AFM Grade 1, 21kg bag

What is AFM^®?

AFM^® is the world's most advanced filter media, made in Switzerland from 100% recycled glass. It completely prevents biofilm formation, filters particles down to 1 micron, and offers superior filtration and backwashing performance over the long term, resulting in crystal-clear water, healthier swimming, and reduced operating costs.

AFM^® (Activated Filter Media) is the optimal substitute for sand in filters. It is a recycled glass granule that undergoes an activation process that significantly increases the amount of negative charge on the surface of the glass grains. This results in high adsorption capacity and catalytic and oxidizing properties. AFM^® prevents bacterial contamination and thus the formation of biofilms that clog sand filters and produce trichloramines.

It is the culmination of 30 years of experience and research by Professor H. Dryden of the University of Edinburgh. After extensive work on sand, zeolites, and activated carbon, Professor H. Dryden developed AFM^®, which was awarded a prize by the European Commission's "Life Environment" program. The raw material used is recycled green or brown glass (silicate). This is ground to the correct granulation, and the edges are deburred. AFM^® then undergoes an intensive energy activation process; positive charges are attached to each grain. AFM® thus possesses adsorbent (attractant) forces as well as catalytic and oxidizing properties.

Mechanical filtration of AFM^®: crystal-clear water.

AFM^® has significantly better mechanical filtration properties than sand. AFM® has a negative charge on the surface of each grain, allowing it to adsorb (attract) small particles and organic compounds. In combination with a suitable flocculant and a slow filtration rate, AFM^® filters particles smaller than one micron.

Catalytic and Oxidative Properties of AFM^®

In water containing more than 1 ppm of free oxygen, AFM^® dissociates oxygen molecules and generates two free radicals, which are highly oxidizing and disinfecting. AFM^® thus prevents filter clogging.
Absence of Bacterial Contamination of AFM^®

Because AFM^® is activated and negatively charged, bacteria do not adhere to the glass grains. Therefore, due to the catalytic and oxidative properties of AFM^®, there is no formation of a biofilm. Explanation: Sand is a favorable environment for bacteria. These bacteria adhere to the sand grains. They then release a sticky substance, which protects against disinfectants (chlorine, bromine, active oxygen). This biofilm, in combination with chlorine, creates an acidic environment that allows the formation of trichloramines, which are harmful to health. With AFM^®, there is no biofilm -> Reduced disinfectant use (80% less) -> No byproducts

AFM^® Filtration Performance

Filter Layer Height: The higher the filter layer, the finer the filtration and the more pronounced the catalytic and oxidizing properties. Since there is no biofilm, there is no clogging, and the filter operates at full capacity.

Filtration speed: the slower the speed, the more efficient the filtration (15 m³/m²/hr in swimming pools, 5 m³/m²/hr in wastewater).

Backwash and rinse speed: 45 m³/m²/hr, 100% efficiency due to the adsorption capacity of AFM^®.

No modification to the water treatment system is necessary. Simply replace the sand with AFM^®. Due to its lower density, 20% less AFM^® is required per kilogram than sand. AFM^® is available in four different grain sizes. The coarsest is used as a support layer, the finest for the finest filtration results.

When using AFM^®, a PAC (polyaluminum chloride) flocculant blended with polymers, at a low filtration speed in swimming pools, AFM^® filters particles smaller than one micron!

With NoPhos transforming phosphates into an insoluble deposit filtered by AFM^®, algae growth is stopped and the growth rate of bacteria is considerably slowed.