Membranes
Clack Birm Iron Removal Media Indonesia
Clack Birm is a catalytic medium for dissolved iron and manganese removal. Check pH, oxygen, backwash capacity, and source-water limits before selection.
Clack Birm® is a catalytic filter medium for reducing dissolved iron and manganese when the water has suitable pH and dissolved oxygen. Unlike GreensandPlus™, Birm does not need chemical regeneration, but it is unsuitable when the water contains hydrogen sulfide, oil, polyphosphate, or high free chlorine. Selection must start with water-test data and available backwash capacity.
PT Watermart Perkasa, operating at water.co.id, supplies Clack Birm and water-filter components for projects in Indonesia. Birm accelerates the oxidation of dissolved iron into a precipitate that the filter bed can retain and periodic backwashing can remove. It can be used in gravity-fed or pressurized filters. Manganese removal requires tighter operating conditions than iron removal. If the water also contains hydrogen sulfide or the design uses an oxidant, compare Birm with GreensandPlus for iron and manganese removal before selecting the medium. Minimum selection data includes Fe, Mn, H₂S, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, flow rate, vessel diameter, and available backwash flow.
When is Birm a better choice than GreensandPlus?
Birm is the better starting option when dissolved iron or manganese is the main target, dissolved oxygen is sufficient, and the water contains none of the substances that inhibit its catalytic surface. GreensandPlus deserves comparison when hydrogen sulfide is present or oxidation is part of the design. Final selection still depends on water analysis and filter hydraulics.
| Water or operating condition | Starting choice | Why it needs checking |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolved iron, adequate oxygen, no H₂S | Clack Birm | Under suitable conditions, Birm uses dissolved oxygen and needs no chemical regeneration. |
| Manganese is the main target | Birm only at suitable pH; compare GreensandPlus | Birm requires a higher pH for manganese than for iron removal. |
| H₂S is present or an oxidant is part of the design | GreensandPlus | H₂S must be removed before contact with Birm, and chlorine reduces Birm activity. |
| Water pH is below the Birm operating limit | Correct pH before Birm or select another medium | The Birm datasheet specifies a minimum pH of 6.8 for iron removal. |
| Backwash flow is limited | Calculate bed expansion before selecting | Birm still requires periodic backwashing to remove iron and manganese precipitate. |
Which Clack Birm operating conditions must be checked?
The following figures come from the Clack Birm datasheet, Form No. 2350. Specifications can change, so confirm current product data and filter design when requesting a quotation.
| Parameter | Datasheet guidance |
|---|---|
| Water pH range | 6.8-9.0 |
| Conditions for manganese removal | pH 8.0-9.0 for best results; if iron is also present, pH should remain below 8.5 |
| Dissolved oxygen | At least 15% of the combined iron and manganese content |
| Bed depth | 30-36 inches |
| Service flow | 3.5-5 gpm/ft²; local conditions must be verified |
| Backwash rate | 10-12 gpm/ft² |
| Maximum water temperature | 38°C |
| Influent limits | Free chlorine below 0.5 ppm; remove H₂S; no oil or polyphosphate |
pH alone is not enough to select the medium. Use representative source-water results, then match them to contact time, vessel size, service flow, and backwash capacity. For a complete filter train, Watermart also supplies Pentair automatic filters and control valves and Reverse Osmosis pretreatment components.
What data should buyers send before selecting a Birm filter?
Send Fe, Mn, H₂S, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and free-chlorine results. Include normal and peak flow, operating hours, vessel diameter, water source, any existing oxidation step, and treated-water target. These inputs help determine whether Birm fits or whether GreensandPlus or another configuration should be compared.
Frequently asked questions about Clack Birm
Does Watermart supply Clack Birm in Indonesia?
Yes. PT Watermart Perkasa supplies Clack Birm through water.co.id for industrial, commercial, and pretreatment filters. Availability, delivery timing, and technical requirements are confirmed during quotation.
Can Birm remove hydrogen sulfide?
No. The Clack datasheet states that hydrogen sulfide must be removed before the water contacts Birm. If the water has a rotten-egg odor, measure H₂S and evaluate oxidation plus GreensandPlus media before choosing a filter.
Does Birm require regeneration chemicals?
Not under suitable operating conditions. Birm acts as a catalyst and needs periodic backwashing rather than chemical regeneration. Certain chemicals, especially high chlorine and polyphosphate, can instead reduce the medium’s activity.
Is Birm alone enough before an RO membrane?
Not necessarily. Birm addresses iron or manganese under suitable conditions, but RO pretreatment must also account for sediment, hardness, organics, chlorine, and other fouling risks. See the iron removal system guide for the broader process context.
For technical consultation or a quotation, send raw-water data and required flow through the Watermart contact page.