GAC reactor flow vs GFO reactor flow

[jiminy_crime]

So I currently have my GAC reactor wide open for max flow because I have little space between both foam pads to prevent tumbling of the ROX n the reactor. This is what the tell you to do on BRS in their reactors as well.

I have always had the GFO reactor on minimum flow to get a little tumbling of the GFO in the reactor but wanted to know why the GFO must tumble? Couldn't you just reduce the space between both foam pads just like the GAC and open the flow wide open for max flow? This would prevent the GFO from being pulverized and you would get more water pushed through the reactor. It sounds like the way to go.

The only thing I can think of is with less flow, the water gets more contact time with the GFO...is this the reason?

 

[JammyBirch]

So I currently have my GAC reactor wide open for max flow because I have little space between both foam pads to prevent tumbling of the ROX n the reactor. This is what the tell you to do on BRS in their reactors as well.

I have always had the GFO reactor on minimum flow to get a little tumbling of the GFO in the reactor but wanted to know why the GFO must tumble? Couldn't you just reduce the space between both foam pads just like the GAC and open the flow wide open for max flow? This would prevent the GFO from being pulverized and you would get more water pushed through the reactor. It sounds like the way to go.

The only thing I can think of is with less flow, the water gets more contact time with the GFO...is this the reason?

Tumbling GFO is only so the GFO doesn't become a hard PITA to get out once you're done with it. I guess the reduced flow would increase the residence time the water spends on the GFO but to be honest the GFO is going to grab what it's going to grab.

Wow i typed GFO a lot up there...i don't use the stuff anymore, i use an ATS now...way better.

I don't know about the reactor you're mentioning, but when i run GAC i use low flow to keep it from grinding into powder...i use a two little fishes reactor for that.

 

[downbeach]

Contact time is important for both media's, as mentioned the GFO needs to be kept fluidized to prevent it from becoming a solid brick, I found that using an MJ600 was enough flow for me, and didn't need to use the ball valve that came with the BRS reactor. The GAC on the other hand should be kept as still as possible to keep it from grinding itself into fines(a potential cause of HLLE). I used to run my GAC in reverse flow and used an MJ400 pump on this reactor.