The FILOS 45 (for city / municipal water) and 45W (for well water) technology incorporates KDF®55 as well as KDF®85, a media made of a patented, high purity alloy of copper and zinc.

KDF®55 media eliminates contaminants from water by utilizing the principle of electrochemical oxidation-reduction, known as "redox". It was designed specifically for removing or reducing chlorine and water-soluble heavy metals including chlorinated hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, iron, and metals like lead, arsenic, aluminum, mercury and cadmium. It controls scale, bacteria and algae, even in hot water.

KDF®85 removes or reduces iron and hydrogen sulfide from municipal or other water supplies. It also controls scale, bacteria and algae.

Combined, KDF® 55 and KDF® 85 Process Media can remove up to 99% of water-soluble lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, and other dissolved metals. All KDF® Process Media forms are effective in controlling the buildup of bacteria, algae, fungi and scale, making them ideal for use in GAC beds, ion exchange resins, carbon block filters and inline carbon filters.

Redox is the principle of opposites at work. Some atoms are positively charged and are attracted to the negative charge of the zinc. Others are negatively charged and attracted to the positive charge of the copper. Electrons are transferred away from some substances causing them to be oxidized. The element that keeps the electron is said to be reduced.

As water containing dissolved substances enters a bed of high purity copper-zinc granules, copper becomes a cathode and zinc an anode. The tiny space between each granule becomes an electrolytic cell, with the water and its contents acting as the electrolyte. As contaminants and oxygen pass through, heavy metals plate out on the surface of the granules. Chlorine and the disinfect ion by-products it creates are turned into harmless chloride ions and ozone. In the process, copper and zinc chelates are produced that are important nutrients for the human body. One of the most important benefits of treating water with the KDF® in our technology is that as the water passes through the media, it takes on a load of excess electrons thus improving its redox potential.

To view a picture of this process, please download the .pdf file: Understanding KDF and GAC Media.