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Eco-Tec - Ion Exchange Softening, Removal of Calcium and Magnesium
Ion-exchange resins are used to replace the magnesium and calcium ions found in hard water with sodium ions. When the resin is in its regenerated form, it contains sodium ions at its active sites. When in contact with a solution containing magnesium and calcium ions (but a low concentration of sodium ions), the magnesium and calcium ions preferentially migrate out of solution to the active sites on the resin, being replaced in solution by sodium ions. This process reaches equilibrium with a much lower concentration of magnesium and calcium ions in solution than was started with.
Strong acid cation (SAC) ion exchange processes employing only brine regeneration (i.e. no acid or caustic) are much simpler and less expensive, however the SAC process is normally restricted to low TDS (
A new ion exchange softening flow-sheet that uses brine regeneration has been developed based upon the Recoflo short-bed ion exchange process. Recoflo® makes it possible to use extremely high service flow rates through very short (15 cm) resin beds, while achieving low hardness leakages. The key to applying this to high TDS produced water is the use of high purity brine for resin regeneration.