__NOTOC__{{Language-box|english_link= Ceramic pot filter | french_link= Coming soon | spanish_link= Coming soon | hindi_link= Coming soon | malayalam_link= Coming soon | tamil_link= Coming soon | swahili_link=coming soon | korean_link= Coming soon | chinese_link=陶罐过滤器 | indonesian_link= Coming soon | japanese_link= Coming soon }} [[Image:Ceramic_filter_icon.png|right|80px]][[Image:CPF1.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Potters for Peace filter model.]] A ceramic pot filter consists of a flowerpot-shaped pot, made from a porous ceramic material. Water poured into a ceramic pot filter percolates through the pot material, and is collected in a second container. There are many variations of the ceramic filter: some are made entirely from ceramics such as the Potters for Peace filters, some have a ceramic pot hanging in a plastic container such as Filter Pure (Agua Pure). Frequently, a colloidal silver coating is added to the ceramic filter. Some ceramic pot filters also include activated charcoal in the clay mixture to improve odour, taste, and colour. Locally produced ceramics have been used to filter water for hundreds of years. Today, 150,000 filters are used in Central America, Asia and Africa. CARE, UNICEF, Red Cross amongst others use the filter. In Nicaragua, Guatemala and Cambodia the production of this filter is a commercial activity and production is starting up in six other countries. ===Suitable conditions ===The ceramic pot filter is suitable to process 8 litres of water per batch. This produces a daily water supply of 20-30 litres. {| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"|-! width="50%" style="background:#efefef;" | Advantages! style="background:#f0f8ff;" | Disadvantages|-| valign="top" | - The filter is small and lightweight <br>- Removes most pathogens and suspended solids<br>- The silver coating ensures disinfection, so further disinfection is not needed. <br>- Sustainable, minimal outside resources require. Ceramic for example is produced locally in most developing countries<br>- Household and voluntary labour can be used in the manufacturing process<br>- Simple and cheap <br>- Water tastes good <br>| valign="top" | - Low flow rate (1-3 litres per hour)<br>- Set up is fragile, breaks easily, allowing bad water through undetectable cracks. <br>- Turid water plugs filter <br>- Cleaning results in removal of ceramic layer; over time, filter needs replacing. <br>- Quality control difficult to ensure. <br>- Dissolved compounds are not removed (same as other filters) <br>|}
{{Potential_Treatment_Capacity_table
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===Construction, operations and maintenance===
[[Image:CPF2.png|thumb|right|200px| Cross section through a Ceramic Pot Filter.]]
Ceramic pot filters usually have a diameter of about 30 cm by 25 cm deep, with an 8 litre capacity. Two variations of ceramic filters, flat-bottom and round-bottom, are currently manufactured. The ceramic pot typically sits or hangs in the top of a larger plastic or ceramic container (20-30 litres), which is fitted with a tap at the bottom. A lid is placed on top of the filter to prevent contamination.
[[Image:CPF1Ceramic pots are usually made from local clay mixed with a combustible material like sawdust, rice husks or coffee husks.jpg|thumb|right|150px| Potters for Peace filter model.]][[Image:CPF2.png|thumb|right|150px| Cross section The clay and combustible material are sieved through a Ceramic Pot Filterfine mesh, and then mixed together with water until it forms a homogeneous mixture.]][[Image:CPF3The mixture is pressed into shape using a mold.jpg|thumb|right|150px| Hydraulic press used to make When the filters.]][[Image:CPF4.jpg|thumb|right|150px| Small local filter factorypot is fired in a kiln, the combustible material burns out, leaving a network of fine pores through which the water can flow through.]]
==What Colloidal silver is a Ceramic Pot Filter?==Locally produced ceramics have been used sometimes applied to filter water for hundreds of years. Water is poured into a porous the ceramic filter pot, and is collected in another container after it passes through firing or added to the ceramic potclay mixture prior to firing. Colloidal silver is an antibacterial which:
Ceramic pot filters usually have a diameter of about 30 cm by 25 cm deep* Disables the enzyme that pathogenic bacteria and fungi use for oxygen metabolism, thus suffocating them. <br>* Destroys pathogens with an 8 litre capacityelectric charge, causing their internal protoplast to collapse. Two variations of ceramic filters, flat-bottom and round-bottom, are currently manufactured<br>* Renders pathogens unable to reproduce. <br>* Kills parasites while in their egg stage.
The ceramic pot typically sits or hangs in the top of Pathogens and suspended material are removed from water through a larger plastic or ceramic container (20-30 litres), which is fitted with a tap at the bottom. A lid is placed on top combination of the filter to prevent contamination. This system both treats the water biological and provides safe storage of the treated water until it is usedphysical processes.
Ceramic pots are usually made from local clay mixed with a Quality control on the size of the combustible material like sawdust, rice husks or coffee husks. The materials used in the clay and combustible material are sieved through a fine mesh, and then mixed together with water until it forms a homogeneous mixture. The mixture is pressed into shape using a mold. When mix ensures that the pot filter pore size is fired in a kiln, small enough to prevent contaminants from passing through the combustible material burns outfilter. Colloidal silver aids treatment by breaking down pathogens’ cell membranes, leaving a network of fine pores through which the water can flow throughcausing them to die.
Colloidal silver ====Operation====Contaminated water is sometimes applied to poured into the ceramic pot after firing or added to . The water slowly passes through the clay mixture prior to firing. Colloidal silver pores and is an antibacterial which helps collected in pathogen removal, as well as preventing growth of bacteria within the filter itselflower container. Some ceramic pot filters also include activated charcoal The treated water is stored in the clay mixture to improve odourcontainer until needed, taste, and colourprotecting it from recontamination. The user simple opens the tap at the base of the container when they need water.
150For turbidity levels greater than 50 NTU,000 filters are used in Central America, Asia and Africathe water should first be strained through a cloth or sedimented before using the ceramic filter.
CARE, UNICEF, Red Cross amongst others The estimated flow rate is 1-3 litres/hour. This is highest when the pot is full. It declines with use and accumulation of contaminants within the filterpores.
In Nicaragua, Guatemala and Cambodia ====Manufacturing====[[Image:CPF3.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Hydraulic press used to make the filters.]][[Image:CPF4.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Small local filter factory.]]Local production of this the filters is common and preferable. A quality control process to ensure filter effectiveness is a commercial activity required. The lower container, lid and production is starting up in six other countriestap can usually be purchased locally.
==How Does It Remove Contamination?==Materials and facilities required are: Pathogens and suspended * Clay* Combustible material are removed from water through a combination (e.g. sawdust, rice husks, coffee husks)* Colloidal silver (optional)* Lid* 20-30 litre ceramic or plastic container with tap* A ceramic factory requires at least 100 m<sup>2</sup> of biological covered area * 15 to 20 ton hydraulic press (can be fabricated locally)* Filter molds (can be fabricated locally)* Mixer for clay and physical processes. combustible material (can be fabricated locally)* Hammer mill (can be fabricated locally)Quality control on the size * Kiln with an internal area of the combustible materials used in the clay mix ensures that the filter pore size is small enough to prevent contaminants from passing through the filterat least 1 cubic metre (can be fabricated locally)* Racks* Work benches* Miscellaneous tools (e. Colloidal silver aids treatment by breaking down pathogens’ cell membranes, causing them to dieg.traditional pottery tools)
==Operation==Contaminated water A professional potter with experience in collecting clay, making ceramic articles, semi-industrial or mass production is poured into the ceramic potrequired. Assistants, preferably potters are required. The water slowly passes through the pores Skill and is collected quality control in the lower container. The treated water manufacturing is stored in the container until neededessential to ensure optimum pore size, protecting it from recontamination. The user simple opens the tap at the base of the container when they need waterflow rate and effectiveness.
For turbidity levels greater than 50 NTU, the water Working with presses and kilns is potentially hazardous and adequate safety precautions should first be strained through a cloth or sedimented before using the ceramic filterused.
The ====Treatment Efficiency====If properly constructed and operated, a ceramic filter pot should can be regularly cleaned using a cloth or soft brush to remove any accumulated materialvery effective in producing good quality water. It is recommended that Ceramic filters with the filter pot be replaced every 1silver coating have consistently tested to 99-2 years100% removal of bacteria and parasites. This is These filters also eliminate the suspended sediments in part to protect against fine cracks which may have developed and are not be visible. Any cracks will reduce the effectiveness since water can short-circuit through , including any organic compounds that are adsorbed to the crack without being filtered through the ceramic poresparticles.
==Treatment efficiency==
{{Treatment_Efficiency
|lab:bacteria=>98-100 % <ref name=Lantagne>[[#Lantagne01|Lantagne]] (2001)</ref><ref name=Smith>[[#Smith04|Smith]] (2004)</ref>
|lab:viruses=19-99% <ref name=Lantagne/> <ref name=Halem>[[#Halem06|Van Halem]](2006)</ref><ref name=additives>Some additives to the clay may increase virus removal. </ref>
|lab:protozoa= Up to 100% <ref name=helminth/>
|lab:helminths=up to 100% <ref name=helminth> Not researched, however helminths and protazoa are too large to pass between the 0.6-3 μm pores. Therefore, up to 100% removal efficiency can be assumed.</ref>
|lab:turbidity=83-99% <ref name=Lantagne/><ref name=low>[[#Low02|Low]](2002)</ref>
|lab:iron=not available
|field:bacteria=88 - >95.1% <ref name=Smith/><ref name=Sobsey>[[#Brown and Sobsey06|Brown and Sobsey]](2006)</ref>
|field:viruses=not available
|field:protozoa=Up to 100% <ref name=helminth/>
Treatment efficiencies provided in the above table require colloidal silver. The treatment efficiency is also affected by pore size and construction quality. Taste, odour and colour of filtered water is generally improved.
====Maintenance====
It is recommended that the filter pot be replaced every 1-2 years. This is in part to protect against fine cracks which may have developed and are not be visible. Any cracks will reduce the effectiveness since water can short-circuit through the crack without being filtered through the ceramic pores.
==Operating criteria==*'''Flow rate:''' 1-3 litres/hour. This is highest when There are no moving or mechanical parts to break in the ceramic pot is fullfilter. It declines with use and accumulation of contaminants within Small cracks can occur which are not visible to the naked eye, but which allow pathogens to pass through the filter pores. *'''Batch volume:''' 8 litres*'''Daily water supply:''' 20-30 litresPoor transportation of filters can lead to cracking and/or breakage. Plastic taps in the lower container can break, metal taps last longer but increase cost.
==Robustness==The lower container can be used as a safe storage containerA supply chain and market availability for replacement filters and taps is required. There are no moving or mechanical parts A quality control process is required to break in the ceramic pot ensure filtereffectiveness. Small cracks can occur which are Recontamination is possible during cleaning; care should be taken to use clean water, not visible to touch the naked eyeceramic with dirty hands, but which allow pathogens and not to pass through place the filter. Poor transportation of filters can lead to cracking and/or breakage. Plastic taps in the lower container can break, metal taps last longer but increase coston a dirty surface.
A supply chain and market availability for replacement filters and taps is required. A quality control process is required to ensure Continued use of the filter effectiveness. Recontamination is possible during cleaning; care should be taken to use clean water, not to touch causes the pore openings in the ceramic to become clogged with dirty handsdebris. As a result, and not to place the flow rate of water through the filter on a dirty surfacedecreases.
==Estimated lifespan==The estimated lifespan Filters are cleaned by lightly scrubbing the surface when the flow rate is up reduced. Some manufacturers recommend to boil the filter every three months to ensure effectiveness. Some manufacturers recommend that soap and chlorine should not be used to 5 years, but is generally 1-2 yearsclean the filter. The filter needs to lower container, tap and lid should be replaced if there are visible crackscleaned on a regular basis.
==Manufacturing requirements==Estimated Lifespan====The estimated lifespan of the filer element and the receptacle is up to 5 years. But generally it lasts for 1-2 years until partial replacement (exhausted/ broken filter element, broken plastic taps, or plastic bucket) is needed. Replacement is strictly needed when there are any visible holes that allows pathogens to enter.
=====Worldwide producers=Suppliers====
Free press and kiln designs are available from Potters for Peace.
===Costs==Local production=====Local production of the filters is common and preferable. A quality control process to ensure filter effectiveness is required. The lower container, lid and tap can usually be purchased locally. * [http://s189535770.onlinehome.us/pottersforpeace/?page_id=125 Complete production manual is available from Potters for Peace] =====Materials and facilities=====* Clay* Combustible material (e.g. sawdust, rice husks, coffee husks)* Colloidal silver (optional)* Lid* 20-30 litre ceramic or plastic container with tap =====Fabrication Facilities=====* A ceramic factory requires at least 100 m<sup>2</sup> of covered area * 15 to 20 ton hydraulic press (can be fabricated locally)* Filter molds (can be fabricated locally)* Mixer for clay and combustible material (can be fabricated locally)* Hammer mill (can be fabricated locally)* Kiln with an internal area of at least 1 cubic metre (can be fabricated locally)* Racks* Work benches* Miscellaneous tools (e.g. traditional pottery tools) =====Labour=====A professional potter with experience in collecting clay, making ceramic articles, semi-industrial or mass production is required. Assistants, preferably potters are required. Skill and quality control in manufacturing is essential to ensure optimum pore size, flow rate and effectiveness. =====Hazards=====Working with presses and kilns is potentially hazardous and adequate safety precautions should be used. ==Maintenance requirements==Filters are cleaned by lightly scrubbing the surface when the flow rate is reduced. Some manufacturers recommend to boil the filter every three months to ensure effectiveness. Some manufacturers recommend that soap and chlorine should not be used to clean the filter. The lower container, tap and lid should be cleaned on a regular basis. ==Cost==
{{Treatment_Cost
|CapCost=US$ 1210-25
|OpCost=US$ 0
|ReplCost=US$ 4
Cost of introduction: US$ 15,000 - 30,000 for project incl. training, machinery and a first production of 500 filters. US$ 50,000 - 100,000 for project incl. production shop, training, first promotion, and 5,000 filters.
==Movies=Field experiences===<br>{|style="border: 2px solid #e0e0e0; width: 20%; text-align: justify; background-color: #e9f5fd;" cellpadding="2"<!--rsr logo here-->|- style="vertical-align: top"* construction video |[[Image:akvorsr logo_lite.png|center|60px|link=http://nlakvo.youtube.comorg/products/rsr/watch?v]]<!--project blocks here-->|- style=JSBU"vertical-MLwDmk&featurealign: bottom"|[[Image:rsr 351.jpg |thumb|center|140px|<font size="2"><center>[http://rsr.akvo.org/project/351/ RSR Project 351]<br>Cost effective means of financing WASH</center></font>|link=related nlhttp://rsr.youtubeakvo.comorg/watch?vproject/351/ ]] |} <br> ===Manuals, videos and links=== {| style="font-size: 125%"|-|{{#ev:youtube|JSBU-MLwDmk&feature=related ]|200|auto|<center>ClaySure Filter Construction</center>}}|{{#ev:youtube|-2c2bmg7yCM|200|auto|<center>Filtro Atabey, por Ideac</center>}}|{{#ev:youtube|EU3rRiWsRE0|200|auto|<center>The Pot with the <br>Silver Lining - Part 1</center>}}|{{#ev:youtube|puUid4LZCwM|200|auto|<center>The Pot with the <br>Silver Lining - Part 2</center>}}|} * Explanation Espanol MANUAL: [http://wwwdocs.youtubewatsan.comnet/Downloaded_Files/watch?v=PDF/Brown-2007-2c2bmg7yCM Use.pdf Use of Ceramic Water Filters in Cambodia.] Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) and UNICEF.* MANUAL: Michael Roberts. [http://www.youtubepractica.comorg/watch?v=wp-2c2bmg7yCM content/uploads/PDF/Cambodia%20Study.pdf CERAMIC WATER PURIFIER CAMBODIA FIELD TESTS: IDE Working Paper No. 1]. Practica Foundation. October 2003.* Panel Discussion English MANUAL: [httphttps://videowww.googleengineeringforchange.comorg/static/content/Water/S00067/videoplay?docid=6838040406197916953&hl=en videoCeramic%20filter%20manual%20no-appendices.pdf Ceramic Water Filter Handbook].googleRDIC, February 2009.com/videoplay?docid=6838040406197916953&hl=en ]
==External links==*Joe Brown and Mark Sobsey. [http://www.cdcpractica.govorg/wp-content/safewateruploads/publications_pagesPDF/optionsBrown%20and%20Sobsey%202006%20-ceramic%20UNICEF%20ceramic%20filter%20final%20report1.pdf Centers for Disease Control and PreventionIndependent Appraisal of Ceramic Water Filtration Interventions in Cambodia]. UNC School of Public Health. May 2006.*Doris van Halem, [http://www.filterpurefilterspractica.org Filter Pure, Inc/wp-content/uploads/PDF/msc-thesis-vanhalem1.pdf Ceramic silver impregnated pot filters for household drinking water treatment in developing countries]. Delft University of Technology. Practica Foundation. November 2006.*Thesis Dirk Jaap Stuurman, Msc. [http://www.pottersforpeacepractica.org Potters for Peace/wp-content/uploads/services/publications/Background%20documents/ceramic%20water%20filters/FINAL_REPORT%20Job%20Stuurman.pdf The Influence of Social Marketing on Adoption of Social Innovations: A Dyadic Study on Ceramic Pot Filters]. Practica Foundation.* [http://www.potpazpractica.org www/wp-content/uploads/services/publications/Background%20documents/ceramic%20water%20filters/Marketing%20Ceramic%20Pot%20Filters%20HQ.pdf Marketing first: Getting ceramic pot filters to the target group]. Aqua For All and Practica Foundation. May 2010.potpaz* [http://rdic.org /ceramic-water-filters/ RDIC (Resource Development International, Cambodia)]. Ceramic water filter information.* [http://www.ceramicatamakloecdc.gov/safewater/publications_pages/options-ceramic.pdf Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. Some ceramic filter options.com * [https://www.ceramicatamakloefilterpure.com / Filter Pure, Inc]. FilterPure has developed a program based upon strategies of affordable water filtration, sustainable enterprise, and local education. The program has been designed to be replicated worldwide.* [http://www.elfiltronpottersforpeace.com wwworg Potters for Peace].elfiltronProviding access to safe water with locally produced ceramic water filters.com* [http://ceramicatamakloe.net/ CeramicaTamakloe Limited]. Materials supplier.
==Footnotes=References===
<references/>
==References=Acknowledgements===* Brown, J. and M. Sobsey (2006) [http://www.potterswithoutborders.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Brown_and_Sobsey_2006_-_UNICEF_ceramic_filter_final_report.pdf Independent Appraisal of Ceramic Water Filtration Interventions in Cambodia: Final Report], Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, USA.* Lantagne, D. (2001) [http://potterswithoutborders.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/alethia-report-2.pdf Investigation of the Potters for Peace Colloidal Silver Impregnated Ceramic Filter Report 2: Field Investigations]. Alethia Environmental for USAID, USA. Also, [http://docs.watsan.net/Downloaded_Files/PDF/Fahlin-2003-Hydraulic.pdf Report 1, 2003].* Low, J. (2002). [http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/LOW%202001%20Appropriate%20Microbial%20Indicator%20Tests%20for%20Drinking%20Water%20in%20Developing%20Countries%20and%20Assessment%20of%20Ceramic%20Water%20Filters.pdf Appropriate Microbial Indicator Tests for Drinking Water in Developing Countries and Assessment of Ceramic Water Filters’Filters], Master of Engineering thesis. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.* Napotnik, J., Mayer, A., Lantagne, D. and K. Jellison ([http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/NAPOTNIK%202009%20Efficacy%20of%20Silver-Treated%20Ceramic%20Filters%20for%20Household%20Water%20Treatment.pdf Efficacy of Silver-Treated Ceramic Filters for Household Water Treatment]. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University, USA. Available at: www.filterpurefilters.org/files/pdf/silver.pdf
* Smith, L. (2004) Ceramic Water Filter Use in Takeo, Cambodia – Operational Issues and Health Promotion Recommendations. Submitted in partial fulfilment as a requirement for a Master of Science in Control of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England.
* Van Halem, D. (2006) [http://potterswithoutborders.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/finalcsfreport_29-10-2-van-dalem1.pdf Ceramic silver impregnated pot filters for household drinking water treatment in developing countries]. Masters of Science in Civil Engineering Thesis, Department of Water Resources, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.* Vinka, A. et al. (2007) [http://potterswithoutborders.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/oyanedel-craver-and-smith-est-2008.pdf Sustainable Colloidal-Silver-Impregnated Ceramic Filter for Point-of-Use Water Treatment], Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 42, No. 3, 927–933