Natural water contains various minerals dissolved as cations and anions, such as Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、Na⁺、HCO₃^－、SO₄^2-、CL^-  etc. When the water is heated, agitated, or is subjected to decreased pressure, the dissolved minerals, especifically calcium and magnesium, come out of solution (scale formation) and attach to pipelines and hot water systems. The scale building up over time will eventually clog pipe. For example, in the high temperature environment within the boiler, the formed scale coats the heat transfer surfaces, acting as an insulator to impede heat transfer,causing lost efficiency, increased maintenance and operating costs.

The softening process:

The softener tank filled with resin beads which covered with sodium ions, as water passes through, the resin beads stick into the calcium and magnesium ions in exchange for sodium ions. Eventually when the resin beads saturated with calcium and magnesium ions, they gradually lose their effectiveness and must be regenerated by passing strong brine solution, the sodium ions in the brine solution replace calcium and magnesium ions from the resin beads, then gets flushed out of the system, this process is controled by the control valve on the top of the tank.

Operating Conditions of Softening Equipments