Filtration, usually considered a simple mechanical process, actually involves the mechanisms of adsorption (physical and chemical), straining, sedimentation, interception, diffusion, and inertial compaction. Filtration does not remove dissolved solids, but may be used together with a softening process, which does reduce the concentration of dissolved solids. For example, anthracite filtration is used to remove residual precipitated hardness salts remaining after clarification in precipitation softening
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