Ion Exchange Water Softening Systems

Cation exchange water softeners remove the calcium and magnesium ions found in hard water by exchanging them with sodium (or potassium) ions. Once all the ions are fully exchanged, the water softener undergoes a regeneration process to flush the system of excess ions and recharge with new sodium ions.Ion exchange describes a specific chemical process in which unwanted dissolved ions in water and wastewater — like nitrate, fluoride, sulfate, and arsenic — are exchanged for other ions with a similar charge.The ion exchange in water softening, is a process that involves the exchange of the hardness minerals in water, chiefly calcium and magnesium, for sodium minerals. The exchange is possible because the minerals are ionic in nature, which means they have an electrical charge.