What is KDF and what is Chlorgon?

KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) and Chlorgon are different brand names for an alloy of copper and zinc that is used in shower filters and some drinking water filters. It removes free chlorine from water by reversing the electrochemical process that originally produced the chlorine. Chlorine is created by separating chloride ions from sodium in a brine solution.

Because copper and zinc are dissimilar metals, a molecular tension is created between the two metals as water passes through Chlorgon or the KDF media. This galvanic action produces a mild electrical charge enabling the chlorine to combine with a metal ion, in this case zinc. The result is the formation of soluble zinc chloride which is washed out of the filter and is harmless to humans. Free chlorine is extremely reactive and seeking to re-unite with another element. In the absence of an electrical charge it combines with organic matter.

An excess of turbidity in the incoming water can interfere with this galvanic action, lessening Chlorgon or KDF’s ability to remove free chlorine. For this reason, the life of a filter that contains KDF or Chlorgon is related to the particulate level of the water it filters as well as the the number of gallons that pass through it.

KDF and Chlorgon have bacteriostatic properties which means that they do not support the growth of bacteria however these media are not capable of killing bacteria (bactericidal).

Chlorgon and KDF do not remove organic contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trihalomethanes. They can neutralize some heavy metals but not under conditions such as exist in a shower filter where there is insufficient media and a water flow rate that is too fast to provide adequate contact time.

KDF comes in granular and filament form.
Chlorgon comes in granular form and includes some calcium sulfite to facilitate chlorine reduction at lower water temperatures.