THE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION

PROGRAM

&EPA

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ETV

U.S. Emironmental Protection Agency	NSF International

ETV Joint Verification Statement

TECHNOLOGY TYPE:

BAG AND CARTRIDGE FILTER USED IN DRINKING
WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

APPLICATION:

PHYSICAL REMOVAL OF GIARDIA- AND

CR YPTOSPORIDIUM-SIZED PARTICLES IN DRINKING

WATER

TECHNOLOGY NAME:

MODEL GFS-302P2 -150S-ESBB

BAG AND RIGID CARTRIDGE FILTER SYSTEM

COMPANY:

ROSEDALE PRODUCTS, INC.

ADDRESS:

3730 WEST LIBERTY STREET PHONE: (734)665-8201
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48106 FAX: (734) 665-2214

WEB SITE:

www.rosedaleproducts.com

EMAIL:

jima@rosedaleproducts.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created the Environmental Technology
Verification (ETV) Program to facilitate the deployment of innovative or improved environmental
technologies through performance verification and dissemination of information. The goal of the ETV
program is to further environmental protection by substantially accelerating the acceptance and use of
improved and more cost-effective technologies. ETV seeks to achieve this goal by providing high
quality, peer reviewed data on technology performance to those involved in the design, distribution,
permitting, purchase, and use of environmental technologies.

ETV works in partnership with recognized standards and testing organizations; stakeholders groups which
consist of buyers, vendor organizations, and permitters; and with the full participation of individual
technology developers. The program evaluates the performance of innovative technologies by developing
test plans that are responsive to the needs of stakeholders, conducting field or laboratory tests (as
appropriate), collecting and analyzing data, and preparing peer reviewed reports. All evaluations are
conducted in accordance with rigorous quality assurance protocols to ensure that data of known and
adequate quality are generated and that the results are defensible.

NSF International (NSF) in cooperation with the EPA operates the Drinking Water Treatment Systems
(DWTS) Pilot, one of 12 technology areas under ETV. The DWTS Pilot recently evaluated the
performance of a bag and cartridge system used in drinking water treatment system applications. This
verification statement provides a summary of the test results for the Rosedale Products, Inc. (RPI) Model
GFS-302P2-150S-ESBB Bag and Rigid Cartridge Filter System. Cartwright, Olsen and Associates, an
NSF-qualified field testing organization (FTO), performed the verification testing.

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ABSTRACT

The verification testing of the RPI Model GFS-302P2-150S-ESBB Bag and Rigid Cartridge Filter System
occurred at the Minneapolis Municipal Water Works (MWW) facility during a 32-day verification test
period conducted between March and April 2000. The system employed a Model GD-PO-523-2 bag
filter element and a Model PL-520-PPP-141 rigid cartridge filter element. The source water was a blend
of untreated river water and finished water. The system was operated for 23 hours per day with a one-
hour stoppage. There were a total of 22 filter runs with an average low rate of 9.7 gpm. The
manufacturer specified 15 pounds per square inch (psi) as terminal headloss. Following a brief ripening
period during each filter run, on-line turbidity on average over twenty-two filter runs was 1.08 NTU
influent and 0.21 NTU effluent. Three fluorescent microsphere challenges were performed during three
filter runs, for a total of nine challenges. The challenges occurred at the beginning of the run, at roughly
the mid-point as determined by headloss, and then again at a point between 90% headloss and terminal
headloss. The number of microspheres added to the feed water during the nine challenges was
approximately 11,746 particles/mL. Fifty percent of the microspheres used were from a 3.4 |am
microsphere stock solution (further evaluation of the 3.4 |am stock solution indicated that the stock
solution actually contained microspheres with a mean size of approximately 3 |a,m) and the remaining
50% were 5 |am and 6 |a,m in size. Particle counters were used to measure the number of particles in the
feed and finished water, and samples were collected of the feed and finished water and analyzed by
microscopic enumeration. The RPI bag and cartridge system demonstrated 1.1 to 2.1 logio removal of
seeded microspheres (2.5-7.0 |am) based on the microscopic enumeration results, and 1.9 to 2.7 logio
removal of microspheres and indigenous particles sized 2.0 to 7.0 |am based on the on-line particle
counter data that was adjusted for the number of fluorescent microspheres added (as described later).

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

The system consists of two connected stainless steel filter housings. The first housing contained a Model
GD-PO-523-2 bag filter element. The second housing contained a Model PL-520-PPP-141 rigid cartridge
filter element (which replaced the Model GLR-PO-825-2 filter element used during Phase I initial
operations). Valves and other components are also made of stainless steel or of materials that will not
degrade in water. The flow through both the bag and cartridge filter is from inside to outside. The filter
housings are designed to accommodate a flow rate of 20 gpm, but were operated at 10 gpm during the
verification testing to limit possible filter loadings by high turbidity levels. The system is designed to
operate with surface waters that have turbidity levels of 1 NTU or less and with pressures of less than 60
psi. This testing used 15 psi as a terminal pressure loss value. Liquid chlorine bleach (sodium
hypochlorite) was added during the verification testing to limit any microbial growth within the filters.
The bleach-metering pump was stopped during microsphere challenge events.

The system is designed to act as a final barrier and to capture/contain particles in the size range of C.
parvum (approximately 3-7 |am). Since G. lamblia cysts are larger than C.parvum oocysts, it is assumed
that if the smaller oocysts are contained, the larger cysts will be contained at least the same level1.
Accordingly, while this system is applicable to G. lamblia removal as well as C. parvum removal, focus
was placed on C. parvum sized particles.

The filter system is suited to small public water systems where water treatment plant operators typically
have minimal technical training. The system itself requires no additional chemicals beyond normal
disinfection and relatively limited on-site supervision, for tasks such as reading pressure gauges and
changing filters. No special licensing is required for the use of the filters. Training in bag/element

1 Niemiinski, Eva C. Removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia through Conventional Water Treatment and Direct
Filtration. EPA/600/SR-97/025, 1997.

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replacement is minimal and is explahed in the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual, as supplied
by the manufacturer (see Verification Report).

VERIFICATION TESTING DESCRIPTION

Test Site

The host site for this demonstration was the Minneapolis Municipal Water Works (MWW) located in
Fridley, Minnesota, a suburb adjacent to and directly north of the City of Minneapolis. The testing
equipment was located in Pump House #5. Pump House #5 is the intake point from the Mississippi river.

Source Water

The source water for the verification testing was a blend of raw water from the Mississippi River and
finished water from the MWW treatment plant. Water at the MWW is softened with lime and treated
with alum for removal of color and turbidity. Powdered activated carbon and occasionally potassium
permanganate are also added to remove taste and odor. The water is then treated with carbon dioxide to
lower the pH and stabilize the remaining hardness prior to being pumped to one of two filtration plants.
At the filtration plant, chlorine and ammonia are added for initial disinfection, fluoride is added for tooth
decay prevention and ferric chloride is added as a coagulant to remove remaining color and turbidity. The
water then enters a series of coagulation/sedimentation basins after which the water is filtered with single,
dual or mixed media filters. Blended poly/ortho phosphate is later added as a corrosion control/inhibitor.
The water is post-chlorinated for final adjustment of the disinfectant residual before being fed into the
reservoirs and pumped into the distribution system. Finished water was blended with raw river water to
obtain a turbidity level between 1-3 NTU.

Methods and Procedures

The verification test was divided into tasks that evaluated the system's treatment performance,
specifically its ability to physically remove polystyrene microspheres in the size range of 3 to 6 |a,m from
the feed water, and documented the system's operational parameters.

Prior to the 32-day verification test, cartridge filter elements underwent filter variability testing to
evaluate the variations between and within filter production lots. Phase I was designed to determine
variations within a production lot number of Model GLR-PO-825-2 cartridge filter elements. Based on
the results of the first phase of variability testing, Rosedale chose to change the cartridge filter to the
Model PL-520-PPP-141 cartridge filter for the remainder of the testing. Phase II variability testing was
designed to show variations between production lots. Each phase included 10 days of system operation
with 23 hours of operation and one hour off line (no flow).

The 32-day verification test was performed to evaluate the total number of gallons treated per filter
system (bag and cartridge) and the finished water characteristics. The bags and cartridges were replaced
if terminal headloss (15 psi) or turbidity breakthrough, as established by the manufacturer, was reached.
Water quality parameters monitored during the verification test included: pH, temperature, turbidity,
particle counts, free chlorine residual, alkalinity, total hardness, total organic carbon (TOC), ultraviolet
absorbance (UVA) at 254 nanometers (mil), true color, aluminum, iron, manganese, algae, and total
coliforms. Laboratory analyses were performed in accordance with the procedures and protocols
established in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th Edition (SM) or
EPA-approved methods as listed in the report

During the testing, microspheres in the size range of 3 to 6 |am were injected into the pilot installation
feed water via a metering pump to demonstrate 3+ logio removal. Fifty percent of the microspheres used

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were from a 3.4 |am microsphere stock solution (further evaluation of the 3.4 |am stock solution indicated
that the stock solution actually contained microspheres with a mean size of approximately 3 |a,m) and the
remaining 50% were 5 |am and 6 |am in size. Three microsphere challenges were performed during three
filter runs, for a total of nine challenges. The challenges occurred at the beginning of the run, at roughly
the mid-point as determined by headloss, and then again at a point between 90% headloss and terminal
headloss. The feed and finished water were evaluated for the presence of microspheres by using on-line
particle counters and enumeration of samples collected with hemacytometer techniques and/or membrane
filtration.

Operating conditions were documented during each day of verification testing, including: filter flow rate,
filter headloss, hours of operation, filtered water production, and frequency of filter replacement.

VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE
Filter Element Variability

Phase I filter element variability testing began on June 24, 1999, with three Model GLR-PO-825-2
cartridge filters from the same production lot (No. 88-4546). The bag filters, used as pre-filters within the
filter train, all were from the same manufacturing lot. The flowrate was 20 gpm per filter and the target
turbidity level was achieved by blending raw river water with finished water to approximately 3.0 NTU.
By the second day of Phase I, the bags and cartridge filters had been replaced once and the filters were
again approaching terminal headloss. Accordingly, the system was shut down on June 25 to reevaluate
the operating parameters. After discussions with the manufacturer, it was decided to reduce influent
turbidity to 1 NTU and decrease the flow rate to 10 gpm to reduce rate of filter loading. It was also
decided that only finished drinking water would serve as the feed water when the equipment was not
attended by an operator to avoid reaching terminal headloss during unmanned periods. Due to concerns
expressed by the manufacturer regarding the cartridges from production lot No. 88-4546, the
manufacturer provided replacement cartridges from a different production lot, No. 6-2-99. Phase I testing
recommenced on June 29 and ended July 7, 1999. Bag and cartridge filters were replaced twice during the
remaining portion of Phase I. Based on the results of Phase I, the manufacturer elected to address
concerns pertaining to the manufacturing process of the Model GLR-PO-825-2 cartridge filter element.
Subsequently, for Phase II of filter element variability testing, the manufacturer provided cartridge filter
elements with a different model number (PL-520-PPP-141) and internal seals within the filter housing.

Phase II of the filter element variability testing occurred between January 10 through 20, 2000 with
Model PL-520-PPP141 cartridge filters from 3 different production lots (Numbers 990541-5, 990541-4,
990541-3). Again, the bag filters used as pre-filters within the filter train were from the same
manufacturing lot. Bag and cartridge filters were replaced twice during Phase II. Headlosses at time of
filter replacement on January 13 were 12 psi, 8 psi, and 15 psi respectively for filter trains #1, #2, and #3.
Corresponding logio reductions of indigenous particles sized 2 to 15 |am as measured by particle counters
were 1.4, 1.2, and 1.6. Head losses at time of filter replacement on January 17 were 12 psi, 8 psi, and 9
psi respectively for filter trains #1, #2, and #3 and corresponding 2-15 |a,m particle count log10 reductions
were 1.5, 1.5, and 1.6. Head losses at time of shut-down on January 20 were 6 psi, 6 psi, and 5.5 psi
respectively for filter trains #1, #2, and #3. Corresponding 2-15 |a,m particle count logio reductions were
1.4, 0.81, and 1.4. Filter train #2 demonstrated comparatively poor particle reduction performances
during Phase II. This was attributed to a faulty pressure differential gauge that bypassed feed water into
the filtered water stream. Due to the limited number of filters evaluated within each production lot,
conclusions regarding variation in filter performance between production lots cannot be offered with any
degree of certainty.

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Operation and Maintenance

The verification testing for the system began on March 7, 2000, and ended its 32-day period on April 20,
2000. The system was operated for 23 hours per day with a one-hour stoppage. There were a total of 22
filter runs (bag and cartridges replaced at the start of each filter run unless otherwise noted). The average
flow rate over the 22 filter runs was 9.7 gpm. The average terminal headloss, volume of water produced,
and duration of the 22 filter runs are summarized in the following table:

Operating Data - 22 Filter Runs (March 7 - April 20, 2000)

Filter Run

Terminal
Headloss
(psi)

Water Produced

Filter Run

Number

(Gallons)

Duration (hours)

Average

16.3

22,789

38.04

Minimum

11.0

10,980

19.25

Maximum

25.5

74,173

135.25

Std Dev.

3.6

15,434

27.76

95% Confidence Interval

14.8,17.9

16,340,29,239

25.88, 50.18

The manufacturer supplied O&M Manual illustrates the equipment and shows the proper configuration of
the housings. The system start up and element replacement procedures are instructive and thorough. A
parts list is included.

Microsphere Removal

The fluorescent microsphere challenge was performed between April 16 and 20, 2000. Particle counters
were used to measure the number of particles in the feed and finished water, and samples were collected
of the feed and finished water and analyzed by microscopic enumeration and a laboratory optical particle
counter. The system demonstrated 1.1 to 2.1 logio removal of the seeded microspheres based on the
microscopic evaluations by Huffman Environmental Consulting; however, it was noted by the laboratory
that, upon visual inspection, a considerable number of microspheres were smaller than 3 |am. The 3.4 |am
microsphere stock solution obtained from Bangs Laboratories was reanalyzed by Bangs and the results
indicated that the true particle median size was not 3.4 |am as specified, but was actually 2.98 |am with a
standard deviation of 0.66 |am or 21.2%. Further evaluation of the particle count data indicated that 1.9 to
2.7 logio removals of particles sized 2 to 7 |am were achieved during the fluorescent microsphere
challenge testing based on normalized on-line particle counter data which involved adding the number of
seeding microspheres (approximately 11,746 particles/mL) to the source water's indigenous material
particle counter value and comparing with the effluent particle counter value (details regarding the
normalized particle count data are described in the Verification Report). The duplicate set of samples
collected during the microsphere challenge were sent to Micro Measurement Laboratories, Inc. for
analysis by a laboratory optical particle counter called an Accusizer. Logio reductions calculated with the
use data as analyzed with the Accusizer were not performed because an analysis of the control sample
container demonstrated a suspected level of contamination (approximately 315 particles/mL). However,
influent particle count data as provided from these analyses were helpful in validating influent
particle/microsphere concentrations used to calculate logio reductions of particles/microspheres sized
between 2|am and 7|am. Results are summarized in the following table:

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Hi o



Microscopic

Normalized On-Line

Seeding

Enumeration (2-7 |_im

Particle Counters (2-7 |_im indigenous



microspheres)

particles and microspheres)

First Challenae Run





No headloss

1.1

1.9

Midpoint

2.1

2.3

90% headloss

1.8

2.0

Second Challenae Run.





No headloss

1.5

1.9

Midpoint

2.1

2.7

90% headloss

1.9

2.6

Third Challenae Run.





No headloss

1.5

2.0

Midpoint

1.8

2.7

90% headloss

1.6

2.7

Following the 50% headloss seeding challenges, the flow through the system was interrupted for a brief
interval and then restarted to determine the level of particle sloughing following resumption of flow.
Particles were sloughed for less than three recording cycles of the particle counter, or less than three
minutes. The results are discussed more fully in the Verification Report but point to the necessity for a
brief filter to waste cycle following an interruption in flow.

Water Quality

The following table summarizes the results of the influent and effluent samples collected during the
verification testing period.

Feed/Filtered Water Quality (March 7-April 20,2000)

Parameter

#of
Samples

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Standard
Deviation

95% Confidence
Interval

38/0

7.3/-

3.9/-

11.0/-

2.2/-

6.7, 8.0/-

37/0

8.5/-

8.0/-

8.9/-

0.2/-

8.4, 8.5/-

7/7

70/66

55/54

110/100

18/16

57, 84/55,78

7/7

24/2

<1/<1

110/6

40/3

<1,54/<1,4

7/7

94/95

82/82

130/130

16/16

82,107/











83, 107

7/7

7.8/7.5

6.8/6.4

11/8.8

1.4/0.8

6.7, 8.9/











6.9, 8.1

7/7

14/10

10/5

25/15

6/4

10,18/7, 13

7/7

0.140/0.130

0.180/0.109

0.229/0.156

0.042/0.017

0.109, 0.171/











0.117, 0.143

continuous

1.08/0.21

0.68/0.17

1.46/0.26

0.20/0.02

0.98, 1.16/











0.20, 0.22

continuous

7,329/91

3,784/39

10,056/300

1,737/59

6567, 8090/











65, 117

7/7

0.1/0.1

<0.1/<0.1

0.4/0.6

0.1/0.2

<0.1,0.2/











<0.1,0.3

7/7

0.02/0.1

<0.010.01

0.04/0.04

0.01/0.01

0.01,0.03/











<0.01,0.02

27/0

1.4/-

0.7/-

3.5/-

0.82/-

1.1,1.7/-

27/0

0.6/-

0.1/-

2.5/-

0.6/-

0.4, 0.8/-

Temperature (°C)
pH

Total Alkalinity (mg/L)

Total Coliform (cfu/lOOmL)
Total Hardness (mg/L)

TOC (mg/L)

True Color (TCU)

UVA254 (cm4)

On-line Turbidity (NTU)*

On-line Total Particle Counts

(#/mL)*

Iron (mg/L)

Manganese (mg/L)

Total Chlorine (mg/L)

Free Chlorine (mg/L)

Note: All calculations involving
*Measurements are the average

results with below detection limit values used half the detection limit in the calculation,
of the filter run averages.

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Turbidity removals were consistent and generally good throughout the verification period. Following a
brief ripening period, the average on-line turbidity over the 22 filter runs was 1.08 NTU for the feed and
0.21 NTU in the filtered water. No algae were detected in the filtered water samples.

Original Signed by

E. Timothy Oppelt	9/20/01

E. Timothy Oppelt	Date

Director

National Risk Management Research Laboratory

Office of Research and Development

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Original Signed by
Gordon Bellen	9/22/01

Gordon Bellen	Date

Vice President
Federal Programs
NSF International

NOTICE: Verifications are based on an evaluation of technology performance under specific,
predetermined criteria and the appropriate quality assurance procedures. EPA and NSF make no
expressed or implied warranties as to the performance of the technology and do not certify that a
technology will always operate as verified. The end user is solely responsible for complying with
any and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Mention of corporate names, trade
names, or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use of
specific products. This report is not a NSF Certification of the specific product mentioned herein.

Availability of Supporting Documents

Copies of the ETV Protocol for Equipment Verification Testing for Physical Removal of
Microbiological and Particulate Contaminants dated May 14, 1999, the Verification
Statement, and the Verification Report (NSF Report # 01/08/EPADW395) are available
from the following sources:

(NOTE: Appendices are not included in the Verification Report. Appendices are
available from NSF upon request.)

1.	Drinking Water Treatment Systems ETV Pilot Manager (order hard copy)
NSF International

P.O. Box 130140

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48113-0140

2.	NSF web site: http://www.nsf.org/etv (electronic copy)

3.	EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/etv (electronic copy)

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