A water softener system works by removing hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium through a process called ion exchange.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Hard Water Entry: The water softener system connects to your home's main water line. Hard water enters the system.
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Mineral Tank and Resin Beads: The hard water flows into the mineral tank, which is the chamber where the softening happens. Inside the tank is a bed of resin beads. These beads are negatively charged and coated with sodium ions.
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Ion Exchange: As the hard water passes through the resin beads, the calcium and magnesium ions (which have a positive charge) are attracted to the negatively charged resin beads. The calcium and magnesium ions replace the sodium ions on the beads. This is the ion exchange process.
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Soft Water Outflow: The water, now free of calcium and magnesium (and therefore "soft"), flows out of the mineral tank and into your home's plumbing system, ready for use in your appliances and fixtures. According to provided reference, this is how it delivers soft water throughout your house.
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Regeneration: Over time, the resin beads become saturated with calcium and magnesium ions. To restore their softening capacity, the system undergoes a regeneration cycle. During regeneration, a concentrated salt (brine) solution is flushed through the mineral tank. The high concentration of sodium ions in the brine displaces the calcium and magnesium ions from the resin beads, recharging them. The calcium- and magnesium-rich wastewater is then flushed down the drain.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Mineral Tank | Holds the resin beads and is where water softening takes place. |
| Resin Beads | Exchange calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions. |
| Brine Tank | Stores the salt used to regenerate the resin beads. |
| Control Valve | Controls the water flow and regeneration cycle. |
In summary, a water softener system exchanges hardness causing minerals for sodium. The mineral tank is the chamber where the hard water is softened. The water supply line feeds the hard water into the tank. The water seeps through the bed of resin beads, depositing the water-hardening calcium and magnesium ions. The water exits the tank soft and flows through your pipes to your household appliances.
