Titanium water filter TITANOF (Titans) - myth or reality?

Water purification is one of the important tasks of modern man. The success of the solution directly affects our health and well-being. It is cleaned using filters of various devices or whole filtration systems. Everything depends on the degree of pollution. The titanium water filter TITANOF (Titans, Titanoff) is now actively advertised.

What the manufacturer says

First of all, it is stated that the titanium filter removes iron and rust (iron oxide), bacteria and viruses, manganese and chlorine, removes turbidity and color. Other filters cope with the same tasks. Each of the analogs has advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage of the majority is the need to replace the filter elements. But the titanium water filter is positioned as reusable and durable with a 50-year guarantee. What is its uniqueness? Let's figure it out.

Declared properties of a titanium water filter

The difference is that the filter element is a cartridge-type cylinder made of sintered titanium powder. It is one of the metals that is lighter than steel, but much stronger than it. Another remarkable property is that it hardly oxidizes (in a purified form), does not wear out over time. During the production of a Titan filter, titanium powder is sintered, resulting in something like a "titanium sponge". The titanium filter material has a porous structure, the pores are 0.8 μm in size. The powder is baked in the form of a cylinder with rather thick walls - about 5 mm.

How does cleaning work? Filtration occurs due to the "forcing" water through the walls of the titanium cylinder. Dirt remains in the passages / capillaries of the filter element. The filtration principle is innovative. Since other filters do not work that way (polyurethane, for example). That is, in fact, a titanium water filter is not an ordinary filter, but the finest purifier with an unusual and durable titanium filter element.

Video review of a titanium filter from an official manufacturer:

Dissolved Iron Filtration Principle

The titanium particles contained in the filter element react with oxygen and the resulting compounds oxidize the dissolved iron. Iron oxides are formed, which are further retained by the pores of the cartridge. This allows for reagent-free cleaning of dissolved iron.

Dissolved iron is unusual in that it does not manifest itself at first glance. Clear water may well contain this impurity. Its presence “opens” as the iron particles in water come into contact with oxygen from the air. After that, the oxidation process begins and rust precipitates into the sediment. That is why, for example, in especially "ferruginous" areas of different cities you can see a thick layer of rust in teapots and rusty streaks on the bathtub, toilet bowl, sink. Moreover, absolutely clear water flows from the tap without any hint of turbidity.

An example of the results of regular exposure of the bath enamel to dissolved iron in water

This property of titanium is extremely useful for water purification, and, which is especially important, does not in any way conflict with the general biological inertness and non-toxicity of titanium itself. That is why it is so actively used for the manufacture of implants, dentures and other "parts" for replacement in the human body. Titanium not only is not rejected by the human body and does not emit harmful substances into it, but also practically does not wear out.

An example of making a part of titanium ribs

The effectiveness of the titanium filter is confirmed not only by the patent, which was issued by the manufacturer, but also by the research protocol posted in the public domain on the official website of the company. In addition, water analyzes can be seen in live video feeds of the filter. So, we figured it out. This is not a miracle, but a natural chemical reaction and the properties of the material from which the filter is made, with confirmation in the form of official documents.

Titanium filter patent

Excerpt from the test report - “before and after”:

Video review by blogger Alexander Smolin on the Titans filter:

What is the real uniqueness

Considering all of the above and documentary evidence of the effectiveness of the filter against the declared types of contaminants, it can be concluded that a titanium water filter is not just an ordinary mechanical one. It copes not only with the declared filtration limit - 0.8 microns, but also provokes the oxidation reaction of dissolved iron and reduces chlorine by 7 times.

Video review with an example of the work of the filter with dissolved iron:

Is a titanium filter a guarantee of drinking water? It's a tricky question, here you need to understand that it all depends on what water is used initially (before the filter). If, in addition to those impurities that can be removed with a titanium filter, no other excess is observed in the water, then yes, the water will be potable. It is necessary to understand that for each component that may be contained in water, there are concentration standards prescribed in SanPin. They can be determined using water analysis. To conduct it, you need to make a water sample and take it to the SES or the nearest suitable laboratory providing such services.

Often, especially when it comes to water from a well and a well, fine impurities are not the only problem. For example, hardness salts, the titanium filter will not remove lime. Additional treatment will be required, usually with a cation exchange filter. Moreover, you may also need a preliminary stage - rough cleaning. Depends on the degree of water pollution. Such multi-stage filtration systems from different manufacturers are not new for experienced summer residents and owners of country cottages.

To understand whether we will receive drinking water after a titanium filter, we can simply do a water analysis - before and after use, following the instructions of the SES or the relevant laboratory.

What other advantages does a titanium filter have in addition to reagentless ferrous oxidation? There is. In what? The fact that this filter can be washed. Moreover, the number of flushes is not limited. The manufacturer claims the filter has a shelf life of 50 years. Titanium is indeed a chemically inactive metal. It does not react (almost), does not dissolve, does not oxidize. That is, all the elements caught by the filter simply lie there and can be removed. And indeed it is. How to do it?

How to clean a titanium water filter and how effective it is

The manufacturer talks about two ways to clean the titanium filter element: using the reverse flow of water and chemical recovery. Simple rinsing with water is effective, but up to a point. Part of the contamination comes out, but what "lies" in the surface layer is washed off. You cannot wash the sediment out of porous titanium with water. Too many moves, too small, chaotically located.

So, to restore performance, chemical recovery is required. This is far from being as scary as it sounds, more precisely, it is very simple, just like rinsing the kettle from scale. In this case, this is soaking in an acidic solution (a solution of food citric acid, which is sold in any store and costs a penny) for 6-8 hours (many simply leave it overnight.

Based on operating experience and reviews: the water goes perfectly after cleaning. The filter's performance is restored. For how long? Depends on the initial level of water pollution.Someone cleans the filter after 1 month, someone has enough for six months. There may be several reasons for this situation:

1. It should be noted that the titanium filter is not positioned as purely mechanical. That is: it is intended only for fine impurities. If, in addition to them, huge flakes of rust, stones, sand, clay, silt and mud float in the water, then any other filter, except for a coarse filter, will clog faster. In addition to titanium, this will equally apply to both carbon and ion-exchange filters. Do not be surprised that the fine filter is clogged with sand and therefore does not work. This only means that, first of all, the water needs a pre-filter, mesh or so-called sump.
2. Correct cleaning procedure... It is important not to confuse the proportions of citric acid and water (put too little), forget to stir the acid, leave the cartridge in water not for at least 6 hours, but for 20 minutes, etc.
3. Incorrectly selected model... The “Kid” model with a capacity of 250 liters per hour is unlikely to be suitable for installation on a well for all water sampling points at once. Despite the fact that the official website contains a fairly accurate description of each model and the conditions for its use, such "savings" take place. Competent selection of a filter that is suitable in terms of resource is an important step in purchasing any such product, regardless of the manufacturer - whether it is Titan, Aquaphor or any other filter. If you intend to use a sink, shower, washing machine, dishwasher, etc. at the same time, then 250 liters per hour is unlikely to solve the problem.
4. Easy cartridge cleaning... Saving on filter elements looks very attractive, you don't want to waste your time, effort, and most importantly money. The process of regenerating the cartridge is as simple as possible for both a pensioner and a teenager. No need to buy a new cartridge and spend more money, better save money.

In order to choose the right model of the Titans filter, it is worthwhile to provide the seller with all the data about the water in advance, specifying what impurities it contains, in addition to iron.

Titanium filter regeneration video tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UeHqKhrh2Y&t=50s

What the reviews say

The vast majority of reviews are positive. People leave reviews and talk about how the filter works by sharing the results. Negative reviews are very rare and are similar to the intrigues of competitors, since it is very easy to recognize template text without any facts, it is no secret that the Titans company and its durable products are very much interfering with other water treatment companies operating on the principle of replaceable cartridges. After all, everyone wants to make money on customers for years after installing the filter. In the case of the Titans, this does not happen, so they get angry.

As for the positive reviews, there are many real, live video reviews among them. Moreover, the manufacturer officially periodically holds a promotion: a discount on another product or a cashback for a video review, where it can be seen that the filter really works, and not just saying a memorized text to the camera. Such an approach is not uncommon, because if everything works fine for a person, he is usually silent - is there any point in saying that everything is fine? Unsurprisingly, you have to resort to additional incentives to generate testimonials and video reviews from real customers.

Another video review of a titanium filter with an example of the purification of dissolved iron:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mdhKfMKhGY&t=14s

This is how the titanium water filter is described by its users (reviews from search results, from independent portals):

• The expectations were met. Even the taste of the water has changed.
• Thanks to him, the water in the house has become much cleaner, the installation does not cause difficulties, everything is according to the mind.
• The water is of course completely different! Do not compare. Previously, the smell was strong glandular, and the water became cloudy when it stood a little in the air. Rust is everywhere, everything was constantly washed from it.[…] I never thought that our people would be able to make such a good thing.

In general, about 95% of percent say that “this is not a divorce,” a lot of money wasted, everything works. Another 5% say: “do not believe advertising - everything is not true”. Whom to believe - advertising, positive or negative reviews - everyone decides for himself. Are there any negative reviews? Single and all in text format without real confirmation.

Comparison of titanium and pitcher filters:

Over the past 4 years, TITANOF filter manufacturers have become famous in the following events:

• EFFIE AWARDS - Startup. Effective launch.
• Leroy Merlin's Fair of Chances is the winner.
• Ecological award "Ecobest" - eco-product of the year.
• Skolkovo innovation competition - reaching the final.
• Work with the Administrative Department of the President of the Russian Federation as a contractor for the installation of titanium filters on site.
• The company was selected by the export center of Moscow to sell its products around the world and entered the first 100 companies from Russia that were honored to be placed on world Internet portals as a trusted supplier.
• The company's specialists are invited to television broadcasts as experts in water treatment.

In 2019, the Moscow Innovation Agency awarded the 1st place to the product based on the results of the assessment by city customers and recommended it for inclusion in the "List of innovative, high-tech products and technologies":

Despite all the awards and regalia, it is fair to say that the titanium filter is not a panacea - it has the properties declared by the manufacturer and it fulfills them. It removes the very specific dirt for which it is intended. The same can be said about any other filter that assumes one specific type of purification: fine, mechanical (preliminary), finishing, softening, etc. select a cleaning system. Whether there is a titanium water filter in it or not is your decision. Taking into account the savings on cartridges and a life of 50 years, for a fine mechanical filter with iron oxidation function, in a few years the filter will start making you money. Since you no longer need to buy cartridges. As they say in Russia: saved money means earned!

Feedback on the titanium filter in the apartment:

TITANOF seems to be listening to feedback, which is especially important for a relatively new product on the market. Therefore, on the manufacturer's website, you can find rather detailed descriptions of seemingly simple things, such as the process of regenerating a titanium cartridge with video. This is done in order to minimize errors when working with the filter. As for the characteristics of the filters, they are also described in more detail. Now in the description for all titanium powder filters, the operating pressure is 8 bar. In addition, there are models with different flow rates, for a different number of simultaneously operating points.

The website of the TITANOF company also has a section "ready-made solutions", which presents bundles of filters of various types to solve the most common problems.

One of the components in such bundles is a titanium water filter. But only “one of the components”. And again, it is much more reliable to first analyze the water, and then select a solution, than to select a filter by eye. However, it is enough to contact the manufacturer to hear the same information.

Summary

Based on the above, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• The titanium filter is a device designed for specific tasks (fine purification) and successfully solves these tasks.
• Confirmation of the titanium filter operation is publicly available - from official documents and test reports on the manufacturer's website to independent video reviews, including water analyzes.
• The titanium filter can really work for 50 years, based on the properties of the material of the cartridge and has a guarantee for the same 50 years, this is stated in the technical passport.
• The titanium cartridge must be cleaned following the manufacturer's instructions.
• When choosing any filter, you must carefully study the water problem and consult with the seller before purchasing a water purifier.