Birm® Iron and Manganese Removal Media – 5 lbs

Birm® Iron and Manganese Removal Media – 5 lbs
(Enough to fill one 20" Big Blue Filter)

🚫 Note: This item cannot be shipped to California.

Product Overview

Birm® is an efficient and economical media designed for the reduction of dissolved iron and manganese compounds from raw water supplies. Acting as an insoluble catalyst, it enhances the reaction between dissolved oxygen (D.O.) and iron compounds, forming ferric hydroxide which can be easily filtered out.

Unlike other methods, Birm® is not consumed in the process, making it a long-lasting and cost-effective solution for clean, iron-free water.

Key Advantages

• No chemicals required for regeneration – only periodic backwashing needed.

• Extremely high iron removal efficiency.

• Durable and long-lasting with low attrition loss.

• Operates across a wide temperature range.

• Lightweight: 40–45 lbs./cu. ft. bulk density.

• Negligible labor and maintenance costs.

Physical Properties

• Color: Black

• Bulk Density: 40–45 lbs./cu. ft.

• Mesh Size: 10 x 40

• Specific Gravity: 2.0 gm/cc

• Effective Size: 0.48 mm

• Uniformity Coefficient: 2.7

Operating Conditions

• Alkalinity: Must be ≥ 2× combined sulfate & chloride concentration.

• Max Water Temperature: 100°F (38°C)

• pH Range: 6.8–9.0

• Dissolved Oxygen: At least 15% of iron (or iron + manganese) content.

• Bed Depth: 30–36 in.

• Freeboard: ≥ 50% of bed depth

• Backwash Rate: 10–12 gpm/sq. ft.

• Backwash Bed Expansion: 20–40% of bed depth

• Service Flow Rate: 3.5–5 gpm/sq. ft. (higher with favorable conditions)

Limitations

• Free chlorine < 0.5 ppm

• Oil: None present

• Polyphosphates: None present

• Organic matter: ≤ 4–5 ppm

• Not compatible with high chlorine or polyphosphate levels (they coat or damage the media).

Application Notes

• If water pH < 6.8, pretreatment with Calcite, Corosex®, or soda ash may be required.

• For low D.O. water, pretreat with aeration.

• For manganese removal, best results occur at pH 8.0–9.0. If iron is also present, keep pH below 8.5 to prevent colloidal iron formation.

✅ Birm® offers one of the most economical, low-maintenance methods for iron and manganese reduction in both gravity-fed and pressurized water treatment systems.