How water softeners work

Water with high mineral levels is commonly known as hard water, and it contains high levels of magnesium and calcium ions with soft type having lower levels of these elements. Other elements that are predominant elements include the sulfates and bicarbonate variants. Hardness can either be temporary or permanent. Temporary hardness can be removed by just boiling whereas permanent hardness can only be done using water softeners.

In simple terms, these softeners are just filters that help to remove these elements. Once they are removed, it softens. The process involves replacing both the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ones.

Some of the problems that may arise as a result of using hard water include increased electricity bills as a result of accumulation of insulation clog in your heating appliances, malfunction in laundry machines and not forgetting the taste that some people complain it leaves in the mouth. Another annoying thing is how it forms a sticky froth when it reacts with detergents and soaps making laundry and bathing a terrible experience.

Water softeners have three major components; the saline tank, regulator and a mineral tank. More so, these softeners contain plastic beads called zeolites which contain sodium ions that are responsible for the substitution of magnesium and calcium ions as water passes through. Since zeolites are negatively charged whereas calcium and magnesium charges have a positive charge the attraction of these negative and positive charges results to softening of this precious commodity.

Saline tank contains a substance called brine, which is basically a high concentration of saline liquid. This solution is responsible for recharging process. It does so by removing the accumulated hard water charges.

The regulator is responsible for controlling the regeneration of the zeolites, which is computerized to enhance the process. When they have exhausted the sodium ions, the regulator pumps the saline solution which in turn recharges these beads by re-coating them with sodium.

Nowadays, it is possible to find electromagnetic softeners which use an electromagnetic spectrum to remove hardness. More efficient systems are still coming up and only time will tell what future holds for us.