Introduction
The ion exchange water softener is one of the most common tools of water treatment. Its function is to remove scale-forming calcium and magnesium ions from hard water. In many cases soluble iron (ferrous) can also be removed with softeners. A standard water softener has four major components: a resin tank, resin, a brine tank and a valve or controller.
The softener resin tank contains the treated ion exchange resin - small beads of polystyrene. The resin beads initially adsorb sodium ions during regeneration. The resin has a greater affinity for multi-valent ions such as calcium and magnesium than it does for sodium. Thus, when the hard water containing the Calcium and Magnesium Ions is passed through the resin bed, the calcium and magnesium ions adhere to the resin, releasing the sodium ions until equilibrium is reached. The water softener has exchanged its sodium ions for the calcium and magnesium ions in the water.<o:p>
Regeneration is achieved by passing a NaCl solution through the resin, exchanging the hardness ions for sodium ions. The resin's affinity for the hardness ions is overcome by using a highly concentrated solution of brine. The regeneration process can be repeated indefinitely without damaging the resin.<o:p>
Hard water is water with a high dissolved mineral content, while soft water has a relatively low concentrated of dissolved minerals. All water, except for water that has been meticulously distilled, will have some dissolved minerals, since water is an excellent solvent and it readily combines with the substances it comes into contact with. High concentrations of minerals can be problematic, however. Hard water is not generally harmful, but it can be irritating and will shorten the life of home appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.
The most common minerals dissolved in household water are calcium and magnesium, although other minerals may certainly be present as well. These substances can cause serious problems for home appliances when they precipitate out, forming a characteristic scale that may accumulate in pipes and around faucets. If the scale is not promptly removed, it can start to clog pipes and can damage things like water heaters and dishwashers, which cannot cope with the minerals.
Working principle
What does a water softener do?<o:p>
<o:p>
Water softeners are specific ion exchangers that are designed to remove ions, which are positively charged.<o:p>
Softeners mainly remove calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions. Calcium and magnesium are often referred to as 'hardness minerals'.<o:p>
Softeners are sometimes even applied to remove iron. The softening devices are able to remove up to five milligrams per litre (5 mg/L) of dissolved iron.<o:p>
Softeners can operate automatic, semi-automatic, or manual. Each type is rated on the amount of hardness it can remove before regeneration is necessary.<o:p>
<o:p>
A water softener collects hardness minerals within its conditioning tank and from time to time flushes them away to drain.<o:p>
Ion exchangers are often used for water softening. When an ion exchanger is applied for water softening, it will replace the calcium and magnesium ions in the water with other ions, for instance sodium or potassium. The exchanger ions are added to the ion exchanger reservoir as sodium and potassium salts (NaCl and KCl).<o:p>
Application scope of softener
Mainly used in industry and civil water softening preparation, such as Boiler feed water make-up water, air conditioning system make up water, heat exchanger, power plant, chemical, textile, printing and dyeing, bio-pharmaceutical, Electronic system and water pretreatment.
Technical parameters:
| Single tank fluid , |
model |
water output
(M 3 /Hour) |
dimension of can
diameter*height
(mm) |
salt box
(L) |
consumption on resin
(KG) |
Connecting pipe(inch) |
| YL-I-0.5 |
0.5 |
200×1200 |
60 |
25 |
3/4 |
| YL-I-1 |
1 |
250×1400 |
60 |
25 |
1 |
| YL-I-2 |
2 |
300×1400 |
100 |
50 |
1 |
| YL-I-3 |
3 |
350×1650 |
200 |
75 |
1 |
| YL-I-4 |
4 |
400×1800 |
200 |
100 |
1.5 |
| YL-I-5 |
5 |
500×1850 |
200 |
150 |
1.5 |
| YL-I-6 |
6 |
600×1850 |
200 |
200 |
1.5 |
| YL-I-10 |
10 |
750×2400 |
350 |
350 |
2 |
| YL-I-16 |
16 |
900×2400 |
1000 |
600 |
2 |
| YL-I-20 |
20 |
1000×2400 |
1500 |
700 |
3 |
| YL-I-28 |
28 |
1200×2400 |
2000 |
1000 |
3 |
| YL-I-50 |
50 |
1500×2400 |
2000 |
1500 |
3 |
Control mode of fully automatic water softener
(1) Single tank time type: It adopts microcomputer to control the time, when operation of the equipment reaches setting time, it will automatically enter the regeneration condition, which can be regenerated for once a day or once for some day.
(2) Single tank flow type: It adopts control of turbine flow or electronic flow sensor, when the yield of softener reaches preset flow it will automatically enter the regeneration condition, which can be recycled many times every day.
(3) Double tanks flow type: Which could be divided into one running-one alternating, and simultaneous running and separately regeneration.
(4) One running and the other alternation type: One tank is running while the other is alternating, when water yield of operating tank reaches the preset flow rate, it will enter the regeneration stage, meanwhile, the other tank will enter the working state, these two tanks work and regenerate alternatively to realize continuous water supplying of 24 hours.
(5) Simultaneous running and separately regeneration type: Two cans running simultaneously, when the flow rate reaches the setting rate, one tank (can) will regenerate and the other tank will output water continuously, when the first regeneration tank finish the regeneration it will enter the working stage, the other one will enter regeneration stage, these two cans finish regeneration and enter working state simultaneously.
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