Installing a water softener filter. Filters and softening systems for a private house or cottage. Characteristics of ion exchange filters for water softening
The problem of hard water is much more serious than it might seem at first glance.
An increased concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in water significantly reduces its organoleptic and taste qualities, poses a certain danger to human health, leads to a rapid failure of plumbing, household appliances, heating systems and a number of other unpleasant consequences.
And to remove hydrogen sulfide - there are several ways, you can learn more and evaluate their effectiveness at the link:
Technologies used for water softening
Thermal water treatment method
Simply put, this is a normal boil.
A good example is the deposition of salts on the inner surface of a constantly used kettle - the dissolved salts turn into a hard fraction, and the water itself softens.
It should be remembered that such a method is effective only for the so-called temporary hardness due to the concentration of calcium or magnesium bicarbonates - thermal exposure causes their splitting, and it does not affect sulfides and chlorides (permanent hardness).
This method is usually used on an industrial scale, cleaning technical water for example, boiler houses or thermal power plants.
Reagent softening
The name speaks for itself - to soften water, it is added to it or it is passed through special substances that cause a chemical reaction with the precipitation of salts into a solid precipitate.
Usually, slaked lime or soda is used for these purposes. This technology is most often used on a large scale, for example, in urban water treatment plants. Water softened in this way undergoes obligatory settling, filtration, and only then it is supplied to consumers.
By the way, housewives have been using this technology for a long time, adding soda or even stove ash to the water.
Today classic example is the addition of special powder or liquid preparations to the washing machine, or the installation of cartridge filters with a special crystalline filling at the inlet to household appliances.
Dialysis technology
Purification is carried out by separating substances dissolved in water with different molecular weights under the influence of an electromagnetic field. The separation of salt ions from water occurs in the process of its diffusion through special nano-membranes (nitro- or cellulose acetate).
Of all technologies, dialysis provides the highest quality desalination, water is close to distilled, since not only hardness salts are removed, but almost everything dissolved in it.
The method is not used for domestic purposes, partly because of the high cost and complexity of installations and consumables (membranes), and because excessively demineralized water is unsuitable for everyday use.
Magnetic processing method
This modern technology significantly reduces the formation of scale when heating treated water.
There are several scientific hypotheses that explain this phenomenon, but the fact is that after the liquid passes through a magnetic field, salt crystallization occurs not on the heating elements, but in the water column, and the formed solid substrate is easily removed by simple washing.
A similar method has become widespread in industry and the public utilities sector - devices attached to pipes are quite inexpensive, non-energy intensive, and require practically no operating costs. The production of electromagnetic softeners and household class has been mastered.
Ion exchange technology
The most widely used method at present. The principle of replacing calcium or magnesium atoms with atoms of a more active metal (sodium), whose salts do not cause water hardness, is used. For this, most often, special artificial cation exchangers are used - ion-exchange resins with a high sodium content.
Softening resins are quickly saturated with magnesium and calcium ions, but the uniqueness of the method is that they can be easily regenerated under the influence of sodium chloride, common salt. In this case, the released magnesium and calcium ions are washed off into the drainage, and the ion-exchange medium restores its functionality.
On industrial and domestic water softening installations, a regeneration device of one or another principle of ion exchange is necessarily provided.
This significantly reduces operating costs - salt filling is incomparably cheaper than ion-exchange components.
Technical implementation of water softening in domestic water supply systems
What are the methods of softening, in addition to banal boiling or manually adding special water to water? chemicals are used at the household level.
Magnetic water softeners
Relatively inexpensive and do not require preventive intervention during their operation. A good solution as a water softener filter for a house, cottage or apartment.
The principle is the creation of a powerful magnetic field at the inlet of water into household appliances. Can be equipped permanent magnets or run on AC power.
Structurally, they can be a cylinder with threaded connections at both ends. It simply cuts into the pipe as close as possible to the point of water consumption. A simpler option is two half-cylinders fastened on the pipe body in the right place.
Electromagnetic softeners have a power supply and control unit and a working part, which is also fixed on the body of the water pipe like a clamp or coil. Their electricity consumption is minimal, within 5–15 W, and the working life declared by the manufacturer is 10 years or more.
On the Internet, you can find an advertisement for the Magnolia softener-calciner, which is a plastic ribbed ball with powerful magnets inside. According to the instructions, it is simply placed in the washing drum or on the dishwasher rack for the duration of the work.
Softeners-filters cartridge type
Such filters are produced, most often, in a standard size, have a transparent flask into which a replaceable cartridge is installed.
Commonly used resin cartridges with high ion-exchange capacity.
The resulting purified water is applicable both for technical needs (laundry, dishwashing, water procedures) and for food purposes.
The disadvantage of such a system is a rather small resource of the cartridge without the possibility of its recovery.
Thus, a water softening cartridge for a standard 10″ filter is designed either for 4000 liters or for six months of operation (depending on which comes first), and then must be replaced unconditionally.
The second option is compact filters with a large crystalline filling of a partially soluble reagent.
Usually sodium polyphosphate is used for this purpose. It should be noted that the action of the reagent is aimed, rather, not at actually softening the water, but at preventing the appearance of scale buildup. Polyphosphate crystals, dissolving in water, create a thin protective film on the heating elements and tank walls, which does not allow scale to harden on them.
As the backfill is consumed, it is simply added to the filter.
The main disadvantage is that water that has undergone such treatment is unsuitable for food consumption.
Such devices are installed directly in front of the entrance. cold water V washing machines, boilers, shower cabins, etc.
Ion exchange plants
They are also called ion exchange columns because of their characteristic vertical layout. Structurally, they are a polymeric, fiberglass-reinforced tank with an ion-exchange resin through which the treated water is passed.
For regeneration, there is a special container into which consumables are poured - tableted salt for water softening. This is a common high-purity edible salt with a characteristic shape given to it to prevent caking and increase the area of active dissolution.
Periodically, the filtration mode switches to the regeneration mode, during which the brine is passed through the main filter tank by reverse current. The liberated magnesium and calcium ions are removed into the drainage drain.
Most modern installations have multiprocessor control of operating modes. The activation of regeneration can occur both by time, for example, at night hours set by the user, and by water consumption.
The electronic system records and analyzes water consumption, and independently decides whether to turn on the recovery mode. Human intervention is limited to the timely replenishment of the salt backfill.
Some expensive installations may have two filtration circuits - when one is in regeneration, it is possible to use the other.
Ion-exchange columns can vary significantly both structurally and in size, performance, degree of process automation, and other parameters.
Even the largest model is able to provide the average family with purified water for any need - the productivity is about 1-1.5 m³ / h. The active service life of the resin filler, subject to the rules of operation, can be from 3 to 10 years.
The cost of installations and filters for water softening
| model | principle of operation | short description | performance | dimensions | price, rub. |
| Akvasoft ECO ONE | magnetic softener | Permanent magnets. Mounted on the inlet hose of a washing machine or dishwasher. | 600 l/h | 75×55 mm, for pipe Ø up to 16 mm | 1560 |
| AquaShield DU60 | electromagnetic softener | Power supply + emitter wires wound on pipes. (15-20 turns). Power consumption - 5 W | – | 150×100×70, maximum pipe Ø 60 mm. | 8000 |
| "Magnolia" | magnetic softener | spherical magnetic decarburizer for laying in a washing machine or dishwasher for the duration of the working cycle. | – | – | 1100 |
| "New Water" B120 | Bulk type filter, filler - sodium polyphosphate. | Transparent flask, ½″ threaded connection, installation in front of non-food water taps. | 800 l/h. | mass of full filling with crystals - 235 g. | 900 |
| «Slim Line» 10″ | ion exchange cartridge | cartridge for standard 10″ flask | up to 2 l/min working resource - 4000 l or 6 months. |
height – 10″ | 490 |
| ATOLL EcoLife S-20 | ion exchange column | regeneration - by water consumption, continuous water consumption, indication of operating modes and the degree of filling of the salt backfill, a fully automated process. | up to 1800 l/h | 870×350×510 mm resin volume - 20 l, |
24100 |
| EcoWaterESM 11 | ion exchange column | fully automated installation with flow rate regeneration, a block for analyzing consumption and assigning modes, a remote indicator for monitoring the state of the system. | up to 900 l/h | resin volume - 11 l, salt tank - 25 kg | 40000 |
Prices for water softeners can not be called low, and for ion exchange columns, they can generally seem intimidating.
However, if we take into account all the risks of using hard water, the financial losses from its everyday use and from the exit household appliances out of order, then the acquisition quality installation becomes quite understandable.
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Water softeners can be roughly divided into water softener filters continuous action (without stopping for regeneration of the filter medium) and with intermittent action for regeneration. When filtering through an ion-exchange resin, the ions of hardness salts are replaced by ions of table salt (food). Restoration of the ion-exchange capacity of the resin occurs when backwash by regenerating it with a salt solution. Water softeners with automatic or manual control are used to remove hardness salts as part of a filtration and purification system. or on your own. Design:
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Application of filters and water softeners
Today, there is hardly a person who has not heard about hard water and ways to soften it. Hard drinking water, which comes to almost all apartments and houses through the central water supply and from underground sources used for autonomous water supply, contains a large amount of dissolved salts. Many of them degrade its quality and adversely affect heating devices, water heaters and plumbing, leading to a noticeable decrease in their service life. In addition, excess hardness salts have Negative influence on the digestive organs and human teeth.
Fortunately, today there are many ways to extract calcium and magnesium salts from water. This procedure is carried out using different technologies, one of which is the use of special water treatment systems. Recently, these devices have become very popular, as it is the most inexpensive and effective method cleaning.
Such devices are used to neutralize the magnesium and calcium ions contained in the water, which are the cause of the well-known hardness. The use in filters - softeners of backfills based on ion-exchange resins makes it possible to eliminate stiffness or, as they say, to produce water softening . The working properties of the resin are restored by treating it with a solution based on table salt.
They are installed, as a rule, together with other cleaning filters, after iron removers and mechanical cleaning filters. Softeners can be designed with automatic and manual control valves to control the flushing process.
Of course, first of all, water softeners need to be installed in places Catering, because no visitor will be delighted with tea or coffee with traces of scale or a clear foreign aftertaste. They are also used in medical centers, in order to protect the health of patients, and at the same time expensive instruments.
Filters for water softening, unlike, for example, filters for iron removal, have not a mechanical, but an ionic principle, using ion-exchange resins. The water softener filter
useful in that it contains sodium ions. When hard water passes through the resin, it gives it divalent calcium and magnesium ions, and the resin in return gives water monovalent sodium ions. As a result, the amount of salts does not change, only the composition changes. And now, instead of hard salts of calcium and sodium, there will be sodium salts in the water, which are practically harmless due to the fact that they are not deposited anywhere. So there is a procedure called water softening.
There are two types of water softeners:
1. Intermittent filters
They are intended for softening and are used for domestic, household and food purposes, as well as for feeding heating systems.
Data water softeners
consist of a fiberglass body laminated with polyethylene on the inside; control valve, filter element, drainage distribution system and regeneration tank.
The action of the softener is based on the exchange of hard magnesium and calcium ions for common salt ions through an ion exchange resin. The regeneration process is carried out by automatic flushing of the system with a solution of common table salt. In general, it is advisable to use special salt in tablets to prepare the solution, but in the absence of such, it is quite possible to use coarsely ground table salt, only without iodine content. The operation of such a system is fully automated, the maintenance consists only in monitoring that there is a sufficient amount of salt in the tank.
2. Continuous filters.
They are used in steam and boiler boiler houses, as well as factories and enterprises where there is a continuous production cycle. The devices consist of two filters with a single control unit and a saline tank. Only one filter is active at a working time. The second is either undergoing regeneration, or simply stands in standby mode. As soon as the built-in counter determines that the set volume has passed, the control unit automatically switches them and puts the worker into regenerative mode, and the rester switches to work mode. The control unit allows you to fully customize all operating modes: resource volume, regeneration duration, flow power, etc. Enclosures are made from fiberglass inner surface- polyethylene. The softener is a strong acid resin with a high exchange coefficient. In the course of work with the help of Na-cation exchanger, hard cations are exchanged for sodium.
The hardness of tap water today averages 16,000 µg-eq/l. After passing through the filter, this figure decreases to an average of 75-100 mcg-eq/l, but upon repeated contact with the softener, this figure reaches 10-20 mcg-eq/l. Alkalinity after the process of sodium cationization almost does not change, only a slight increase in the dry residue, somewhere by 2-5%.
These performance calculations are based on the optimum filtration rate for each type.
Modern filters for softening water are environmentally friendly and are recommended by sanitary authorities. Thanks to them, it is realistic to carry out water softening at home at an affordable price, moreover, this process does not require physical and time costs, the role of a person is practically reduced to zero. All that is required from the client is to call and place an order, everything else will be done by the employees of the seller.
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Each person at least once in his life wondered: "what quality of the liquid used is used in cooking." She, being supplied to homes with the help of a water supply system, is processed, but this is not enough for an acceptable level of softness.
Therefore, it is better to use professional filter elements, softeners. The market offers a wide range of varieties of such softening devices.
How water softeners work
The liquid softener is a small cylindrical device. Inside there is a filter element, it occupies 60 percent of the device. Above the main part is an automatic control valve that controls the operation of the device.
Inside the column there is a riser pipe with a distributor mesh at the bottom and an upper distributor, which is attached to the control valve.
Grids distributors serve to prevent washing out during filter regeneration and the ingress of the filter load into the control valve and pipelines.
The liquid flowing through the softener enters through the tank, where the ion exchange resin is located, in which calcium ions are replaced by sodium ions. Then, as a result of this process, soft water is obtained, it enters the water supply system and can later be used both for domestic and technical purposes.
The choice of softening method is influenced by the depth of softening and the quality required from the filter. Filters are such as distillation, heat treatment based on heating and freezing.
With the physical method of softening, the use chemical substances Absolutely forbidden.
This filter is suitable for the cleaning required for cooking. Reverse osmosis is a certified and proven membrane purification method. The essence of his work is that there is a disposal of salt due to pressure.
Filtration with this purification method is of very high quality and such water is used in many industries, even in pharmacology. Cleaning of the required degree can be obtained at low pressure with the replacement of the membrane. To obtain drinking water, household jugs are used, but they are inefficient.
Characteristics of water softeners
Hard water greatly affects things that fade due to poor washing quality. You have to increase the consumption of washing powder when washing clothes. In addition, people who use hard water for cooking suffer, thereby slowly killing their body.
Depending on the combination of physical and chemical properties are exceeded allowable norms magnesium and calcium salts. The parameter is divided into temporary and permanent stiffness.
Using hardness reduction equipment, it is possible to clean the entire system on any scale, or just use water softeners. Comparing the characteristics of liquid impurities, the degree of hardness is taken into account.
Thanks to the use of equipment, the level of rigidity decreases, the operation of sanitary equipment increases, the accumulation of solid deposits in pipes decreases, the equipment works with a high efficiency.
Main characteristic performance is considered. Based on this parameter, they choose a filter that filters the liquid at home or at work, monitors the quality parameters and determines the pricing policy of the product.
The next indicators associated with the main parameter are the volume of resin and the hardness limit, which allows the use of the device if there is an excess of several times.
The amount of liquid that is processed by the device between individual regenerations is considered to be the regeneration period of the softener, which depends on the volume of resin. Iron reduction occurs through the use of standard cation exchange resins. Minimization of the participation of the human factor in the process of operation of the device.
Energy consumption, dimensions and salt consumption directly depend on the performance of the system.
The buyer is offered several varieties of softeners operating on different principles.
Types of water softeners
There are several types of liquid softeners:
- electromagnetic;
- ion exchange;
- ultrafiltration;
- filters with maximum softening;
- chemical;
- filters with a powerful softening method;
- magnetic.
Electromagnetic principle.
Electromagnetic softeners differ from other models and are gradually losing popularity, as they are more suitable not for home use, but for household use. Soft water formed by this method protects appliances from scale, keeps household appliances working, but it is undesirable to use such water as drinking water, or you need to use a filter.
More often, such softeners are used in boiler rooms, in heating systems. These devices are easy to use and install. These filters do not allow the formation of scale and have the longest shelf life. Cons of the device - the device needs a significant amount of electrical energy.
Ion exchange principle.
The mode of operation of such devices is based on chemical reactions, based on a gel-like cleaning resin, which contains an increased amount of sodium and changes places with hardness ions during filtration. Softness with this principle is higher, but care must be taken when leaving and changing the resin more often.
Ultrafiltration principle.
Ultrafiltration is a membrane process that occupies an intermediate position between microfiltration and nanofiltration. Ultrafiltration membranes have pore sizes from 0.05 µm to 10 nm.
The principle of an ultrafiltration softener is the separation of macromolecular substances from water. Filtration is carried out very carefully, as a similar method is used when cleaning heavily contaminated liquids such as diesel fuel and oil.
The principle is expensive and devoid of disadvantages. The price affects the quality of the product, so for a wealthy consumer, such a softener - the best option. The water is soft in taste, and after treatment it is deprived of chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, harmful bacteria.
Filter with maximum softening.
In theory right device is considered to be one that can ensure the removal of most harmful impurities. Here, a membrane with small pore sizes is used, which allows only water molecules and the same formations to pass through. Molecules that affect stiffness do not pass through the barrier and are washed into the drain.
The liquid consumption during such cleaning is five times higher than with standard consumption. The volume of liquid processed per day will not be sufficient for the operation of a large number of household devices.
Systems are very sensitive to temperature changes, water pressure, chlorine and other contaminants. To increase productivity, you need to change clogged cartridges as often as possible.
If we consider this from an economic point of view, it turns out that such a filter is too expensive in everyday life. It is more expedient to use the filter element in enterprises for the necessary production processes.
Chemical method.
Such a device saturates the liquid passed through it with dissolved chemical compounds. These substances include sodium chloride, phosphates. Enveloping the salt crystals of the liquid, they reduce the chances of scale formation. Such a device has many advantages, but we must not forget about the narrow specialization of its application.
For control, special devices are mounted in the water pipe that determine the dosage. The price of the material from which the filter and filler is made is low. Dissolved compounds are sources of contamination and their quality cannot be verified.
During the operation of backfilling polyphosphates, their level is monitored and replenished when the level decreases. The consumer is not always able to connect the device correctly. In this case, the help of professionals in this field will lead to additional expensive expenses.
A powerful way to soften.
The higher the performance of the device, the more difficult the device to maintain. The likelihood that some part or assembly will break is too high. Such devices are equipped with a control and monitoring unit as standard.
The device is equipped with a tank for regeneration solution, a bypass pipe system, continuous supply required amount liquids with an additional reservoir, which guarantees a long service life. Installation and reconfiguration are carried out by professional installers.
Standard parts are strong and durable, with a guarantee from the manufacturer. Over time, there will be savings on previously invested Money and improve health status.
magnetic way.
High performance can be achieved using a device in which a magnetic field is created by a special generator. The power is enough to process a large amount of liquid under different pressures. Chemical composition the liquid does not change and remains clean.
Installation of such a device is within the power of every person. The generator does not take up much space and can be located on any section of the pipe. In operation it is simple and reliable. The principle of operation of a magnetic softener is to convert calcium and magnesium compounds that acquire new form, safe for technical support.
Removal of hardness salts does not occur and the resulting limescale is removed. Softeners of this type are installed on water pipes, in cooling systems, on pumping stations, in front of boilers, household appliances and speakers.
The main advantage is independence from electrical energy, which gives it an advantage over other methods. The correct magnetic softener is a device in which the main element is located in close proximity to water.
It is not advised to mount equipment without the help of professionals. A common type of device is a cylinder in a hermetic case.
The main difference between a household softener and an industrial softener is the dimensions. This device guarantees a continuous supply of fluid and protects against adverse environmental influences.
The use of such devices at home will provide satisfaction from their use. On an industrial scale, softeners play an important role.
Cleaning affects the production of products, the health of employees, and ultimately the consumers of these goods. Having studied the recommendations and tips, you can safely purchase a softener that fits the selected characteristics and will serve your conscience.
Functions
As discussed earlier, the softener saves equipment from wear and tear, preserves human health. But excessive softening of water is harmful to humans, since in minimal quantities those substances that enter the body along with water and are removed during softening are necessary for a person.
These are natural vitamins, some of which are involved in the natural reactions of the body and their absence will lead to problems. Soft water is not easy to get used to, when washing hands there is a feeling that the soap is not washed off, this creates some discomfort.
Moderate softening has a positive effect on human health, energy and beauty, but before buying, you need to determine the water softening coefficient, since too soft water can adversely affect human health.
Then, having found a proportional relationship between softness and the presence of natural elements, the consumer will drink the right water.
Faults
If the softener works intermittently or does not soften the water enough, do the following:
- Disassemble fluid supply elements and clean.
- Close the bypass valve if it is open.
- If the fluid softens unevenly with a controller, adjust the regeneration cycle time to account for the water flow.
- Since only the salt supply needs to be replenished manually, and the rest of the elements are replenished automatically, check the salt supply and add or remove so that the salt covers the appropriate backfill.
If these methods did not help, or something cannot be done manually, contact the professionals.
In a private house, the consumption of water resources is much higher than in an ordinary one, standard apartment. Moreover, the number of people can live the same here and there, but water consumption will still be higher in a private house. And such a large area requires water with higher quality. This is important, because potential objects will have more water consumption. And a cleaner like water softener for cottage will become a reliable assistant in the household.
Softener consumption objects and their water requests
In an apartment, counting consumer devices is not difficult. Yes, and the scale will be significantly different. After all, the apartment can accommodate a maximum of several guests with an overnight stay. In a private house, people can spend the night with families, staff can spend the night. And so, the house has more territory, more consumers and more various decorations that also consume water. For comparison, the objects of water consumption in an apartment and a house in the form of a list.
A private house is often built for this, bought in order to afford what was not available in the apartment. Own bathhouse, pool - these are also significant items of expenditure and water consumption. And hardness spoils not only the heating elements of expensive household appliances when boiled. She leaves her extremely negative mark both in the pool and on wooden planks baths. If you buy a water softener for a cottage, this is the only way to solve this problem cheaply.
Water poisoned with lime has many flaws, and they will all appear at the most inopportune moment. In addition to the fact that lime under the influence of temperature easily turns into plaque, at first, loosely lying, and then so dense that it resembles a stone. This coating does not transmit heat well and does not interact well with any soap lye.
Which water softener filters do not use chemicals, reagents and salt in their work? These are magnetic and electromagnetic water softeners. Their use is expedient because of the price, profitability and environmental safety.
1. Magnetic softener (water changer)
2. Electromagnetic water softener AquaShield
Moreover, deposits appear on the surfaces of any and even without heating the water. They just come together a little slower than with stimulating heat. And the tanks of heating boilers will suffer from such an influence, and tile in a swimming pool. It's no wonder pool cleaning gets so much attention. And there are several reasons for this:
- Water may be swallowed in the pool;
- A fungus can earn in the pool;
- May trigger allergies.
The determining factors of such problems are not only the quality of the water itself, but also the quality of its purification. A simple example can be given. Water can be taken from a primary above-ground source. Most likely, disinfection will become a big cleaning problem. The easiest way to clean water from bacteria is with the help of commonplace chemicals. Much is not required for this, just a chloride solution. You don't need to prepare anything special. The concentration is calculated, added to the water and after a few minutes you can already swim in the water.
Chlorine, once dissolved in water, can continue to fight bacteria. For another half an hour, he regularly works as a disinfectant. But at the same time, it is worth putting a little more chlorine solution, and a person who constantly bathes in such water may develop an allergy. If it is already there, then chloride water easily activates it. Eyes will be irritated, in general, a lot of unpleasant moments. Only healthy people do not really react to chlorine water, because. nothing threatens health.
Poor quality water will begin to corrode the wooden surfaces in the bath and sauna. From this, fungus can easily develop. Such a coating also needs to be carefully looked after. But the worst thing will be without those household appliances that heat water. It can even be a small barrel on the lid of the iron, but lime water can easily spoil it as a result. Scale builds up on surfaces very quickly. In the thermal power industry, scale thicker than 0.1 mm is prohibited. Moreover, the entire water supply system is stopped and maintenance work on flushing is started, or the system is completely disconnected from the water supply and a massive major cleaning is launched. After such treatments, the surfaces came into such a deplorable state that it could not be tolerated any longer. And humanity has been diligently looking for a way around, to solve this problem. So the prototypes of water softeners for the cottage began to appear. Only some wanted to just buy them, others tried to make them with their own hands. They were able to purify quickly and efficiently large volumes of water.
There are a lot of questions in private households regarding the quality of irrigation water. It is possible that it is not necessary to strongly purify such water, but it will be necessary to check. Any cleaning system begins with determining what exactly will have to be removed from the water column. You can’t save on the assessment, the price is not the most important thing here, too much important information it will provide the consumer. How else can he know exactly how much iron salts are in the water? And such accuracy greatly affects the composition of the cleaning system. Yes, and the power of the devices will help determine only the analysis. An approximate selection of counterfeits is not suitable here. It will cost too much for the owner of the house!
The right choice of a water softener for a cottage is the key to success!
With so many points, places of use and consumption of water resources, softness issues become a stumbling block. If the owner does not pay much attention to the effect of calcareousness on his body, then it is impossible not to notice negative changes in the operation of household appliances. If a private house also has a boiler room, then it will not work without a water softener for the cottage. Too high a price to pay for such carelessness.
When heated, the salts form a precipitate. This coating has good, unlike other blocking insulating characteristics. Practically without passing heat, scale in the bud ruins all the work of heating water. But worst of all, surfaces and heating elements are subjected to massive overloads. Heat enters the water in a very small amount. Everything else, all heating is concentrated in the material of the heated element and or the heated shell. Not a single metal can be constantly heated, it goes into another state. That is, it either breaks, or it flows. This is how expensive household appliances break down. All because of a thin but dense coating.
Cleaning surfaces is too laborious and leaves traces after it, and traces are undesirable. Whether aggressive acid washing is used or whether the owner of the cottage cleans the surfaces with metal cutting tools, marks on the surfaces will remain. And very ugly and deep. It is generally dangerous to clean the heating element in this way. Because you can remove the protective layer and a short circuit will occur.
If you buy a water softener for a cottage, then very quickly and efficiently it solves all the problems stimulated by the poor quality of softening. The task of any such is to eliminate or neutralize lime salts. Actually, on this principle, the principle of dividing all ion-exchange softeners into chemical and physical softeners is built. The former require in their work restoration, replacement of cartridges, chemical stimulated reactions. The latter work without chemicals and on natural processes or by harmless irradiation. But which one to choose in your case and in your cottage?
For a cottage, it is better to select through a specialized company. Independent selection of the softener is possible only if the central water supply is used. If the water is taken from your own well, then you will have to buy a softener and still go all the way, from water assessment to launching a full-fledged purification system.
I would like to note right away that choosing the right softener both in appearance and power, only after checking the condition of the water. The device is bought not for a month or two, this is a serious investment of money. And the price for such softeners starts from 30,000 rubles, which is not so little. And you need to invest them so that you do not regret later. Therefore, a mandatory item will be a water test. It will give an opportunity to understand what is contained in the water, in what volume. Of course, it is easier to make a water softener for a cottage with your own hands, it is cheaper than buying one. The composition and capacity of the future water treatment system will depend on this. But it also happens that water requires only the installation of a softener.
Video. How to make a magnetic water softener for your home and cottage with your own hands
Moreover, for such a large processing area, as in a private house, you will have to install more than one device. And the question is not even in the volumes of water served. The secret is in economic feasibility. Filters softeners after all happen for receiving drinking water, and happen and for water for other purposes. Those that give very high quality softening are expensive. And processing large volumes with their help can be costly. Therefore, complex cleaning from lime is most often used. To do this, it is enough to purchase only two water softeners in the cottage, although the device for drinking water may vary.
Video. Water softener recall
Most often, as a drinking purifier, it is better to buy an ion-exchange jug filter purifier. In such a device, a chemical reaction takes place. The inner cartridge is filled with small resin balls, which in turn is supersaturated with sodium ions. They easily come into contact with lime salts. A reaction occurs and sodium gives its place to salts. Thus, the cartridge is gradually contaminated until the sodium is completely washed out of it. Water, on the contrary, becomes useful, saturated with sodium salt. In such a cartridge version, the softener can be priced from 25,000 rubles. and can last 3-4 months, then the cartridge will have to be thrown away.
Electromagnetic softener
An electromagnetic softener works a little differently. It neutralizes water in the course of its work. By creating a powerful magnetic field, the filter converts the salts. Under its action, they only gently clean the clogged surfaces, without being deposited on them and the heating element. The water turns out to be soft, to the extent that is necessary for normal operation, without interruption of any household appliances and even a fuel boiler. An electromagnetic water softener is guaranteed to last 20 years without requiring maintenance, without replacing any important internal components, working on the strength of magnetic influence alone.
The quality of the water we drink every day and use for cooking is one of the key factors affecting human health. Normally, it should contain a certain amount of macro- and microelements, but any deviation from the established values \u200b\u200bcan cause in the body negative changes. Poor water quality often negatively affects the condition of the digestive tract, skin and hair. In addition, increased water hardness provokes the appearance of scale on the heating elements of household appliances, and also forms limescale on plumbing. At the same time, the solubility and efficiency are significantly reduced. detergents. Solve these and more possible problems capable of water softening filters.
Types of filters for water softening
Ion exchange. The principle of operation of these systems is based on a chemical reaction between the active radicals of the gel-like resin and the ions of hardness salts. The essence of this process will be described in detail below. The advantage of ion-exchange filters is the high quality of water purification from calcium and magnesium ions, however, it is worth remembering that such installations require regular maintenance. Below we will dwell on the features of these systems in more detail.
Reverse osmosis. Inside the body of such systems is a membrane with microscopic pores through which only water molecules pass. This barrier retains not only hardness salts, but also other impurities, including organic compounds, iron and pathogens. Reverse osmosis systems can be used to purify water with the risk of microbiological contamination. In this case, the initial concentrations of ions and salts do not matter. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that membrane filters retain almost all minerals, so their deficiency must be compensated by the diet. An additional advantage of reverse osmosis is the environmental friendliness of the method. The filters do not contain chemical compounds that can later get from the installation into the purified water. Thus, reverse osmosis systems virtually eliminate the risk of allergic reactions or poisoning in consumers. Reverse osmosis plants also require regular maintenance.
The principle of operation of ion-exchange water softeners
Softening occurs on the principle of ion exchange. The filtering medium inside the installation housing contains granules, on the surface of which there are active particles. When water passes through the filter, the magnesium and calcium ions that make up the hardness salts are removed from the solution with the help of sodium ions. This is the essence of the ion-exchange method of softening.
To restore the filtering capacity of the water softening system, it is subjected to regeneration. This process most often takes place automatically and has several stages. One of them is to pass a saturated sodium chloride solution (NaCl) through the filter medium, after which sodium ions displace magnesium and calcium particles from the surface of the granules, which merge with the flow.
The regeneration of the softener is carried out at a predetermined time or after a certain calculated volume of water. Usually, flushing is carried out during the period of least water use, so that untreated water does not reach the consumer. If the facility requires a constant supply of softened water and it is not possible to temporarily stop the operation of the filters, then two or more systems with automatic flow switching are installed. While the load in one filter is being restored, the water softening process is being carried out in another or other filters.
Characteristics of ion exchange filters for water softening
Performance. The main characteristic with which the choice of a filter for softening water begins. Performance directly affects the costs associated with the purchase and maintenance of the system, as well as the quality of cleaning.
Resin volume. The higher this value, the better the performance of the system. In addition to the volume of ion exchange resin, it is also important to consider the interval between filter regenerations. This characteristic helps to understand how much water the filter will process before the next system recovery.
Stiffness limit. The optimal quality of water at the outlet of the filter can be obtained with a 2-3-fold excess of the hardness standard. It is important to calculate the sodium content in purified water. It should not exceed MPC (maximum permissible concentration).
Iron removal. For normal operation of the water softener with Na-form cation exchange resin, the iron content should not exceed 0.3-0.5 mg/l. If the system uses a complex load, calculated not only for hardness salts, but also for other types of impurities, then it is permissible to exceed the initial concentration of iron in water up to 10-15 mg / l.
Degree of automation. Automation minimizes the participation of the consumer in the process of water softening. The operation of the filter is controlled by a special electronic board and a water distribution and switching system. The electronic board receives information from the water meter and timer, as well as monitoring and recording the costs and volumes of purified water, the sequence of stages and the duration of the regeneration process. The consumer only needs to pour the tableted salt into a special reagent tank and, if necessary, correct the current time on the filter display, for example, in the event of a settings failure after a power outage.
Requirements for water softening systems
- Providing the object (house, apartment, cottage, enterprise) with clean water with normal hardness in full.
- Compliance of the installation with the existing water consumption regime.
- Consumption of tableted salt (the main reagent) in quantities directly proportional to the volume of softened water.
- High strength, wear resistance of the system, as well as a long service life.
Our offer
BARRIER offers consumers a wide range of water softening systems. We are ready to select for you the equipment that will be most effective in each case. The specialists of the company will offer standard solution or develop individual project filter systems. The high quality of the installations is confirmed by certificates.
Advantages of BARRIER water filters:
- adaptation to the characteristics of water in Russian centralized systems and natural sources;
- only high quality components and Consumables ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the equipment;
- modern water treatment technologies, created on the basis of many years of testing and research in the company's own laboratory.
Our offers anticipate the growing demands of consumers. If necessary, we will analyze the water at your source. Based on laboratory studies, the company's specialists will select the optimal set of devices. To get advice on the choice of installations, contact the operators of the free hotline by phone 8-800-100-100-7. You can buy water softeners in the stores of official distributors BARRIER.
