skysil filtration media

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Chalcedonite is a mineral of organic origin, mined in the open-pit mine in Inowłódz. Thanks to its origin (skeletons of organisms living in shallow seas in the Jurassic era), chalcedonite contains silica with a highly developed pore system.

Chalcedonite, after appropriate treatment, becomes a basis for the production of effective filtration materials, and its physical properties (high porosity) and chemical composition (SiO2>97%) predispose it to be used in drinking water treatment technology.

A number of technological challenges are encountered in water treatment processes that sometimes cause sleepless nights for designers, contractors and operators of Water Treatment Plants.
Each of the bed variants has distinctive properties, which translate into a superior effectiveness in a given application.

Application of SkySil chalcedonite filter media

SkySil Fe Ammonio SkySil Fe SkySil Mn
Reducing Fe
Reducing Mn
Reducing NH4+
Suspended solids filtration
Increasing water plant capacity
Improving work safety and stability
Reduction of flushing water flow
Intended use Water treatment plants Water treatment plants Domestic water treatment plants
pory chalcedonit

The most important characteristic of chalcedonite is its porosity, which can reach up to 30%. Thanks to this quality, beneficial micro-organisms can grow in the filtration media and play a key role in removing contaminants such as manganese and ammonium ion from the water. Numerous studies confirm that the process of manganese reduction begins right in the pores of the filter media.

Alongside the high porosity, there are other technological advantages associated with the use of chalcedonite, such as efficiency in the removal of mechanical impurities, extension of filtration cycles or the possibility of using higher filtration rates. All these unique physicochemical properties are the source of numerous advantages over quartz sand.

The use of the SkySil chalcedonite filter media in many waterworks in Poland has yielded positive results, especially in smaller rural facilities that often face technological problems.

PARAMETER SkySil UNIT
SkySil Fe Ammonio SkySil Fe SkySil Mn
Iron removal potential ≤ 20 ≤ 20 ≤ 15 mg Fe/dm3
Manganese removal potential ≤ 1,5* ≤ 1,5* ≤ 5,0 mg Mn/dm3
Ammonium ion removal potential ≤ 2,0* ≤ 2,0** ≤ 2,0** mg NH4+/dm3

* after prior natural development
t = 20÷40 dni

** after prior natural development
t + 50%

Key benefits of the SkySil filter bed:

  • Lower de-gelatinisation zone – up to 30% compared to quartz sand.
  • High iron removal efficiency – (up to 98%).
  • High mass capacity – extending filtration cycles and reducing flushing costs by up to 30%.
  • High filtration velocities – up to 20 m/h.
  • Favourable hydraulic characteristics – low filter bed resistance allows to reduce system operating pressure.
  • High porosity – ideal conditions for colonisation of manganese and nitrifying bacteria.

    … which saves a significant portion of the funds allocated for the construction or modernisation of water treatment plants, as well as the world’s most precious raw material – water.

As part of our free technology consultation, we provide:

Skysil Fe Ammonio

SkySil Fe Ammonio

The SkySil Fe Ammonio filtration media is natural chalcedonite, which has been used in water treatment technology for many years. Due to its developed pore system, the filtration media provides an excellent substrate for the formation of a biological membrane that metabolises ammonium ion. The development of the biofilm inside the pores prevents it from being completely destroyed during the washing process.

An important characteristic of the SkySil Fe Ammonio filtration media is its high mass capacity enabling simultaneous removal of iron and other suspended solids.

Under suitable filtration conditions, the filtration bed in the lower layers of the filter acquires the ability to reduce manganese.

Parameter Value Unit
Granulation 0,8 – 2,0 mm
Bulk density 0,85 – 0,95 kg/dm3
Specific density 2,62 – 2,67 kg/dm3
Grain porosity ≤ 30 %
Specific surface area 4,5 - 6 m2/g
Homogeneity coefficient ≤ 1,5 -
Ingridient content [%]
SiO2 97,7 – 98,9
Al2O3, MgO, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O < 2,0
Organic components < 0,05
Parameter Value Unit
Filtration rate ≤ 15 m/h
Iron removal potential ≤ 20 mg Fe/dm3
Manganese removal potential ≤ 1,5* mg Mn/dm3
Ammonium ion removal potential ≤ 2,0* mg NH4+/dm3
Water pH range 6,5 – 9,5 -
Space above the filter bed 40 %
Air rinse speed 13 – 17 L/s·m2
Water rinse speed 12 – 15 L/s·m2
Filter bed expansion 25 %

* after prior natural development

SkySil Fe Ammonio is characterised by the following properties, which distinguish it from the filtration beds present on the market: 

Skysil-Fe

SkySil Fe

SkySil Fe is a lightweight porous cryptocrystalline silica bed with increased mass capacity for suspended solids, which is produced by processing natural chalcedonite.

The unique pore structure allows for impressive iron reduction and suspended solids filtration results.

Thanks to its low bulk density, the SkySil bed allows significant savings in rinse water, optimising water treatment processes.

Parameter Value Unit
Granulation 0,6 – 1,2
1,1 – 2,0
mm
Bulk density 0,9 – 1,1 kg/dm3
Specific density 2,62 – 2,65 kg/dm3
Grain porosity ≤ 20 %
Specific surface area 4,5 – 5,0 m2/g
Homogeneity coefficient ≤ 1,5 -
Ingridient Content [%]
SiO2 97,7 – 98,9
Al2O3, MgO, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O < 2,0
Organic components < 0,05
Parameter 0,6 - 1,2 1,1 - 2,0 Unit
Filtration rate ≤ 15 m/h
Iron removal potential ≤ 20 mg Fe/dm3
Manganese removal potential ≤ 1,5* mg Mn/dm3
Ammonium ion removal potential ≤ 2,0* mg NH4+/dm3
Space above the filter bed 40 %
Air rinse speed 8,5 – 13 11 – 17 L/s·m2
Water rinse speed 7,5 – 12 10 – 15 L/s·m2
Filter bed expansion 25 %

* after prior natural development

The chalcedonite filter bed SkySil Fe is characterised by the following properties, which distinguish it from current deposits on the market:

Skysil

SkySil Mn

SkySil Mn is a high-performance filter bed for manganese removal that combines the natural porosity and grain shape of chalcedonite with manganese oxide in the form of Birnessite. The structure and structure of Birnessite means that it readily enters into redox reactions and exhibits a high adsorptive capacity towards manganese providing suitable conditions for further autocatalytic oxidation.

The production process developed at Crusil enables the chalcedonite aggregate to be thoroughly coated with a layer of manganese, so that an immediate manganese reduction effect can be achieved immediately after start-up.

The low bulk density of the SkySil Mn bed (1.0 – 1.1 Mg/m3) enables a proper washing process even at limited pressure and eliminates the risk of clumping and dead zones.

Parameter value unit
Granulation 0,6 – 1,2 mm
Bulk density 1,0 – 1,1 kg/dm3
Specific density 2,7 – 2,8 kg/dm3
Grain porosity ≤ 15 %
Specific surface area 3,0 – 3,5 m2/g
Homogeneity coefficienti ≤ 1,6 -
Ingridient Content [%]
SiO2 91,4 – 97,7
Al2O3, MgO, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O < 6,0
Manganese oxides coating the grains 2,1 – 3,4
Organic components < 0,05
Parameter Value Unit
Filtration rate ≤ 15 m/h
Iron removal potential ≤ 15 mg Fe/dm3
Manganese removal potential ≤ 5,0 mg Mn/dm3
Ammonium ion removal potential ≤ 2,0* mg NH4+/dm3
Water pH range 6,5 – 9,5 -
Space above the filter bed 40 %
Air rinse speed 13 – 17 L/s·m2
Water rinse speed 12 – 15 L/s·m2
Filter bed expansion 25 %

* after prior natural development

The chalcedonite filter bed SkySil Mn is characterised by the following properties, which distinguish it from current deposits on the market: