The water softener is a product that belongs to the category of water ion exchangers and performs treatment - softening of primary water. In this article, it will be analyzed, as simply as possible - comprehensibly, that is related to the product - system in question.
What is water hardness?
By the term water hardness, we mainly refer to the concentration of salts, which are derived - created, for the most part, by calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++) ions, which are (naturally) present in primary water. The hardness of the water is due to the rocks (mainly limestone) of the subsoil, through which the rainwater passes. For this very reason, underground water (wells) is much "harder" than surface water (lakes).
Water hardness is measured in: German Degrees (°d) or French Degrees (°f) or in mg/l calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The corresponding table at the end of the article shows the correlation of these units.
Depending on the content of calcium and magnesium salts, the water is characterized from "Very Soft" to "Very Hard". The corresponding table at the end of the article presents the characteristics, in relation to the hardness of the water.
Examples:
– The water of Athens has an average hardness of ~100mg/lt CaCO3, i.e. it is classified as "Semi-hard Water".
– The water of Thessaloniki has an average hardness of ~150mg/lt CaCO3, i.e. it is characterized as "Relatively Hard Water".
What are the problems - effects of hard water
The salts of calcium and magnesium ions tend to precipitate, creating a precipitate. The sediment (stone), adheres to the (mainly metal) surfaces, with very negative results, such as: Clogging of water pipes, clogging of nozzles (steam ovens, ice machines, washing machines, etc.), reduction of performance initially and then destruction of electric water heating elements (water heaters, boilers, washing machines, kettles, etc.), unsatisfactory result of washing (objects), high consumption of detergents and softeners (where these are required), etc.
As a rule, ~90% of the sediment in water comes from the aforementioned ions. If, in any way, it is possible to eliminate these ions and by extension their salts, then the treated water will present up to 90% less deposits - sediment!
Hard water can be tolerated in several household water uses such as garden watering and general washing. But for other uses such as drinking, bathing, washing dishes and clothes, hard water is not as effective as soft water.
For example:
Less soap and cleaning products are used with soft water.
Reduces hard-to-remove soap scum and bathroom scum.
Soap residue stays on surfaces and leaves stains on dishes, glasses and surfaces.
When hard water is heated in the water heater, it creates deposits. These clog the plumbing and "build" on the inner side of the water heater. We may thus have increased costs in energy bills and lead to rapid obsolescence of devices until their expensive replacement is necessary.
The soap residue is difficult to remove and remains on the skin after bathing. It fills the pores of the skin and covers the hair. It is also a fertile ground for the growth of microbes and can create itching and redness on the skin.
Hardness can also create an undesirable taste in drinking water, in cooked foods with vegetables and create "cloudy" ice cubes.
What is water softening?
Water softening is the method in which calcium and magnesium ions are "exchanged" for sodium (Na) ions, whose salts are not deposited. The specific ion exchange is achieved by passing the water (specific flow – speed) through special (for this purpose) resins. The softening resins are "charged" with sodium (Na) and when they come into contact with the calcium and magnesium ions of the water, the ion exchange takes place.
The softening resins, at some point, undergo saturation, as a result of which they are no longer able to carry out ion exchange. At this point, their regeneration is required. Regeneration is the process, in which the resins return (theoretically) to their original state (de-saturation) and this is achieved by washing them with a concentrated solution of sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly salt water. The treatment product, which performs the softening of the primary water, but also the regeneration of the softening resins (manually or automatically) is called a water softener.
What is a water softener?
The water softener is a product (system), which is applied for the purpose of producing - yielding - softened - "soft" water. Each softener consists of 3 main parts:
The head, which takes over (through valves) all the functions of the softener (processing, washing, regeneration, etc.)
The resin vessel (column), which contains the softening resins
The brine tank, which contains the salt water
The operation of each softener is simple and the basic stages are as follows:
Normal Operation: Primary water (through the head) passes through the column of resins (where the ion exchange takes place) and exits the head again softened - "soft".
Washing: When the resins are saturated, the head first washes, reversing the flow of water on the column and discharging it to the drain.
Regeneration: The head performs regeneration, by aspirating salt water (from the brine tank) and filling the column of resins to achieve ion exchange.
Washing: The head carries out washing, emptying the condensate (water, rich in calcium and magnesium) into the drain and additional washings.
Replenishment: The head adds the required amount of water to the brine tank to create a new saturated brine solution for the next regeneration.
The water softener is by no means a Plug & Play device! Its selection requires data collection, analysis, dimensioning and study. Only in this way is it possible to choose it correctly and by extension any positive - requested results of its application.
What are the requirements for the installation and operation of a water softener?
Installation: To install any softener, you will need:
Plumbing waits (water inlet, water outlet, drainage)
Electrical standby (socket, near softener)
Operation: For the softener to work properly, it is necessary to feed the brine container with coarse salt, periodically.
Maintenance: Practically any softener does not require periodic maintenance. Technical intervention is carried out only when a malfunction - problem occurs or when (after a respectable period of time) the replacement of resins is required.
Specifics & Important Details
Softened water is "rich" in sodium (Na) and any use of it for direct or indirect human consumption or irrigation use is contraindicated - prohibited.
The only way to use the softened water for direct or indirect human consumption or irrigation use is its subsequent treatment by a reverse osmosis - water desalination unit.
Softening should in no way be characterized as descaling and the softener is not a descaler (as many mistakenly call it)!
The outgoing (softened – “soft”) water still contains the same amount of salts, but of a different chemical composition (as a result, they do not settle).
Ion exchange – softening achieves a scale reduction (at best) of up to ~90%, but not 100%!
To achieve complete elimination of deposits (~100%) either a deionization unit or a reverse osmosis - water desalination unit is applied.
Applying a softener is not possible if the primary water has high values of certain parameters (e.g. chlorides).
For this very reason, in addition to all the other data that will be presented to the researcher, the physicochemical analysis of primary water is required.
Applying a softener to raw water containing high amounts of residual chlorine results in rapid deterioration – destruction of the softening resins.
For this very reason, in theory, at least a reduction, if not elimination, of residual chlorine is required before the respective softener.
Applying a water softener to water that contains high amounts of iron, manganese or natural organic materials can result in yellowed water.
If you experience a yellowish water flow, which looks like seawater, don't worry.
Now that the hardness has been removed by the softener, everything looks perfect. However, in many cases, the water turns yellow after the softening process.
In some waters, dissolved iron components are the main cause of yellowing of the water. The solution in this case is to make sure of the suitability of the pipes that end up in your space. Another solution is to check the water for any presence of bacteria or magnesium, which can also cause the water to turn yellow.
In any case, contact us to find the right solution to your water softening.
