|
The machinery, equipment, and plumbing systems of an industrial business are some of the most important assets that need protection against corrosion and limescale build-up. In addition, depending on your industry, the quality of wastewater can produce undesirable outcomes or end products. The use of an industrial water softener comes highly recommended in order to purify calcium, magnesium, and other metallic ions found in hard water. In residential homes, the presence of these minerals is evident by deposits on kettle elements, clogged shower heads, and whitish or off-whitish deposits on bathroom fixtures. In an industrial setting, however, the deposits can cause harm and financial loss as they reduce the lifespan of equipment and affect its efficiency. Using softeners is financially sound in every way that matters. Read on to learn more about their benefits. What is an Industrial Water Softener? Put in simple terms, it is a water treatment system that purifies calcium, magnesium, and other metallic ions. During the treatment process, these minerals are replaced with sodium ions, which are less harmful to the equipment. How does a Water Softener work? The system consists of a column vessel, with ion exchange resins charged with sodium ions. As hard water passes through the resins, the harmful ions are exchanged with sodium ions. This is called the ion exchange process. With time, the resin beds lose their purifying effectiveness, requiring degeneration or rejuvenation. During degeneration, a brine fluid passes through the ion exchange resins, replacing calcium and magnesium ions. The process can last between 1.5 and 3 hours, and the treatment process continues until degeneration stops. The Simplex and Duplex Systems Depending on your industrial needs, you can choose between a simplex or duplex industrial water softener. The mechanism of purification is as described earlier in both systems; the distinction lies in the number of ion exchange vessels. The simplex system contains a single vessel with ion exchange resins, and during degeneration supply feeding industrial processes stop. This means you need to schedule degeneration when demand is low. The duplex system, on the other hand, consists of two vessels containing ion exchange resins. When resins in one vessel undergo degeneration, the second vessel automatically starts the purification process, and vice versa. This system ensures a constant supply. Industries Suitable for Water Softeners Some industries cannot do without softeners, and they are as follows: Manufacturing: Hard water reduces the lifespan of equipment and can influence the quality of the finished products. Food and beverage processing: Water quality has a big impact on the look and taste of food and beverages. Also, limescale build-up promotes bacteria and pathogen growth, affecting end-product quality. Hospitality and tourism: Customer experience is paramount in this industry, and limescale build-up deposits on fixtures can attract bad reviews due to unsightly mineral deposits and discomfort during bathing. Installation of softeners reduces all these problems for guest comfort. Healthcare: Calcium and magnesium ions can pose sterilisation issues in equipment harbouring bacteria, which can cause health issues. The benefits of industrial water softeners are apparent, as they prolong the lifespan of machinery and equipment that could otherwise be cut short by mineral deposits and corrosion. Depending on your needs, you can choose between the simplex and duplex systems since they both remove harmful ions by replacing them with less harsh sodium ions. However, before making a choice, it is best to consult a professional company to recommend a system that aligns with the unique needs of your business. Author Plate Sean Clifford is an advisor at AllWater Technologies Ltd, a wholly independent company providing consultation and water treatment equipment, including industrial water softener systems and effluent treatment plant. Bringing together a host of experience and specialist knowledge, the company is committed to building and maintaining long-term relationships and creating maximum value and benefit for their customers.
Related Articles -
industrial, water, softener,
| 
