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We’ve all come across the terms hard and soft water, but what exactly do they mean? Put simply, hard water has a high content of calcium and magnesium. When rain falls on rocks such as limestone and chalk, these minerals dissolve, producing hardness: clogged shower heads, limescale build-up on kettle elements, and whitish deposits on bathtubs and sinks are all thanks to this. Conversely, soft water has a low content of calcium and magnesium, and is more user-friendly on appliances and machinery. In commercial and industrial settings, the problem of hard water can be serious, so an industrial water softener is needed to reduce the content of these minerals, in order to prevent damage to plant and equipment. Here’s how. What is a Water Softener and How Does it Work? Used in homes or commercial businesses to reduce the high content of calcium and magnesium, the system works by replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium ions, which don’t cause limescale build-up. It consists of an ion exchange column with resin beads that are saturated with sodium ions. During the purification process, the liquid passes through the resins, where calcium and magnesium minerals are exchanged with sodium ions. Over time, the purification effectiveness of the treatment system decreases, requiring regeneration or rejuvenation. (The purification process stops until the system is regenerated and ready to resume.) Residential and industrial water softeners work in the same way, however residential softeners are smaller. Commercial softeners are larger in order to meet the demand of industrial processes and the rejuvenation of resin beds needs to be much more regular. Simplex and Duplex Systems The ultimate purification process is the same in both these types of systems; the difference lies in the number of ion exchange vessels. The simplex system consists of a single vessel, and during regeneration the supply stops until the system can resume again. With the duplex system, two ion exchange resin vessels alternate. When one column goes through regeneration, another automatically continues the purification process to maintain constant supply and vice versa. The purification process in softeners is all thanks to these three components: The mineral tank: This consists of ion exchange beds and resin beads that facilitate the exchange of calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. The control valve: The control valve has a metre that detects the system’s need for regeneration and measures the supply flow from the system to the building or equipment. The brine tank: This is a tank that contains brine (a liquid with sodium ions), which is used to rejuvenate the resin beads during regeneration to restore the purification effectiveness of the system. Which Industries or Businesses Require a Water Softener? They are used in a vast range of businesses and industries, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, laboratory facilities, car washes, and many more. The results are reduced energy bills, longer service of equipment, constant pressure due to no build-up of limescale, increased efficiency of boilers, and prolonged lifespan. If you care about the profitability of your business and its equipment, then without a doubt you need this kind of treatment system. Water softeners do wonders for commercial and large-scale businesses, but every business has different needs, so for optimal effectiveness a tailored system is preferable. Consult a reputable company for the installation and maintenance of an industrial water softener and reap the benefits. Author Plate Sean Clifford is an advisor at AllWater Technologies Ltd, a wholly independent company providing consultation and water treatment equipment, including industrial water softener systems and effluent treatment plant. Bringing together a host of experience and specialist knowledge, the company is committed to building and maintaining long-term relationships and creating maximum value and benefit for their customers.
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