3-stage inline cartridge 2" sediments polyphosphates activated carbon Aquapro, ref. PR-AIT-2

3-stage inline cartridge, diameter 2"

Monobloc inline format cartridge, diameter 2", inlet and outlet 1/4". It combines three media in series within a single body:

• Sediments: mechanical retention of suspended particles
• Polyphosphates: scale sequestration
• Activated carbon: reduction of chlorine, tastes and odours

Aquapro reference PR-AIT-2.

The three stages, in order of flow

The sediment stage stops solid particles: sand, silt, rust particles, pipe residues. It protects the two following stages from clogging.

The polyphosphate stage continuously releases a low dose of food-grade polyphosphates into the water. These molecules bind to calcium and magnesium ions and keep them in solution, which limits the formation of adherent scale on hot surfaces.

The activated carbon stage retains by adsorption free chlorine and organic compounds responsible for tastes and odours.

Sequestration, not softening

Important technical point: polyphosphates do not remove water hardness. The TH at outlet remains identical to the TH at inlet.

The mechanism is sequestration: ions responsible for hardness are kept in suspension instead of crystallising into adherent deposits. Scale forms less easily on heating elements and hot surfaces, but the water is not softened.

For actual hardness reduction, an ion exchange resin softener is required.

Applications

The 3-stage inline format is intended for appliances requiring complete treatment in a compact footprint:

• professional and automatic coffee machines
• ice machines
• water coolers and beverage dispensers
• steam ovens
• point-of-use filtration in limited space

The advantage of the monobloc is space saving and simplicity of maintenance: a single replacement instead of three cartridges and three filter housings.

2" inline format

Sealed monobloc body. It mounts directly on the tube, without filter housing, without tank and without service key. No tank seal to check. The body is not openable: media cannot be replaced separately.

Diameter 2", not to be confused with 2.5" inline cartridges. The fixing clips are different.

1/4" connection

Inlet and outlet in 1/4". Imperial 1/4" and metric 6 mm are not interchangeable.

Replacement

Replacement is based on two criteria, because the three media do not consume at the same rate:

• Flow loss: the sediment stage is clogged
• Return of chlorine taste: the carbon is saturated
• Reappearance of scale on the appliance: the polyphosphates are depleted

The first of the three signals triggers replacement. Indicative periodicity of 6 months, to be adjusted according to treated volume, water hardness and appliance usage intensity.

On a professional appliance in continuous service, the periodicity is significantly shorter.

Installation

Respect the direction of flow indicated on the body: the order of media is fixed and reversed installation causes water to pass through the carbon before the pre-filter.

Cut the tube straight with a tube cutter, insert fully into each fitting, check locking by pulling on the tube. Secure the cartridge with a 2" clip so it does not rest on its fittings.

Rinse for several minutes at first commissioning, to flush out carbon fines and stabilise polyphosphate dosing.