Abstract: A gravity-fed carbon block water filter in one embodiment includes a filter block comprising multiple sub-blocks each comprising filter media walls surrounding and defining a cavity for receiving fluid. Each of the sub-blocks is connected to at least one other of the sub-blocks by filter media of which the filter block is made. In one approach, the filter media includes about 20-90 wt % activated carbon, and about 5-50 wt % binder. In another approach, a lead concentration in a final liter of effluent water filtered by the filter is less than about 10 ?g/liter after about 151 liters (40 gallons) of source water filtration, the source water having a pH of 8.5 and containing 135-165 ppb total lead with 30-60 ppb being colloidal lead greater than 0.1 ?m in diameter. A gravity-fed water filter in other embodiments has no specified shape but achieves a FRAP factor of about 350 or less.

Abstract: Filter modules for use in a water dispenser, carafe, or other gravity-flow water filtration and dispensing unit are self-supporting, rigid and porous, and are adapted in size and shape to substantially fill a generally-cylindrical housing. The filter modules are molded forms of high-porosity compositions, so that they are consistent in performance and “non-dusting” compared to the unpredictable arrangements, positions, and performance of loose activated carbon particles. Filter modules may include activated carbon, zeolitic, resins, metal-scavengers, and/or other water filtration/treatment media granules/powders, for example, bound into a solid profile form by thermoplastic and/or other polymeric binders. Low melt index, or very low melt index, binders are preferred to maximize exposure of the activated carbon surface area.

Abstract: A gravity-fed carbon block water filter in one embodiment includes a filter block comprising multiple sub-blocks each comprising filter media walls surrounding and defining a cavity for receiving fluid. Each of the sub-blocks is connected to at least one other of the sub-blocks by filter media of which the filter block is made. In one approach, the filter media includes about 20-90 wt % activated carbon, and about 5-50 wt % binder. In another approach, a lead concentration in a final liter of effluent water filtered by the filter is less than about 10 ?g/liter after about 151 liters (40 gallons) of source water filtration, the source water having a pH of 8.5 and containing 135-165 ppb total lead with 30-60 ppb being colloidal lead greater than 0.1 ?m in diameter. A gravity-fed water filter in other embodiments has no specified shape but achieves a FRAP factor of about 350 or less.

Abstract: Multi-core solid profile filter media blocks include multiple sub-blocks, which may be formed by providing a block with multiple interior cavities extending deep into the block, to allow water to flow deep inside the filter block to access the media of the sub-block (in the case wherein the cavities are at the inlet to the block) or that allows water to be collected from each filtration sub-block (in the case wherein the cavities are at the outlet from the block). One or more indentations/spaces/gaps in the exterior surface of the block also may be provided to separate and extend between portions of the sub-blocks, so that substantially all of the filter media of a sub-block is accessible to fluid for filtration. This way, a filter block may include a large amount of media in a small cartridge or package volume, and the filter block may exhibit good flow distribution and low pressure drop.

Abstract: Solid profile filter blocks for filtration of fluids include activated carbon fibers, preferably cut or ground into rod-shaped elements and bound into a solid profile using one or more binders. The filter block has internal structure and porosity that exhibit surprisingly-low pressure drop while effectively removing specific contaminants of interest. Granular activated carbon, lead or arsenic sorbents, and/or other active components may supplement the activated carbon fibers/rods in the present invention. The preferred manufacturing techniques preferably do not include any slurry process or other adding of water during the manufacturing process. The preferred cutting and/or grinding of longer, activated carbon source fibers into a range of rod lengths, including very short rods and longer rods, may be called a gross cut, as opposed to a precise cut that has a narrow distribution.

Abstract: A gravity fed carbon block water filter includes activated carbon particles; a binder material interspersed with the activated carbon particles; and a lead scavenger coupled to at least one of the activated carbon particles and binder material, the lead scavenger being for removing lead from water, where a lead concentration in a final liter of effluent water filtered by the filter is less than about 10 ?g/liter after about 151 liters (40 gallons) of source water filtration, the source water having a pH of 8.5 and containing 135-165 parts per billion total lead with 30-60 parts per billion thereof being colloidal lead greater than 0.1 ?m in diameter, and where the water has an average flow rate of at least 0.1 liter per minute through the filter with a head pressure of between approximately 0.1 and 1.0 psi.

Abstract: Granules comprise binder-agglomerated active particles for liquid treatment or filtration. Each granule has a center core of a material that itself has binding properties without the addition of other binders or sprays or adhesives, or, alternatively, each granule comprises a matrix of active materials stuck together with the binder. The binder structure preferably ranges from a non-uniform matrix of binder formed by heat-deformed binder particles, to a clump of binder particles generally retaining the original shape or the binder particles, to non-continuous connectors of binder between active particles. The invented two-part media has high surface area per volume of media, which, because the outer surface and inner void surfaces of the particles are preferably substantially covered with active particles, translates to high activity for the preferred treatment process.

Abstract: Granules comprise binder-agglomerated active particles for liquid treatment or filtration. Each granule has a center core of a material that itself has binding properties without the addition of other binders or sprays or adhesives, or, alternatively, each granule comprises a matrix of active materials stuck together with the binder. The binder structure preferably ranges from a non-uniform matrix of binder formed by heat-deformed binder particles, to a clump of binder particles generally retaining the original shape or the binder particles, to non-continuous connectors of binder between active particles. The invented two-part media has high surface area per volume of media, which, because the outer surface and inner void surfaces of the particles are preferably substantially covered with active particles, translates to high activity for the preferred treatment process.