As much as the body requires a certain amount of minerals for specific functions, too much of it can be harmful. The underlying rocks that support the well waters have different mineral components that make the water hard and harmful for domestic use. In addition, there could also be reactions, especially when dealing with calcium products like milk. This is the point you now need to soften the water as a surety for use. The overall goal of water softening is just to remain with sodium as the only ion. Since time immemorial there are many processes involved in softening water. The method depends on many factors of which some of them include
- Picking the right model of Well Waters Softener
- Cost of softening
- Availability of raw materials
- Level of technology
In perspective, we will look at four processes that make you enjoy the benefits of soft water.
i. Ion-exchange method
In chemical reactivity, the reactivity series provides the ranks of different minerals and the rate of reactions. An ion with high reactive series removes ions from a lesser reactive mineral. Our aim is just to remain with the sodium ions in the water. In this method, resins with magnesium and potassium ions are exposed to the water to react with them. The advantage of this is the calcium is at a lower level hence easy ion exchange. At the end of the process, the water is exposed to sodium or potassium hydroxide for regeneration leaving the water easy to handle. These are some of the components in the soap that turn hard water into the fatty components and further lead to the formation of form for laundry operations.
ii. Lime softening
Lime is mainly composed of calcium bicarbonate which is a base that reacts to the ion of higher reactivity series that calcium; in this case- potassium and magnesium. The softening in this method means that all the ions in the hard water are broken to smaller particles which are easy to manage and handle. In fact, it is the most common method in commercial water treatment options. It is in the form of crystals or powder which is simply exposed to the hard water. Once they are broken down, the water has sediments which settle at the bottom of the water tanks. You have many options when it comes to distilling the soft water. This is a method that you have to make sure you get the right quality of lime that is exposed to the hard water to get desired results.
iii. Chemical analyzers
Have you asked yourself the components of some of the hair products in the form of shampoos? This is the work of chelating agents that acts also as water softeners. The main component is the citric acid which has the same effect as the potassium and magnesium ion when exposed to hard water. There are areas where sodium phytate and other organic compounds are exposed to well waters- which are naturally hard to have a smooth feeling. Before you choose on whichever method, you have to make sure you test the level of toxicity of the hard water to determine the method and quantity of the chemicals that you need to expose to the well for softening. Soft water has many advantages especially when it comes to water for domestic use. There is no need for abandoning the well water because of the water hardness when there are numerous options to soften it.
