Answer 14
The membrane in an AFT system is like a screen with tiny openings.  Particles larger than the openings are blocked and removed by the membrane, while particles smaller than the openings pass through and are not removed by the membrane.  Dissolved minerals (ions) are smaller than the pores of the membrane, and pass through.  If the lead is dissolved, it will not be removed by the membrane.  Chlorine and other chemical molecules smaller than the pores pass through and are not removed.  There are other technologies available to remove specific contaminants.  These specific technologies can work better or last longer when used with an AFT system.


Answer 15
Few things in life are 100% effective.  But an AFT system, operated within the recommended guidelines, is extremely effective in reducing particulate matter, bacteria, and viruses. Our NSF listed Models, UFL-420 and UFL-440, have been certified to NSF Standard 53 for both Cyst Reduction and Turbidity Reduction, and to NSF Standard 42 for Nominal Particulate Reduction, Class 1. 


Answer 16
One of the benefits is cleaner, healthier water for your family.  You also get peace of mind knowing that your water is protected from unknown hazards that may exist.


Answer 17
No.  Pipes that have been in place do not have to be removed.  They need to be flushed and sanitized to ensure the best quality water.


Answer 18
Yes, one will benefit from bathing with AFT water by bathing with cleaner water.


 Answer 19
Yes. If the filter freezes, the membrane may become damaged and the filter will not operate             properly.


Answer 20
Keep it wet, in a cool dark place; keep it from freezing.  Follow storage guidelines from technical service.


Answer 21

·        Protect from becoming dry

If the membrane dries out, irreversible damage to the membrane may result.  Protect the filter from becoming dry by keeping it wet and sealed at all times.

 

·        Protect from freezing

If the membrane freezes during operation or storage, irreversible damage to the membrane and brittle cracking of the cartridge or housing may result.

 

·        Protect from direct sunlight or other UV sources

Avoid long-term exposure to direct sunlight or other UV sources.  The filter should be stored in a dark spot.

 

·        Protect from high temperatures or abrupt variation in temperature

The maximum operating temperature is 100oF (40oC).  Avoid abrupt variations in temperature.  Any temperature variation should be made slowly.

 

·        Protect from organic solvents and concentrated acids

Prevent any and all contact of the membrane with strong solvents, solvents containing chlorine, or concentrated acids.  Do not use strong solvents or concentrated acids on any plastic parts of the filter system.  Examples of some solvents to avoid: acetone, methyl acetate (nail polish remover); hexane (spot removers); turpentine, toluene (paint thinners); dry cleaning solutions.

 

·        Protect from abrasive material

The membranes must be protected from abrasive materials like shavings left in a pipe.  Abrasive materials in contact with the membrane can cause irreversible damage to the membrane.  All pipes must be flushed clean before installing the filter.  All plastic parts of the filter system must be protected from sharp objects like knives, sand paper or other tools.  Cutting or nicking a plastic part can weaken it and cause a leak.  Do not use abrasive cleansers on any plastic parts.

 

·        Protect from rough handling or dropping

Mechanical damage, external breakage, and/or internal breakage of the filter can result if the system is dropped or bumped.  Handle with care at all times during transportation and installation.

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