AFM s vs ng media: Selecting the Right Activated Filter Media for Industrial Use

For industrial facility managers in Indonesia, water treatment is not just about clarity; it is about operational continuity. The failure of a pre-treatment system often leads to rapid fouling of Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes, resulting in unplanned downtime and skyrocketing operational costs. As the industry moves away from silica sand, the debate now centers on AFM s vs ng media.

Choosing the correct grade of Activated Filter Media (AFM) is critical for optimizing your Water Treatment Plant (WTP) or Desalination (SWRO) system. This article breaks down the technical differences to help you make an informed procurement decision.

Understanding the Core Technology: What is AFM?

Before diving into the AFM s vs ng media comparison, it is essential to understand why AFM outperforms traditional sand. Unlike crushed glass or silica sand, AFM is manufactured from processed green and brown glass that undergoes a specific chemical activation process.

This process increases the surface area up to 300 times compared to sand and creates a “self-sterilizing” surface. This feature prevents the growth of biofilm—the slimy bacterial layer that causes channeling and inconsistent filtration in standard sand filters.

Detailed Breakdown: AFM s vs ng media

The manufacturer, Dryden Aqua, produces two distinct types of activated media. While both offer superior filtration over sand, they serve different technical requirements.

AFM Grade s (Standard): The Negatively Charged Defender

AFM ‘s’ (Standard) is the established benchmark for high-performance filtration. During manufacturing, the glass surface acquires a strong negative zeta potential.

• Mechanism: The negative charge repels bacteria, preventing them from adhering to the media. This prevents biofilm formation, ensuring that the filter bed remains clean and predictable.
• Performance: It effectively removes heavy metals and reduces turbidity.
• Best Use: Swimming pools, aquaculture, and standard pre-filtration where biofouling control is the primary concern.

AFM Grade ng (Next Generation): The Hydrophobic Specialist

The ‘ng’ stands for “Next Generation.” This media undergoes a different activation process to make the surface hydrophobic (water-repelling) while maintaining a neutral charge.

• Mechanism: Because organic contaminants and microplastics are typically non-polar (hydrophobic), they are attracted to the hydrophobic surface of AFM ng like a magnet.
• Performance: It offers a finer filtration rating. While AFM s filters down to 4 microns, AFM ng achieves a filtration rating of 1 micron.
• Best Use: Industrial wastewater, tertiary treatment, and protection of high-value SWRO membranes where removing organics and microplastics is non-negotiable.

Comparative Performance: The Verdict

To visualize the AFM s vs ng media difference, consider this comparison of capabilities relevant to Indonesian industrial standards:

Feature	AFM s (Standard)	AFM ng (Next Gen)
Surface Chemistry	Negatively Charged	Hydrophobic (Neutral)
Filtration Rating	~4 Microns	1 Micron
Organic Removal	Good	Excellent
Microplastic Removal	Moderate	Superior
Bio-Resistance	High	High
Application	General Water Treatment	Critical RO Pre-treatment

Why Your Choice Matters for RO Protection

For plants utilizing Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) or Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO), the Silt Density Index (SDI) is a key performance indicator. High SDI values effectively kill RO membranes.

By utilizing AFM ng, you can significantly lower the SDI compared to sand or standard glass. The removal of sub-micron particles and organics means your RO membranes require less frequent Chemical Cleaning (CIP). This directly extends the lifespan of your membranes, which you can source directly through our Reverse Osmosis Membrane catalog.

Furthermore, reliable pre-treatment reduces the energy load on high-pressure pumps, contributing to lower operational expenses (OPEX).

Case Application: When to Upgrade to ng?

If your facility faces strict environmental regulations regarding microplastics or deals with high organic loads (TOC), the upgrade to AFM ng is justified. For example, textile or pharmaceutical plants in Java often struggle with complex wastewater streams. In these scenarios, the superior adsorption capacity of AFM ng provides the necessary buffer to ensure compliant effluent discharge.

However, procurement involves more than just buying media; it requires engineering the system for backwash efficiency and flow rates.

Sustainable Partnership with Gapura Liqua Solutions

At PT. Gapura Liqua Solutions, we do not just supply media; we engineer solutions. Whether you are retrofitting an existing sand filter or designing a new desalination plant, our team ensures that the AFM s vs ng media decision aligns with your long-term commercial goals.

We provide end-to-end support, from selecting the right media grade to full-scale engineering and maintenance. For urgent replacements or pilot tests, you can also view our ready stock components on Tokopedia.

Conclusion

The debate of AFM s vs ng media ultimately depends on your water quality targets. AFM s offers robust bio-resistance for general applications, while AFM ng delivers precision filtration for critical industrial processes and RO protection.

Do not gamble with water quality. Secure your operation’s reliability today. Contact PT. Gapura Liqua Solutions for a technical consultation and ensure your filtration system is built for the future.