FINAL REPORT -Spectrum Labs Inc.

DOULTON UNDERCOUNTER DRINKING WATER SYSTEM
WITH SINGLE ULTRACARB (CU1200) CERAMIC CANDLE
Chlorine Reduction

Report Number - 0561AU-010694 - revision 1

to: Mr. Anthony Frost, Doulton Water Care, Filleybrooks, Stone, Staffordshire, ST150PU
from: Spectrum Labs Inc., 301 West County Road E2, New Brighton, MN 55112

November 15, 1994

original signed by:
Sandra L. Games (15/11/94) and Margeret L. Bicking (22/11/94)

Introduction
Doulton Water Care has developed a proprietary drinking water treatment system that utilizes a radial flow activated carbon block filter cartridge in conjunction with a ceramic candle to remove specific contaminants from drinking water. This product is designed for long life filration and is available directy through Doulton Water Care to distributors and retailers of point of use (POU) home water filtration systems.

The use of activated carbon block filter cartridges incorporating proven sorbent technology is becoming more prevalent in the design and development of drinking water treatment devices as manufacturers seek to combine the contaminant reduction capabilities of both organics and heavy metal removal technology. Ceramic filter cartridges are commonly used for the removal of harmful bacteria and cysts. Each technology has been established as an effective means for specific contaminant reduction under defined operating conditions.

Reliable information on contaminant removal capabilities is important in marketing this product to potential distributors and to the general public. Furthermore, several states have now implemented regulations which govern the sale and marketing of residential water treatment systems. Therefore, it is now necessary to have verification of contaminant reduction claims by a state certified independent third-party laboratory, using an approved protocol. Spectrum Labs, Inc. is pleased to provide this laboratory report as the result of an independent evaluation of the Doulton HIF undercounter drinking water treatment system containing an Ultracarb filter cartridge (CU1200) for chlorine reduction

Experimental Section

Selection of Analytes and Spiking levels

The Doulton HIF undercounter drinking water treatment system containing an Ultracarb filter cartridge was evaluated for chlorine reduction in accordance with test protocol contained in NSF International Standard Number 42. "Drinking Water Treatment Units/Aesthetic Effects." Appendix B, "Chemical Unit Test Methods." Section I, "Procedure - Plumbed-In Units and Faucet Mounted Taste, Odor and Chlorine Reduction Units Without Reservoir," revised June 1988. Influent challenge waters for the chlorine reduction evaluation were prepared with an influent free available chlorine (FAC) target spike level of 2.0 mg/L (2.0 ppm).

Influent and effluent samples were analyzed for chlorine using Standard Method for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th Edition, Method Number 4500CL F which is a DPD titration method. The corresponding Method Detection Limit (MDL) and Target Spike Level for this analyre are provided in Table 1.

Analyte Selection for Contaminant Reduction Studies

Table 1
Analyte Standard
Method		 Method
Detection
Limit (mg/L)		 EPA MCL
Level
(mg/L)		 Target
Spike Level
(mg/L)
Chlorine 4500CL F 0.01 N/A 2.0

Experimental Design

The experimental and mechanical system design for the chlorine reduction evaluation was based on test protocol contained in NSF Standard Number 42. This design allows for the uninterrupted testing of two identical units simultaneously. A mechanical test system plumbed entirely of Teflon was used for this experiment. The use orf Teflon provides a chemically inert system which eliminates any corrosion or leaching of system components which may add unwanted contaminants to the challenge test water. All influent samples were taken immediately prior to the test units to demonstrate that the mechanical test system had no effect on the water characteristics or on the concentration or' the challenge analyre.

Test units were installed, conditioned and operated according to the manufactumr's instructions. Pressure gauges and flow meters were installed appropriately to allow documentation of system operation. Spiked challenge water was prepared in 525 gallon lots by adding known volumes of sodium hypochlorite to attain an influent target spike level of 2.0 mg/L FAC. A total of 600 gallons of spiked challenge water was passed through each test unit using an operating cycle of 50 percent on, 50 percent off with a 15 minute cycle during periods of system operation which did not exceed more than 16 hours per day. The initial flow rate from each unit was measured at approximately 0.5 GPM using a constant inlet static pressure of 60 PSIG.

Table 2 provides a summary of the system operation and sampling sequence for the Doulton HIF undercounter drinking water treatment system with Ultracarb. Characteristics of the influent challenge water (control) and combined effluent from the two test units at the start-up of the test and at 100 percent of capacity are presented in Table 3.

 

Table 2 Sample and Analyze

Comments
Percent of
Capacity		 Volume Influent
Gallons		 Influent Effluent
Initial 10 Unit Volumes X X Start System
10 60 X X .
20 120 X X .
30 180 X X .
40 240 X X .
50 300 X X .
60 360 X X .
70 420 X X .
80 480 X X .
90 540 X X .
100 600 X X End Test
Note: Refer to NSF Standard 42. Appendix B, pages B5 and B6 for specific test protocol details.
Table 3 Influent and Effluent Water Characteristics
Parameter Influent
Control
Start-up		 Combined
Effluent
Start-up		 Influent
Control
100% Capacity		 Combined
Effluent
100% Capacity
pH 6.3 6.5 6.3 6.2
TDS 230mg/L 285mg/L 265mg/L 273mg/L
Tempurature 24C 23C 22C 21C
Turbidity 0.2 NTU 0.2 NTU 0.2 NTU 0.3 NTU


Chlorine Reduction Results

The results of laboratory analysis for the chlorine reduction evaluation are summarized in Tables 4 and 5. The influent data depict the reproducibility of the spiking level and analytical methodology for this analyre. Analyre data points which were below the MDL are labeled with a less than sign "<" and the actual MDL. Effluent chlorine levels less than 0.09 mg/L, were observed in all samples collected from the two identical test units up until the time testing was discontinued at 600 gallons. The percent contaminant reduction was calculated for each of the influent/effluent pairs and is tabulated in Tables 4 and 5. Where effluent chlorine levels were below the MDL, the MDL was used to calculate the reduction percentage. These values are simply given as a greater than sign ">" and the actual calculated percentage.

 

Table 4 Test Unit 1
Chlorine Reduction Studies with Ultracarb
Volume
Influent
Gallons		 Influent
Sample
Number		 Influent
Lead Level
mg/L		 Effluent
Sample
Number		 Effluent
Lead Level
mg/L		 Percent
Reduction		 Flow
Rate
(gpm)
Initial 9312046742 1.96 9312046743 <0.01 >99 0.50
60 9312046745 2.24 9312046746 <0.01 >99 0.55
120 9312046748 2.14 9312046749 <0.01 >99 0.57
180 9312046751 1.96 9312046752 <0.01 >99 0.58
240 9312046754 1.97 9312046755 0.08 96 0.55
300 9312046757 1.91 9312046758 0.02 99 0.55
360 9312046760 1.93 9312046761 0.05 97 0.55
420 9312046763 1.93 9312046764 0.01 99 0.56
480 9312046766 1.94 9312046767 0.03 98 0.55
540 9312046769 1.87 9312046770 0.06 97 0.55
600 9312046772 1.87 9312046773 0.03 98 0.55
Table 5 Test Unit 2
Initial 9312046742 1.96 9312046744 <0.01 >99 0.48
60 9312046745 2.24 9312046747 <0.01 >99 0.40
120 9312046748 2.14 9312046750 0.02 99 0.45
180 9312046751 1.96 9312046753 0.08 96 0.44
240 9312046754 1.97 9312046756 0.04 98 0.45
300 9312046757 1.91 9312046759 0.07 96 0.45
360 9312046760 1.93 9312046762 0.04 98 0.40
420 9312046763 1.93 9312046765 0.03 98 0.50
480 9312046766 1.94 9312046768 0.02 99 0.45
540 9312046769 1.87 9312046771 0.06 97 0.45
600 9312046772 1.87 9312046774 0.06 97 0.40
Conclusion

The Doulton HIF undercounter drinking water treatment system containing an Ultracarb filter cartridge was found to be very effective at removing chlorine from spiked challenge water. Calculated contaminant reduction percentages were greater than 95 percent in both test units evaluated for 600 gallons, which substantially exceeds the current NSF requirement of 75 percent minimum reduction for Class I filters. Based on this set of laboratory results, the Doulton HIF undercounter drinking water treatment system meets the requirements for compliance under NSF Standard Number 42 for taste, odor and chlorine reduction for Class I filters using a capacity rating of 600 gallons.

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