The iron and manganese removal groundwater (well water) water treatment equipment is a specialized device designed for excessive iron and manganese ions in groundwater (especially well water), which can effectively reduce the iron and manganese content in water, avoid yellowing of water quality, generation of odors, and corrosion of pipelines and appliances. The following provides a detailed introduction from three aspects: structure, principle, and function:
1、 Core Structure
1. Preprocessing unit
Sedimentation tank/aeration device
Sedimentation tank: Remove large sediment and suspended solids from the water to avoid subsequent filter clogging.
Aeration device (core component): Common forms include water drop aeration, jet aeration, compressed air aeration, etc. Its function is to inject oxygen into the water, increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water, and provide conditions for the oxidation of iron and manganese.
2. Filtering unit
Manganese sand filter (core equipment)
Filter material: Natural manganese sand (mainly composed of manganese dioxide MnO ₂) is used as the core, and some equipment will be paired with quartz sand as a cushion layer. The surface of manganese sand has a catalytic effect, which can accelerate the oxidation reaction of iron and manganese ions.
Filter layer structure: The upper layer is manganese sand, and the lower layer is quartz sand. The oxidized iron and manganese precipitates are intercepted through multiple layers of filtration.
3. Auxiliary system
Backwashing device
Including backwash water pump, control valve, etc., it is used to regularly flush the iron and manganese precipitates intercepted on the surface of the filter material, restore the adsorption and catalytic ability of the filter material, and extend the service life of the filter material.
control system
Simple equipment adopts manual control for backwashing, while automated equipment achieves automatic start stop of backwashing through time or pressure difference sensors, reducing manual operation.
Water storage device
The clean water tank is used to store treated water and ensure continuous water supply.
2、 Working principle
Iron and manganese in groundwater (well water) usually exist in the form of soluble divalent iron ions (Fe ² ⁺) and divalent manganese ions (Mn ² ⁺). These ions are colorless and odorless, but exceeding the standard can cause water quality problems. The device removes iron and manganese through a three-step reaction of “oxidation catalysis filtration”:
oxidation stage
The aeration device injects oxygen (O ₂) into the water to oxidize divalent iron and manganese ions into high valence states:
Divalent iron → Trivalent iron: 4Fe ² ⁺+O ₂+2H ₂ O → 4Fe (OH) ∝↓ (iron hydroxide precipitate, brownish yellow)
Divalent manganese → Tetravalent manganese: 2Mn ² ⁺+O ₂+2H ₂ O → 2MnO (OH) ₂ ↓ (manganese dioxide hydrate, black)
Catalytic stage
The MnO ₂ on the surface of manganese sand filter material acts as a catalyst, significantly accelerating the above oxidation reaction (especially the key to manganese oxidation), even if there is insufficient dissolved oxygen in water, it can efficiently complete the oxidation.
Filtering stage
The Fe (OH) ∝ and MnO (OH) ₂ precipitates generated by oxidation are intercepted by manganese sand filter material and discharged with backwashing. The iron and manganese content in the filtered water drops below the standard values.
3、 Core role
Improve sensory characteristics of water quality
After removing iron and manganese, the well water no longer turns yellow or turbid, avoiding the iron smell when drinking, and preventing clothes and sanitary ware from being stained (such as white clothes turning brown or bathtub spots).
Protecting pipelines and equipment
Long term adhesion of iron and manganese precipitates can cause pipeline blockage and corrosion (such as scaling in water heaters and washing machine liners). Equipment can reduce scale formation and extend the service life of water using equipment.
Ensure water safety
According to China’s “Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water” (GB 5749-2022), the iron content is ≤ 0.3mg/L and the manganese content is ≤ 0.1mg/L. The equipment can reduce excessive iron and manganese to within the standard range, avoiding the health risks that may be caused by long-term consumption of excessive water (such as digestive system discomfort).
Adapt to the characteristics of rural well water
The equipment does not require complex infrastructure, occupies a small area, and is suitable for decentralized well water treatment in rural areas; Automated models can reduce manual maintenance, especially suitable for areas lacking professional operation and maintenance personnel.
4、 Applicable scenarios
Rural household well water and small-scale centralized water supply stations (such as villages and schools);
Areas with groundwater iron content>0.3mg/L or manganese content>0.1mg/L;
Small food processing and rural tourism venues with high water quality requirements.
Through targeted “oxidation catalysis filtration” processes, iron and manganese removal equipment can efficiently solve the problem of excessive iron and manganese in groundwater, and is one of the core equipment for improving rural well water quality.
Post time: Jul-10-2025