Understanding how your system operates
Water Softening Process
The smallest units that make up chemical compounds and still retain the properties of
those compounds are called molecules. Molecules are made up of atoms or groups of
atoms. Electrically charged atoms are called ions. The charge of a single ion can be
either positive or negative - Ions of metals and of hydrogen are usually positively
charged and are called cations. Ions such as chlorine, nitrate, phosphate, fluoride
and sulfates are negatively charged and called anions.
Certain insoluble materials are made up of large ions forming a skeletal structure
containing oppositely charged ions. These ions can be exchanged with other similar ions
in an ion exchange.
The first commercial application of ion exchange was water softening in 1905. Since
then, ion exchange has been the most reliable method of softening and conditioning
water in homes and industry.
The Softening of water by ion exchange relies on the replacement of the calcium and
magnesium ions in the water by an equivalent number of sodium ions.
The Softening process may be illustrated by the following equation:
R2. Na +
Ca(HCO3)2 =
R2. Ca +
2NaHCO3
Sodium Ion Exchange Resin Calcium Bicarbonate in water Calcium Ion Exchange
Resin
Sodium Bicarbonate
in Water
Obviously, the system can only exchange a certain amount of hardness and other
contaminants before becoming exhausted. This is referred to as the capacity of the resin.
The capacity of the resin is referred to as grains of calcium carbonate hardness removed
per cubic foot of resin or Milliequivalents per liter. When the capacity has been
exhausted, the resin needs to be regenerated with a solution of sodium chloride (brine)
as follows:
Your
Patriot Pro
SXTI System can be regenerated with Potassium Chloride if
desired
.
R2.Ca +
2NaCl =
2 R.Na +
CaCl2
Calcium Ion Exchange
Resin
Sodium Chloride Brine
Sodium Ion Exchange Resin Calcium Chloride Waste
Over the years the composition of ion exchange media has advanced, reflecting
sophisticated global technological advances.
Ion exchange resins used in your Patriot Pro SXTI System are made in the USA,
without harmful toxic solvents.
Summary of Contents for Pro SXTi
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