The CFM cartridge combines activated carbon with a filtration layer, so it removes color, odor, residual chlorine and fine particles in one step. It is commonly installed after the sediment cartridge and before RO membranes, which are easily damaged by chlorine.
Key features
- Removes color, odor and residual chlorine
- Also traps fine particles
- Fits standard 10 – 40 inch housings
- Replace when the carbon is exhausted or pressure drop reaches 1 bar
Choosing and replacing cartridges
- How many cartridges? A standard PP cartridge (Ø60–64 mm) handles up to about 1.1 m³/h per 10 inches of length. For 20 m³/h, use a 5 × 40″ housing (22 m³/h) or a 7 × 30″ housing (23.1 m³/h).
- Filter rating: 5 µm is the usual choice before RO. Melt-blown, string-wound and carbon membrane cartridges are rated nominally; some RO membrane makers recommend 5 µm absolute, so tell our engineers if your RO system requires it.
- When to replace: when the pressure drop across the cartridge reaches 1 bar, or when a carbon cartridge is saturated. In front of RO membranes, DuPont recommends replacing cartridges at least every 3 months.
- Melt-blown or string-wound? Both are PP, 10″–40″, 5 µm. Melt-blown works up to 60 °C with a maximum pressure drop of 3.0 bar; string-wound works up to 90 °C with 2.7 bar.
- Big Blue or standard housing? Big Blue housings are Ø148 mm with 1″ ports for fat Ø110–115 mm cartridges, 0–4.5 m³/h (10″) or 0–9 m³/h (20″). Standard housings are Ø92 mm with 1/2″–3/4″ ports, 0–1.1 or 0–2.2 m³/h.
