Water softening plant
Hard water is frequently unsuitable for many industrial and domestic purpose. When water is referred to as ‘Hard’ it simply means, that it contains excess of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) Ions than normal water.
Carbonate hardness is known as temporary hardness and non-carbonate hardness is known as permanent hardness. The degree of hardness of the water increases, when more calcium and magnesium ions are dissolves. These ions have their origins in limestone sediments and also from carbon dioxide which is present in all waters exposed to the atmosphere and especially in ground water. The easiest way to soft the hard water is through Ion exchange process.
HASSLES OF HARDNESS :-
1. Hard water reacts adversely with detergents. It means even on your little (baby) ones’ Soft towels turn rough on their soft skin.
2. Soaps and shampoos do not lather and leave you feeling unwashed. Your skin gets dry. Hard water makes hair dry and rough leads to hair loss.
3. Hard water causes residual deposit and scale builds up. Damaging your appliances such as heaters, washing machines, showers, dishwashers etc. Appliances life comes down by 45%; their maintenance cost goes up by 25%. Causes deterioration and fading of fabrics. Also reduces fabric life by 15%.
4. Hard water leaves scales which clog pipes, faucets, valves and fixtures. Hard water reduces the cleaning power of detergents. Soft water reduces detergents requirements by about 70%.
5. Makes the food and water taste different. Cooking takes longer than ever before. Cooking gas consumption increases by 30%. Causes scale deposit on utensils.
WATER SOFTENING PROCESS :-
Softening is the ion exchange process, it is done through resin, the most common and probably the easiest method of removing hardness (that is calcium and magnesium) from water and suitable for utility purpose. As the name implies ion exchange is a process in which undesirable ions are exchanged for more desirable ions. The softening process consists of passing raw water containing hardness through a bed of cation resin in sodium form. The hardness ions Ca & Mg are taken up by resin and in exchange, the sodium ions are relinquished from the resin. This is called the service cycle, where the hard water is being softened.