Softening of

Water
Introduction:

Importance of water:
One of the reasons for existence of life on our
planet is the distance from sun, which is just right
for Water (Universal Solvent) to exist in its liquid
form on the planet. In fact, the liquid form of
water covers almost 70% of the earths surface.
Water also constitutes up to 70% of human body
and is essential for proper body functioning and
health.
Introduction
On the basis of usability water is of two types:-

1. Hard water:Water that does not form an

immediate lather with soap is called hard water.
2. Soft water:It produces lather with a little
amount of SOAP and does not form scales in
boilers, heaters, and kettles .
Types of Hardness:

Depending upon the behavior of water towards

soap, hardness is divided into two types.
1. Temporary hardness:Hardness of water due
to the presence of bicarbonates of calcium and
Magnesium is called temporary hardness.
2. Permanent hardness:
This is due to the presence of chlorides,nitrates and
sulphates of calcium and magnesium.
Cause of Hardness of Water:

Thehard wateris formed when natural waters flow over ground or

rocks containing calcium or magnesium compounds. e.g. Chalk
and limestone
Gypsumrock deposits, which are mainly calcium
sulphateCaSO4(calcium sulfate) which is slightly soluble in water,
Magnesium sulphate which was called 'Epsom Salts',
formulaMgSO4.7H2O (hydrated magnesium sulfate.
CaCO3(s)+ H2O(l)+ CO2(g)==>Ca(HCO3)2(aq)
MgCO3(s)+ H2O(l)+ CO2(g)==>Mg(HCO3)2(aq)

INDIAN STANDARDS:
FOR DRINKING:
300 ppm (desirable) 600 ppm (permissible)
Different Methods of
Softening of Water:
1. Chemical Precipitation.
2. Ion Exchange.
3. Zeolite Process
Chemical Precipitation:
It is a process of converting Ca hardness to CaCO3 and Mg to Mg (OH)2.
These two compounds calcium carbonate and magnesium hardness is having very low solubility and they will be
precipitating out easily and these precipitates are dense enough so we can settle them properly.
Following are the reactions that take place in this process:

As slacked lime is added to a water, it will react with any carbon dioxidepresent as follows:

Ca (OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 +H2O....(1)

The lime will react with carbonate hardness as follows:

Ca(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 -> 2CaCO3 + 2H2O

Mg(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 -> Ca(HCO3)2 + Mg(OH)2
MgCO3 + Ca(OH)2 -> Mg(OH)2 + CaCO3
MgCl2 + Ca(OH)2 -> Mg(OH)2 + CaCl2
MgSO4 + Ca(OH)2 -> Mg(OH)2 + CaSO4
Lime addition removes only magnesium hardness and calcium carbonate hardness. The water now contains the original
calciumnon-carbonate hardness and the calcium non-carbonate hardness. Soda ash is added to remove calcium non-
carbonate hardness:

CaCl2 + Na2CO3 -> CaCO3 + 2NaCl

CaSO4 + Na2CO3 -> CaCO3 + Na2SO4

To precipitate CaCO3 requires a pH of about 9.5; and to precipitate Mg(OH)2 requires a pH of about 11, therefore, an
excess lime is required to raise the pH.
Stabilization:
Precipitation is a time dependent process so the calcium carbonate precipitation and magnesium
hydroxide will keep going for a long time and more precipitate will be forming so after this lime
softening that water enters into the distribution system what will happen is this calcium carbonate
and magnesium carbonate will be slowly settling down in the water distribution systems. So as a result
you will not be getting the design flow.
One more problem associated with this precipitation is we have seen for the removal of magnesium
hydroxide or magnesium hardness we have to increase the pH up to 11 and if you put that water with
a pH of 11 into the distribution system for drinking purpose or other domestic purpose. People will not
accept because according to the Bureau of Indian Standards pH should be between 6.5 8.5.
That means precipitation of calcium carbonate should be avoided in that distribution network and the
pH should be within the prescribed or specified limit. So for that purpose we are going for stabilization.
Mostly we go for stabilization using carbon dioxide so the reactions are as follows:

CO2 + Ca(OH)2 CaCO3 +H2O

CO2 + Mg(OH)2 MgCO3 + H2O

Further re-carbonation, will bring the pH to about 8.5 and stabilize the calcium carbonate as the
following:

CO2 + CaCO3 + H2OCa(HCO3)2

 Zeolite Process:
Zeolites are hydrated silicates.
It is also called as base-exchange or cation-exchange
process.
They are commercially prodeuced as resins.
Zeolites are two types natural (Exchange power is
low,natrolite) and synthetic or artificial.
Na is exchanged for Ca/Mg from water.
Na salts do not cause hardness.
Zeolite beds are similar to sand filters.
Zeolite is regenerated when Na is exhausted by treating
with 5-10% brine (NaCl) solution.
Zeolite softener can be both gravity or pressure type.
 Ion Exchange:
Ion exchange water treatment system is one of the most common processes and it is
works on the basis on ion exchange principle. It removes the scale-forming calcium
and magnesium and others metal ions from hard water. To removes these ions water
are passes through ion exchange column filled with synthetic resin.
Ion exchange column:
There are two type ion exchange column:
Cation exchange column:
Cation exchanger consists of granular insoluble organic acid resin having giant
molecules with SO3H,COOH group attached.

The following reactions are taken place in cation exchange column.

2HR + Ca(HCO3)2 CaR2+ 2H2O + 2CO2
2HR + 2NaHCO3 2NaR + 2H2O + 2CO2
2HR + MgSO4 MgR2+ H2SO4
Anion exchange column:
Here OH-ion is exchanged for the anion. The process of ion exchange will continue until
available anions are packed. Then it should be need regeneration with suitable chemicals
such as caustic soda. The following reactions are taken place in anion exchange column.
RNH3OH + CL-RNH3Cl + OH-
Thank you