Understanding Filter Efficiency – Virus Removal in Depth Filtration

Potable water production requires an efficient and cost-effective technology of drinking water treatment. Depth filters based on diatomaceous earth (DE) are widely used for bacteria removal. Bacteria are unable to penetrate the pores of a microporous DE filter, whereas the 10 times smaller viruses can easily pass the filter and harm the consumer. These contaminants can only be completely removed by electrostatic attraction of the virus on the filter pore surface. This application note demonstrates efficient virus removal using the SurPASS 3 system from Anton Paar.