Clack Birm® is a granular filter media commonly used

for the reduction of iron and/or manganese from water supplies.

Birm ®

Birm® is an efficient and economical Untreated water should periodically be

ADVANTAGES media for the reduction of dissolved iron monitored for raw water parameters. Treated
• Under the proper conditions, and manganese compounds from raw water water should periodically be monitored
no chemicals to purchase for supplies. It may be used in either gravity fed or for manganese and if present iron shortly
maintenance. Regeneration not pressurized water treatment systems. Birm acts before a regeneration and immediately after
required. as an insoluble catalyst to enhance the reaction a regeneration to monitor how the filter
between dissolved oxygen (D.O.) and the iron system is functioning. Elevated treated water
• Iron removal efficiency is extremely
compounds. In ground waters the dissolved manganese concentrations before regeneration
high. iron is usually in the ferrous bicarbonate state may mean that the filter media is being
• Negligible labor cost: only periodic due to the excess of free carbon dioxide and destroyed or bed reduction capacity has been
backwashing required. is not filterable. Birm, acting as a catalyst exceeded. Take corrective actions as necessary.
• Durable material with a long life and between the oxygen and the soluble iron If chlorine and hydrogen sulfide are not
wide temperature range. compounds, enhances the oxidation reaction present, low pH or lack of oxygen are the most
of Fe++ to Fe+++ and produces ferric hydroxide likely conditions leading to media destruction.
• Weighs only 35-40 lbs./cu. ft.
which precipitates and may be easily filtered. Additions of chemicals to influent or
The physical characteristics of Birm provide an backwash water which contacts Birm media
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES excellent filter media which is easily cleaned may inhibit iron or manganese removal or may
• Color: Black by backwashing to remove the precipitant. Birm break down or coat Birm media. Chlorination
• Bulk Density: 35-40 lbs./cu. ft. is not consumed in the iron removal operation greatly reduces Birm’s activity. High
• Mesh Size: 12 x 50 and therefore offers a tremendous economic concentrations of chlorine compounds may
• Specific Gravity: 2.0 gm/cc advantage over many other iron removal deplete the catalytic coating. Polyphosphates
methods. are known to coat Birm and reduce Birm’s
• Effective Size: 0.48 mm
Other advantages of Birm include; long ability to remove iron or manganese. Before
• Uniformity Coefficient: 2.7
material life with relatively low attrition loss, adding any chemical to the influent or
a wide temperature performance range and backwash water, the chemical's compatibility
CONDITIONS FOR OPERATION extremely high removal efficiency. Negligible with Birm should be thoroughly tested.
• Alkalinity should be greater than labor costs are involved because Birm does Clack Birm may also be used for manganese
two times the combined sulfate and not require chemicals for regeneration, only reduction with the same dependability as iron
chloride concentration. periodic backwashing is required. removal. In these applications the water to be
• Maximum water temp: 100oF/38oC When using Birm for iron removal, it is treated should have a pH of 8.0-9.0 for best
• Water pH range: 6.8-9.0 necessary that the water: contain no oil or results. If the water also contains iron, the pH
hydrogen sulfide, organic matter not to exceed should be below 8.5. High pH conditions may
• Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) content
4-5 ppm, the D.O. content equal at least 15% cause the formulation of colloidal iron which
must be equal to at least 15% of of the iron content with a pH of 6.8 or more. is very difficult to filter out. All other conditions
the iron and 29% of the manganese If the influent water has a pH of less that 6.8, remain the same for either manganese or iron
content. neutralizing additives such as Clack Corosex®, removal.
• Bed depth: 30-36 in. Calcite or soda ash may be used prior to the
• Freeboard: 50% of bed depth (min.) Birm filter to raise the pH. A water having a low
D.O. level may be pretreated by aeration.
• Backwash rate: 10-12 gpm/sq. ft.
• Backwash Bed Expansion: 20-40%
of bed depth (min.)
• Service flow rate: 3.5-5 gpm/sq. ft.
intermittent flow rates and/or
favorable local conditions may allow
higher flow rates

INFLUENT AND BACKWASH

LIMITATIONS
• Free chlorine concentration less than
0.5 ppm
• Hydrogen Sulfide should be
removed prior to contact with Birm
media
• Oil: None Present
• Polyphosphates: None present
 Service Flow
  Pressure Drop
 Backwash Bed
  Expansion
 

Bed Depth) 



of 



Expansion
 
Depth)


) E
   
Drop

°C UR
Inch/Foot

(4 T 


 

°F RA




 ) E


°C R 
40 PE

(4 U
(2 °C)

Bed

 AT
M

°F R
Pressure

16


)
°C

40 PE 
TE
)

(

7
°C

°F

 of
Backwash
 16

M
)

60



TE
C
Square

(

°F
7°

(Percent
F (2

80
 °
60 °F




8 0

per


(Pounds

 




 
            
Flow Rate
  Flow Rate
 
(Gallons per Minute/Square Foot of Bed Area) (Gallons per Minute/Square Foot of Bed Area)
                 

Classified by
Certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 Underwriters Laboratories Inc.®
Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61
in Accordance with
Standard ANSI/NSF 61

ORDER INFORMATION
Part No. Description Cu. Ft./Bag Wt./Cu. Ft.* Bags/Pallet Weight/Pallet Pallet Dimensions
ORDER INFORMATION
A8006 Birm® 1 35-40 lbs. 40 1450-1650 lbs. 40” x 48” x 42”
Part No. Description Cu. Ft./Bag Wt./Cu. Ft.* Bags/Pallet Weight/Pallet Pallet Dimensions
*Weight per cubic foot is approximate.
A8006 Birm® 1 40-45 lbs. 40 1650-1850 lbs. 40” x 48” x 48”
*Weight per cubic foot is approximate.
Birm is a federally registered trademark of Clack Corporation.
®

NOT FOR INSTALLATION IN CALIFORNIA

The information and recommendations in this publication are based on data we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but do not imply
any warranty or performance guarantee, as conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control. As such, Clack makes no express
or implied warranties of any kind with respect to this product, including but not limited to any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a
4462the
particular purpose. We recommend that the user determine whether Duraform
products andLane
the information given are appropriate, and the suitability and
performance of our products are appropriate, by testing with its own equipment.
Windsor, Wisconsin 53598-9716 Specifications areUSA
subject to change without notice.
The information and recommendations given in this publication Phone
should (608) 846-3010
not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any
patent or as a license to use any patents of the Clack Corporation.
Fax (608) 846-2586
The filter medias listed in this brochure do not remove or kill bacteria.
Sales Fax Do (800)
not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality
755-3010
without adequate disinfection before or after the system.
Form No. 2350 www.clackcorp.com
Replaces
Clack willForm
not1564
be liable under any circumstance for consequential or incidental damages, including but not limited to, lost profits resulting from the use
Updated 3/01
of our products.
Birm® is a federally registered trademark of Clack Corporation.
The information and recommendations in this publication are based on data we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but do not imply
any warranty or performance guarantee, as conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control. As such, Clack makes no express or
implied warranties of any kind with respect to this product, including but not limited to any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose. We recommend that the user determine whether the products and the information given are appropriate, and the suitability and performance of
our products are appropriate, by testing with its own equipment. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
The information and recommendations given in this publication should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of
any patent or as a license to use any patents of the Clack Corporation.
The filter medias listed in this brochure do not remove or kill bacteria. Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality
without adequate disinfection before or after the system.
4462 DURAFORM
Clack will not be liable under any circumstance LANE • or
for consequential WINDSOR,
incidentalWISCONSIN 53598-9716
damages, including USA
but not limited to, lost profits resulting from the use
ofwww.clackcorp.com
our products. phone (608) 846-3010 fax (608) 846-2586 sales /customer service fax (800) 755-3010 Form No. 2350 • 4/6/2012