20" Block Carbon Cartridge Aquapro, ref. PR-APC-20

20" block carbon cartridge

Compact activated carbon cartridge in standard 20" format. Dimensions Ø 68 mm x H 508 mm. The media is an extruded block, traversed by water across its entire thickness.

Aquapro reference PR-APC-20.

Block carbon: two actions in one stage

Block carbon combines two mechanisms that granular carbon does not unite:

Adsorption. Activated carbon retains free chlorine, chlorination by-products and organic compounds responsible for tastes and odours.

Mechanical filtration. The compacted structure of the block constitutes a porous media with a defined threshold, which retains fine particles in addition to adsorbed molecules.

The block is not a bed of loose grains: water cannot bypass the media through a preferential path, which provides consistent contact time throughout the cartridge's service life.

Block and granular

• Block carbon (CTO): adsorption plus fine mechanical filtration, higher pressure drop, no flow channelling
• Granular carbon (GAC): adsorption only, low pressure drop, high flow rate

Choose block when you want taste and mechanical finishing on the same stage. Choose granular when flow rate is paramount and a pre-filter already ensures mechanical retention.

20" format: capacity and service life

The 20" doubles the media height compared to a 10", at equal diameter. Consequences:

• adsorption capacity doubled, so longer service life at equal consumption
• larger filtering surface, so lower pressure drop at equal flow rate
• higher allowable flow rate

The 20" is intended for high-demand installations: house entry point, tertiary, hospitality, laboratories, workshops. On a domestic line with low consumption, a 10" is sufficient and the 20" represents oversizing.

Media action

Reduces free chlorine, chlorination by-products, organic compounds responsible for tastes and odours, and retains fine particles according to the block's threshold.

Does not act on water hardness or dissolved mineral salts, which pass through the media.

Upstream pre-filtration

The block provides mechanical filtration, but is not designed to handle the particle load of unfiltered water. Water laden with sand or rust clogs the inlet face and causes premature flow loss, before carbon saturation.

An upstream sediment pre-filter is necessary, at a threshold suited to the water: 5 microns on mains water, more open on heavily laden water.

Initial rinsing

On first commissioning, let water run to drain for several minutes. New carbon releases black fines and produces greyish water on first pass.

Replacement

Two criteria, in this order:

• Flow loss: the inlet face of the block is clogged
• Return of chlorine taste: the carbon is saturated

Indicative frequency of 6 to 12 months, to be adjusted according to the volume treated and the chlorine content of the mains. On a high-demand installation, frequency is calculated by volume rather than by months.

Installation

Standard 20" format, for 20" single-body filter housings. Respect the direction of flow, check the presence and condition of the housing O-ring seal, tighten with a wrench without forcing and purge air before returning to service.

An upstream isolation valve avoids a general shutdown at each replacement.