JAMES CUMMING & SONS

Garnet Gravels Support Filter Media

Enhance filtration efficiency with garnet filtration media

Optimise the performance of multimedia or dual media filtration systems with garnet filtration media. This media provides durability and consistent performance in settings like municipal water treatment facilities, industrial wastewater management and desalination plants. Its higher bulk density maximises space within the filter, which allows for additional filtration layers that improve plant throughput and overall efficiency.

Finer grades of Garnet filtration media can also provide effective physical filtration, similar to Filter Coal, which is used for sediment capture and pre-filtration. It is also used as a support media underneath activated carbon, which excels at adsorption of organic contaminants.

Maintain the functionality of filtration systems with garnet filtration media. For a quote or to request a data sheet, reach out to our team or explore our product information today.

Product description

Our Garnet Gravel Filter Media, is characterised by deep-brownish red angular granules, is composed of natural almandite garnet. The unique minerology of Garnet gives it the appropriate physical characteristics that make it an ideal support filter media in multi-media or dual media filtration systems.

Relied upon for its chemical inertness and absence of toxic metals, it has an ideal specific gravity and bulk density, low acid solubility and consistent particle sizing for use in support media. The advantage of Garnet Gravel as opposed to Silica gravel is that due to it’s bulk density, it takes up less space in the filter, meaning more room for the filtration media layers above, increasing plant through put when compared to Silica Gravels with a lower bulk density. Increasing the filter media above the support layers, ensures you’re giving the depth of media the greatest contact time or void space possible, depending on the media configuration above and the quality of the raw water being fed through the plant.

One of the core purposes of support filter medias are so that the filtration media layers above it, don’t escape down through the filter floor and block up the nozzles when a treatment plant is performing a backwash, so the particle sizing of the product is also of importance, as you don’t want the finer particles of the grade sitting above the floor also smaller than the aperture of the nozzles.

Garnet Gravel when utilised as a support layer for granular filter media in water treatment, guarantees consistent prolonged performance across a range of water treatment plants & processes.

Garnet Gravel

Stock Particle Sizing and Ranges

0.25mm (60 mesh)

0.3-0.6mm (30 x 50 mesh)

0.6-1.2mm (16 x 30 mesh)

1.2-2.4mm (8 x 16 mesh)

2.4-4.8mm (4×8 mesh)

4.8-9.6mm (2×4 mesh)

 

Mineral Composition

Garnet – minimum 90%
Feldspar & Quartz – minimum 2%
Biotite & others – maximum 0.25%

Packaging process

Packaging

  • Our support filter media is typically packaged in woven polypropylene bulk bags of 1,000kgs.
  • Or in small sacks, each sack weighs 25kg, with 40 sacks per pallet.

Projects

Sydney Desalination
Plant

In response to declining water levels, Sydney Water obtained approval for a Seawater Desalination Plant. Pilot testing favoured coarse dual-media filtration. We supplied C & S Brand Australian Filter Coal, on time and to exact specification.

Qurayyat Desalination
Plant

This plant is in operation to address water shortages in Muscat, Oman and surrounds. We supplied 2,210 cubic metres of C & S Brand Australian Filter Coal, delivered on time, to exact specifications.

Dungog WTP

This was the first contact filtration plant in Australia to use large effective size media, after pilot plant work by the Hunter Water Corporation. It was also the first to use C & S Brand Australian Filter Coal and remains an industry frontrunner with long-term results, durability and consistency.

 

Barangaroo Lendlease
Grand Casino

We supplied premium C&S Brand Australian Activated Carbon while transforming a former gas works site into a modern casino and hotel, effectively eliminating odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and adding to Sydney’s evolving skyline.

Mt Crosby
Eastbank

This refurbishment project included converting 20 mono-media sand filters to dual-media filters with C&S Brand Australian Filter Coal. It extended filter run times, reduced backwashing frequency and improved plant performance, surpassing client expectations.

FAQs

What makes garnet filtration media more effective than silica filtration media?

While both garnet and silica filtration media are effective as support medias, garnet’s unique properties make it a superior choice for many water filtration applications, especially those requiring high-quality water and efficient operation. Our Garnet Gravels have smaller and denser particles than silica gravel that enables our operators to have more volume of filtration media above the layers of Garnet Gravel, improving capacity and throughput of the system.

Due to its stability and efficient filtration, garnet filtration media can extend filter run times and reduce the frequency of backwashing. Its resistance to stratification minimises water waste during backwashing, promoting water conservation.

How does garnet filtration media support backwashing operations in water treatment systems?

During backwashing, water is forced upward through the filter bed, loosening and removing trapped particles. Garnet’s high density prevents it from being easily displaced during this process, so that the filter bed remains stable, and the media layers do not mix. This stability allows for efficient backwashing, where the finer media can be effectively cleaned without being lost or migrating to other layers. By maintaining the integrity of the filter bed, garnet helps to prolong the filter’s lifespan and optimise its performance.

What are the practical applications of garnet filtration media?

Our Garnet Gravels can be applied in various water treatment systems, including:

  • Municipal water treatment
  • Industrial water treatment
  • Swimming pool filtration
  • Aquarium filtration

Finer Garnet filtration media removes suspended solids, turbidity and contaminants, making it beneficial for drinking water treatments in municipal systems. Additionally, its durability and chemical stability help maintain water clarity and hygiene in swimming pools and aquariums.

Our Garnet Gravels can be applied in various water treatment systems, including:

  • Municipal water treatment
  • Industrial water treatment
  • Swimming pool filtration
  • Aquarium filtration

Finer Garnet filtration media removes suspended solids, turbidity and contaminants, making it beneficial for drinking water treatments in municipal systems. Additionally, its durability and chemical stability help maintain water clarity and hygiene in swimming pools and aquariums.

Generally, garnet filtration media should last for indefinitely without needing replacement. Regular monitoring and inspections of your filter gallery should ensure you’re running your filtration system and optimising it’s performance.. Consult with water treatment professionals or process engineers to determine the optimal replacement schedule for your specific filtration system.

Does garnet filtration media affect the taste or quality of the treated water?

Garnet media, like our Garnet Gravels, does not affect the taste or quality of treated water. It is chemically inert, meaning it does not react with the water or the chemicals used in the filtration process. Garnet’s primary function is to physically remove impurities without altering the water’s chemical composition or taste. In fact, by improving water clarity and removing undesirable particles, garnet can contribute to a more pleasant drinking experience.

Contact us

for your Filter Coal, Activated Carbon and Carbon additive needs

    Which James Cumming products are of interest?

    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon
    icon