How Pumice Stone Helps Remove Contaminants from Water

Yes, Earth is 70% water, but that doesn’t make it the best place to live, especially when considering the presence of salt water. Clean water is essential, even if you don’t just drink it. In recent times, the demand for effective, low-cost, and sustainable water treatment technologies has increased. Side by side, pumice stone for heavy metal removal from water has also emerged as a valuable natural material for filtration. Its porous structure makes it perfect for removing various contaminants, whether it’s heavy metals or suspended solids. This is good for both residential and industrial use. But what is it, and what makes it an innovative solution?

Keep reading to learn more about it with Keiken Engineering. 

What is it, and how does Pumice Stone work?

Well, simply put, Pumice is a lightweight, porous volcanic rock. It’s formed when lava rich in gas cools rapidly and is known for its abrasiveness in personal care and cleaning. But this component, the pumice filter, turned out to be a game changer in water treatment.

Now, a pumice filter refers to a filtration efficiency of pumice in wastewater treatment, where pumice granules are used as the primary filtering medium. It has high porosity and rough surface texture, which acts like a sponge, capturing contaminants from water as it passes through. Apart from that, it has a high surface area for microbial growth and adsorption, is naturally lightweight, reduces system load, and is chemically inert, which makes it safe for various applications. And the best part? It’s really affordable and reusable. Which means you can say goodbye to synthetic alternatives. 

(Also read from our previous blogs: A Natural Solution for Clean Water Needs with Pumice Stone)

How Does Pumice Filter Media Work?

This works under three main mechanisms:

• Mechanical Filtration
  As we mentioned, it has pores. The porous structure traps particles and suspended solids. So when water flows through the pumice bed, big and small particles are physically blocked, reducing water clarity.
• Adsorption
  Pumice stone can adsorb heavy metals, organic matter, and ammonia compounds. This is because of its surface chemistry and porosity. You can say it’s a good alternative to activated carbon.
• Biological Treatment
  Finally, the Pumice stone is a suitable medium for microbial colonies to form. These microbes biodegrade organic matter. This, in turn, enhances overall water purification, especially in biological trickling filters.

Which industries can use pumice stone?

The following industries can use it:

• Municipal Water Treatment
  Works excellently for municipal water treatment. Used in sand-pumice filtration beds to reduce turbidity, it also suspends solids and pathogens, making water cleaner.
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment
  Pumice stone not only removes heavy metals but also oils, grease, and other hazardous pollutants in manufacturing or mining units.
• Food & Beverage Industry
  In almost every food and beverage industry, pre-treatment of water used in processing involves removing organic contaminants and bacteria.
• Agriculture and Irrigation
  Pumice stone filters recycled irrigation water by removing fertiliser residues and suspended particles in farming and agricultural departments.

What are the benefits of Pumice Stone?

There are multiple benefits of pumice stones for water filtration. The following are some of them: 

• It removes heavy metals efficiently.
  The Pumice stone adsorbs heavy metals like lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium. Doing so makes the water drinkable and safer for residential and industrial uses. 
• Clears Water
  Pumice stone is good at removing dirt, dust, tiny particles. This will clear the water, making it look and feel cleaner for use.
• Removes Organic Waste
  This stone will clean out grease, oil, leftover food particles, and other waste from water. It will help the microbes to break down, making the water safe.
• Saves Money
  As we mentioned earlier, pumice is cheaper than other filter materials, including activated carbon. Plus, it lasts longer, can be cleaned and reused, so you don’t have to replace it often.
• Fast Flow
  Water flows fast through pumice, so you can treat more water in less time without clogging.
• Environment-Friendly
  Finally, it’s a natural and safe option when you want to purify water without harming the environment. The best part? It can be used many times before it’s of no use anymore.

Bottom Line

Pumice stone for water filtration is the best choice for industries looking to filter water without incurring unnecessary costs. This is a cheaper, yet long-lasting option when compared to activated carbon. So, whether you need it for a manufacturing plant or to manage wastewater, Keiken Engineering’s pumice stone is the best choice. 

Need help in making a bulk order? Get in touch with us here.