Water softener question

[lucid696]

The deal with these is the what is in the cartridge. The first picture you have is of a sediment filter--this filters out sediment (go figure) from the line. Another step might be a carbon filter, removing some organic and inorganic molecules from the mixture. A third might be a deionizer, or RO unit, etc.



Often these are run in a series, in fact with an RO there needs to be both a sediment filter and a carbon filter in place or the sediment will clog the RO membrane and the chlorine will burn the membrane.



The action you describe is the same as that of an in-home water softener--a resin charged with sodium replaces salts (calcium/magnesium) as water flows past it. Periodically it has to be regenerated by a heavy brine solution.

 

[ExplorerXLT95]

The deal with these is the what is in the cartridge. The first picture you have is of a sediment filter--this filters out sediment (go figure) from the line. Another step might be a carbon filter, removing some organic and inorganic molecules from the mixture. A third might be a deionizer, or RO unit, etc.

I have the clear filter housing with a 9.75" X 2.5" water softening cartridge and my hard water problems are gone completely.



They have 3 options for cartridges (all of which I think you mentioned):

1) KX-1: Nominal 1 micron carbon block with an amazing 20,000 gallon chlorine removal capacity. $21

2) PW-SOF: A water softening cartridge that contains standard softener resin. Its lifespan depends on how hard your water is. But, the good news is, you can renew it and reuse it indefinitely. If you're looking for a cartridge to prevent spotting when you wash your cart, this is your most likely choice. $16

3) PW-CAL: Neutralize the pH for your plants or fish with a calcite cartridge. $16



Sound right?

 

[lucid696]

Yeah, there's a ton of different cartridges you can put in those things--the problem gets to be when you put so many of them, especially one that *really* filters the water, in there, you reduce the water pressure to the point where you have none at all.



Then you either have to store it up high for a gravity feed or install a booster pump and reservoir to keep things moving along to wash the suds off.



As for the carbon block, 20K sounds about right for a cartridge like that. The place I used to run had a carbon block that was about $500, but needed to be replaced once every 5 years. This was in a store that went through roughly 1,500 gallons a day.

 

[lucid696]

Oh yeah, and not to be OT, I'd be leery of a pH-neutralizing cartridge--especially one that uses calcite (calcium carbonate)? It isn't that common that you find acidic tap water in the U.S.--the Northwest does come to mind, though.

 

[Bill D]

Here's more information on Reverse Osmosis vs. De-Ionization

 

[lucid696]

Thanks for posting that, Bill. I'd agree with most of what it says (it echoes much of my experience), but they don't cover the problem of pressure, which is certainly a problem for carwashing.



I can only assume that since the article was written for a carwashing business, that the problem of pressure is a separate one.



And again, the wastewater generated is excessive, but really only if you don't have something to do with it.



I still prefer RO to just about any other method of purifying water.