What is ion exchange in soft water systems? [Basic Knowledge]

Why is hard water the source of scale? An explanation of WHO standards and the mechanism of ion exchange.

■What is the role of a soft water system? To prevent scale buildup, it is necessary to remove the hardness components from the water supplied to the boiler. When hard water (water containing hardness components) passes through a soft water system, the hardness components are removed, resulting in soft water (water without hardness components). ■What is water hardness? In simple terms, water that contains relatively high levels of calcium and magnesium is considered hard water. According to the WHO (World Health Organization) standards, it is defined as follows: - Less than 60 mg/l: "soft water" - Between 60 and 120 mg/l: "moderately soft water" - Between 120 and 180 mg/l: "hard water" - 180 mg/l or more: "very hard water" ■How is hardness removed? A typical soft water system works by using ion exchange resin to replace calcium and magnesium ions in the water with sodium ions. Since sodium is less likely to cause scale, the water that passes through becomes soft water. When the resin's exchange capacity decreases, it is regenerated by passing brine through it for repeated use. ■Summary Hardness components are often overlooked because they are not visible, but they are an important factor in the foundation of scale prevention for boilers. Please feel free to consult with us first.

Water Treatment ChemicalsboilerWater purifiers/water softeners