Water Softener
Weichwassermeister
®
GSX 5, GSX 10, GSX 10-I
Order no. 075 187 970-inter Edited by: KONS-nkes-mrie G:\BA-187970-INTER_GSX 5-10.DOC
11
3 | Ion exchange
Fig. B-1: Initial state
The exchange of calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions causes the
water to become soft.
Principle
The hard raw water flows through an exchanger tank. This tank is filled
with a resin to which sodium ions are bonded at certain positions (refer to
fig. B-1).
Since these bonding positions at the resin prefer calcium and magnesium
ions to sodium ions, such ions are retained while the resin discharges sodi-
um ions into the water (exchange reaction). This way, all substances caus-
ing hardness remain in the exchanger tank. Soft water, loaded with sodi-
um ions, leaves the exchanger tank (fig. B-2). This process continues until
the sodium ions are used up.
Fig. B-2: Operation
The exchange reaction can be reversed if a large amount of sodium ions
(salt solution = brine) is added (fig. B-3). By their sheer number, they re-
place the calcium and magnesium ions at the docking positions of the res-
in.
This process restores the initial state. The ion exchanger is regenerated and
is again ready for softening.
Drinking water (raw water)
For reasons of corrosion protection, a water hardness of at least 3 °dH
(5,3 °f, 0,53 mmol/l is recommendable. According to the German Drinking
Water Ordinance, the limit value for sodium ions (200 mg/l) must not be
exceeded. This is achieved by adding untreated drinking water (raw water),
a process which is also called “blending”.
Fig. B-3: Regeneration
Note
: Many popular mineral waters contain significantly more
sodium ions. Check for yourself by looking at the analysis results
on the labels.
sodium ions
calcium ions
magnesium ions
Resin
Resin
Resin
Soft water
Hard water
Brine
Waste water
