563
edits
Changes
no edit summary
__NOTOC__
[[Image:CPF1.jpg|thumb|right|150px| Potters for Peace filter model.]]
[[Image:CPF2.png|thumb|right|150px| Cross section through a Ceramic Pot Filter.]]
Water is poured into a porous ceramic filter pot, and is collected in another container after it passes through the ceramic pot.
Ceramic pot filters usually have a diameter of about 30 cm by 25 cm deep, with an 8 litre capacity. Two variations of ceramic filters, flat-bottom and round-bottom, are currently manufactured.
The ceramic pot typically sits or hangs in the top of a larger plastic or ceramic container (20-30 litres), which is fitted with a tap at the bottom. A lid is placed on top of the filter to prevent contamination. This system both treats the water and provides safe storage of the treated water until it is used.
Ceramic pots are usually made from local clay mixed with a combustible material like sawdust, rice husks or coffee husks. The clay and combustible material are sieved through a fine mesh, and then mixed together with water until it forms a homogeneous mixture. The mixture is pressed into shape using a mold. When the pot is fired in a kiln, the combustible material burns out, leaving a network of fine pores through which the water can flow through.
Colloidal silver is sometimes applied to the ceramic pot after firing or added to the clay mixture prior to firing. Colloidal silver is an antibacterial which helps : - Disables the enzyme that pathogenic bacteria and fungi use for oxygen metabolism, thus suffocating them. <br>- Destroys pathogens with an electric charge, causing their internal protoplast to collapse. <br>- Renders pathogens unable to reproduce. <br>- Kills parasites while in pathogen removal, as well as preventing growth of bacteria within the filter itselftheir egg stage. Some ceramic pot filters also include activated charcoal in the clay mixture to improve odour, taste, and colour.
Pathogens and suspended material are removed from water through a combination of biological and physical processes.
