Flaws in the design of Fe(0)-based filtration systems?

Use of metallic iron (Fe(0)) for water treatment has attracted much attention over the passed two decades. Achieved results have recalled that the formation of voluminous, low-soluble iron oxides and hydroxides within the system is ubiquitous at pH > 4.0. These properties imply that efficiency and porosity of Fe(0)-based filtration systems will decrease in the long-term. Some methods have been suggested to solve the identified problems. However, they could be collectively regarded as weak because they are based on a false description of the system. This note reveals two major inherent flaws in the design of Fe(0)-based filters and shows ways to fix them.