Birm Iron Removal Media – 1 Cubic Foot Bag | UV Water Systems Oman

Iron Removal Filter Oman Muscat – iron and manganese contamination is a common problem in Oman’s groundwater. Wells in Batinah, Sharqiyah, and interior regions often produce water with dissolved iron concentrations of 0.5–10 mg/L and manganese of 0.1–2 mg/L.

At these concentrations, iron causes red-brown staining on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and appliances. Manganese produces black staining and an unpleasant metallic taste.

The Oman drinking water standard limits iron to 0.3 mg/L and manganese to 0.1 mg/L.

Birm filter media, supplied by UV Water Systems in Muscat, is a catalytic filtration media manufactured from lightweight expanded shale with a manganese dioxide coating that removes iron and manganese from groundwater through catalytic oxidation without the need for chemical regenerants like potassium permanganate.

How the Iron Removal Filter Oman Muscat Works

When well water containing dissolved ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) passes through the Birm media bed, the manganese dioxide coating on the Birm granules acts as a catalyst, accelerating the natural oxidation of dissolved iron to insoluble ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)₃). The insoluble iron particles are then trapped within the Birm bed and removed by periodic backwashing.

The process does not consume the catalytic coating — oxygen dissolved in the feed water is the oxidant, meaning no chemical addition is required. For the iron removal filter Oman Muscat catalytic process to function, feed water must contain a minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) of 15% of the iron concentration, and pH must be 6.8 or above. An aeration step ahead of the Birm filter is sometimes required for deep well water with low dissolved oxygen.

Key Features and Benefits

Chemical-free iron removal: Uses dissolved oxygen as the oxidant instead of potassium permanganate or chlorine – no chemical purchase, storage, or dosing equipment required, which lowers operational complexity and cost.
Simultaneous iron and manganese removal: One media bed handles both contaminants — simplifying the treatment system compared to processes that require separate oxidation and filtration stages for each.
Long media life: Birm’s catalytic surface is regenerated continuously by the dissolved oxygen in the feed water. Under correct operating conditions, Birm media life exceeds 5 years with periodic backwashing.
Low media density: Birm’s lightweight structure requires lower backwash flow rates than heavy silica sand — reducing pump sizing requirements and backwash water consumption.
NSF/ANSI 61 certified: The Birm media used by UV Water Systems is certified for contact with potable water, confirming that no harmful leachables are introduced to the treated water supply.

Technical Specifications

Pack size: 1 cubic foot bag (~13 kg)
Effective size: 0.6–0.8 mm
Uniformity coefficient: ≤1.7
Operating pH: ≥6.8
Min. dissolved oxygen: 15% of iron concentration
Service flow rate: 5–7.5 m/hour surface loading

Iron Removal Filter Oman Muscat Applications

Birm iron removal filters are used in residential and commercial well water treatment systems across Oman’s interior and coastal regions where groundwater iron and manganese concentrations exceed potable water standards. UV Water Systems supplies Birm media and complete iron removal filter systems with automatic backwash control valves, installed and commissioned across Muscat and Oman.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my feed water pH is below 6.8? Birm requires a minimum pH of 6.8 for the catalytic oxidation process to function. If your well water is acidic, UV Water Systems will include a calcite acid neutralisation filter (UVS-FM-070) ahead of the Birm iron removal filter Oman Muscat to raise the pH before iron removal treatment.

How do I test my well water for iron and manganese? UV Water Systems carries out on-site water quality testing in Muscat and can arrange laboratory analysis for clients in other wilayats.

UV Water Systems is an ISO 9001:2015 certified water treatment company based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, with 14+ years of experience.

We supply, install, and service water treatment solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial clients across Oman. Call +968 9763 7786 or visit www.uvwater.biz.

Groundwater Iron

Birm Iron Removal Filter Media 1 Cubic Foot – UV Water Systems Oman