FILTERSORB® SP3 Salt-Free Scale Prevention Media

FILTERSORB® SP3 is an advanced catalytic media designed to prevent scale formation in water systems without the use of salt, chemicals, electricity, or regeneration cycles. Using Nucleation Assisted Crystallization (NAC) technology, the media converts dissolved hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium into stable microscopic crystals that remain suspended in the water and cannot attach to surfaces.

Unlike traditional ion-exchange softeners, FILTERSORB® SP3 does not remove hardness minerals or add sodium to the water. Instead, it changes the physical structure of hardness minerals, preventing them from forming scale on pipes, fixtures, heat exchangers, and appliances while preserving the beneficial minerals in drinking water.

This environmentally friendly technology provides an effective alternative to salt-based water softening systems and chemical scale inhibitors.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

FILTERSORB® SP3 utilizes specialized modified ceramic beads that act as nucleation sites for calcium carbonate crystallization. As hard water passes through the media, dissolved calcium bicarbonate is converted into microscopic calcium carbonate crystals.

These crystals remain suspended in the water and are carried through the plumbing system rather than attaching to surfaces.

The reaction occurring within the system can be summarized as:

Ca(HCO₃)₂ → CaCO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

This transformation produces stable micro-crystals that cannot form scale deposits.

KEY FEATURES

Salt-free scale prevention technology
No regeneration cycles required
No backwashing required
No chemicals required
No electrical connections required
No drain connections required
No control valves required
Simple installation and operation
Maintenance-free operation
Does not add sodium or phosphates to the water
Preserves beneficial calcium and magnesium minerals in drinking water
Helps remove existing scale deposits over time
Media life typically 5–7 years

ADVANTAGES

Environmentally friendly “green” technology
Lower operating cost compared to salt-based softeners
No wastewater discharge from regeneration cycles
Maintains natural mineral balance of drinking water
Prevents scale buildup in plumbing systems and appliances
Reduces maintenance requirements for equipment

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Appearance: White / opaque solid granules
Composition: Modified ceramic beads
Bulk Density: 780 kg/m³ (48.7 lb/ft³)
Particle Size: 0.55 – 0.75 mm
Mesh Size: 20 × 35
Moisture Content: 10 – 25%

OPERATING PARAMETERS

Flow Direction: Upflow
Operating Temperature: 5 – 80°C (41 – 176°F)
pH Range: 6.5 – 9.5
Maximum Hardness: 1338 ppm (75 gpg)
Maximum Salinity: 35,000 ppm
Maximum Iron: 0.5 ppm
Maximum Manganese: 0.05 ppm
Maximum Free Chlorine: 3 ppm
Maximum Copper: 1.3 ppm

Water must be free of oil and hydrogen sulfide for proper operation.

APPLICATIONS

FILTERSORB® SP3 is used for scale prevention in a wide range of systems including:

Residential point-of-entry systems
Point-of-use systems
Commercial and food service equipment
Boilers and water heaters
Heat exchangers
Cooling towers
Coffee and beverage machines
Ice machines
Dishwashers and laundry equipment
Car wash systems
Industrial process water systems
Reverse osmosis pre-treatment
Irrigation systems

The maintenance-free design makes the technology especially suitable for commercial installations where service access is limited.

PERFORMANCE BENEFITS

Prevents scale buildup in pipes and plumbing fixtures
Protects water heaters, boilers, and heat exchangers
Reduces maintenance on appliances and equipment
Improves energy efficiency by preventing heat-transfer scaling
Helps gradually remove previously formed scale deposits

CERTIFICATIONS

NSF / ANSI 61 Certified for drinking water applications
NSF / ANSI 372 Lead-Free compliant
Tested to multiple international water treatment standards

PACKAGING

Standard Packaging:

Sold by the Liter

60 liter drum

Weight per drum:
49 kg

Pallet Quantity:
18 drums per pallet

Gross pallet weight:
Approximately 965 kg

Additional packaging options may be available upon request.

IMPORTANT NOTES

FILTERSORB® SP3 does not disinfect water and should not be used on microbiologically unsafe water without proper disinfection.

Depending on water quality, pre-treatment for sediment, iron, manganese, copper, hydrocarbons, or hydrogen sulfide may be required for optimal performance.

For new plumbing systems with copper piping, installation is recommended after several weeks of water use to minimize copper leaching effects.

Sizing Calculator:

https://www.watchwater.de/filtersorb-sp3-calculator/