House, design, repair, decor. Yard and garden. Do it yourself

House, design, repair, decor. Yard and garden. Do it yourself

» Hard water and ways to softening chemistry. Physico-chemical methods of water softening

Hard water and ways to softening chemistry. Physico-chemical methods of water softening

Know the degree of rigidity of the water used necessarily. From stiffness indicator drinking water Many aspects of our lives depends: how much to use a washing powder, whether measures are needed to soften rigid water, how many aquarium fish will live in water, whether the introduction of polyphosphates in reverse osmosis, etc.

There are many ways to determine hardness:

  • by the number of formed foam of detergent;
  • in the area;
  • by the amount of scale on the heating elements;
  • on the taste properties of water;
  • with the help of reagents and special devices

What is stiffness?

In the water there are main cations: calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, strontium. The last three cations affect the rigidity of water. There is still a trivalent cation of aluminum and iron, which at a certain pH form limestone flare.

Stiffness can be of different types:

  • total rigidity - the total content of magnesium and calcium ions;
  • carbonate rigidity- The content of hydrocarbonates and carbonates at the pH is greater than 8.3. They are easy to remove through boiling: during heating decompose on coalic acid and precipitate;
  • non-gonna rigidity - calcium salts and magnesium of strong acids; You can not remove with boiling.

There are several water rigidity units: mole / m 3, mM-eq / l, DH, D⁰, F⁰, PPM CaCo 3.

Why does water have rigidity? Alkaline earth metal ions are in all mineralized waters. They are taken from the deposits of dolomites, plaster and limestone. Water sources may have rigidity in different ranges. There are several stiffness systems. Abroad, it is suitable more "harsh". For example, we are considered soft with a rigidity of 0-4 mM-eq / l, and in the USA - 0-1.5 mg-eq / l; Very rigid water in Russia - over 12 mg / l, and in the United States - over 6 mgq / l.

The rigidity of low-mineralized water by 80% is due to calcium ions. With increasing mineralization, the share of calcium ions is sharply reduced, and magnesium ions increase.

Most often surface waters Possess less rigidity than underground. Also stiffness depends on the season: during melting of the snow, it decreases.

The rigidity of drinking water changes its taste. Sensitivity threshold for calcium ion - from 2 to 6 mg-eq / l depends on the anions. Water becomes bitter and poorly affects the process of digestion. WHO does not give any recommendations on water hardness, as there is no accurate evidence of its influence on the human body.

Restriction of stiffness is necessary for heating devices. For example, in boilers - up to 0.1 mM-eq / l. Soft water has low alkalinity and causes corrosion of plumbing communications. Communal services use special processing to find a compromise between the raid and corrosion.

There are three groups of water softening methods:

  • physical;
  • chemical;
  • extrasessor.

Reagent water softening methods

Ion exchange

Chemical methods are based on ion exchange. The filtering mass is ion exchange resin. It is long molecules that collected in balls yellow color. From the balls are small processes with sodium ions.

During filtration, water impresses all resin, and its salts become sodium. Sodium itself is carried out with water. Due to the difference of charge charges, the ions are washed 2 times more salts than settled. Over time, salts are all replaced and resin ceases to work. Period of work for each resin is yours.

The ion exchange resin can be in cartridges or pumped into a long bologna - column. Cartridges are small and used only to reduce drinking water stiffness. Ideal for softening water at home. Ion exchange column is used to soften water in an apartment or small production. In addition to the high cost of the column, it should be periodically loaded with a reduced filtering mass.

If sodium ions remained in the cartridge resin, it is simply replaced with a new one, and the old one is thrown away. When using ion exchange colone, the resin is restored in a special tank with brine. To do this, dissolve salt tableting. The saline solution regenerates the ability of the resin to the exchange of ions.

The opposite side is the additional water ability to remove the iron. It clogs the resin and leads it to complete unsuitability. You should make water analysis in time!

Use of other chemical reagents

There are a number of less popular, but effective ways to softening water:

  • calcined soda or lime;
  • polyphosphates;
  • anti-Calants - compounds against the formation of scale.
Softening lime and soda

Softening water soda

The method of softening water using lime is called lime. Use hawed lime. The content of carbonates is reduced.

A mixture of soda and lime most effectively. For clarity of water softening at home, you can add a calcined soda to the water for washing. On bucket take 1-2 teaspoons. Well stirred and wait for precipitation. A similar method used women in ancient Greece using oven ash.

Water after lime and soda is not suitable for food purposes!

Softening polyphosphates

Polyphosphates are able to bind the salts of rigidity. They are large white crystals. Water passes through the filter and dissolves polyphosphates, tying salt.

The disadvantage is the danger of polyphosphates for living organisms, including a person. They are a fertilizer: after entering the water, an active growth of algae is observed.

Polyphosphates are also unsuitable for softening drinking water!

Physical water softening method

Physical methods are struggling with the effects of high rigidity - scale. This is a non-deceptible water purification. When it is used, there is no decrease in salt concentration, and it is simply prevented by damage to pipes and heating elements. Water becomes soft or for greater understanding - softened.

The following physical methods are distinguished:

  • using the magnetic field;
  • using an electric field;
  • ultrasonic processing;
  • thermal method;
  • the use of minor current pulses.
A magnetic field

A negligent water softening with a magnetic field has many nuances. Efficiency is achieved only subject to certain rules:

  • defined water flow rate;
  • selected field strength;
  • a certain ionic and molecular composition of water;
  • the temperature of the incoming and outgoing water;
  • time of processing;
  • atmosphere pressure;
  • water pressure, etc.

Changing any parameter requires full reconfiguration of the entire system. The reaction must be immediate. Despite the complexity of control of parameters, the magnetic softening of water is used in boiler rooms.

But for the softening of water at home with the help of a magnetic field is almost impossible. When desire to purchase a magnet on a pipeline, think how you pick up and will provide the necessary parameters.

Using ultrasound

Ultrasound leads to cavitation - the formation of gas bubbles. The likelihood of a magnesium and calcium ions encouragement. Crystallization centers appear not on the surface of the pipes, but in the thickness of the water.

When softening hot water The ultrasound of the crystals do not reach the size required for precipitation - the scale is not formed on heat exchange surfaces.

Additionally, high-frequency oscillations occur, which prevent the formation of plaque: repel the crystals from the surface.

Flexible fluctuations are detrimental for the formed layer of scale. She begins to dig in pieces that can clog the channels. Before using ultrasound, clean the surfaces from scale.

Electromagnetic impulses

Current water softeners based on electromagnetic pulses change the method of crystallization of salts. Dynamic electrical impulses with different characteristics are created. They go along the wire-winding on the pipe. Crystals acquire the shape of long shelves, which is difficult to fix on the surface of the heat exchange.

During the processing process, carbon dioxide is distinguished, which is struggling with an already existing lime bloom and forms a protective film on metal surfaces.

Thermomeness

Someone hears about this method for the first time. But in fact it uses every since childhood. This is familiar to us boiling water.

Everyone noticed that after boiling water, a precipitate from stiffery salts is formed. Coffee or tea makes softer water than plumbing.

And how much should you boil? Everything is simple: with increasing temperature and its effects of stiffness salts are less soluble and more falls out of the sediment. In the process of heating, carbon dioxide is released. The faster it disappears, the more the limestone flare is formed. A tightly closed cover prevents the removal of carbon dioxide, and liquid evaporates in an open container.

When using thermoemium, leaving the lid in the tank slightly open. You should also provide the maximum deposition area of \u200b\u200bsalts to accelerate the softening of drinking water.

With stiffness up to 4 mg-eq / l, thermal softening is not necessary: \u200b\u200bSalts will settle more slowly than water evaporates. The remaining water will be an increased concentration of many impurities.

Excess iron, magnesium and calcium salts increases water rigidity.

It negatively affects the work. household appliances Both equipment, hair condition, nails and skin, provokes the development of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

How to safely soften tough water using simple and affordable ways?

Signs of high rigidity

What is the rigidity of water? This is an indicator that determines the level of magnesium and calcium salts, which are included in chemical composition liquids. Units of measurement - mole / cubic meters and mg.ex. / Liter.

Rigid water is a frequent phenomenon that is due to the effect of groundwater saturated with salts of chemical elements. In addition, such a liquid may contain chloride and phosphate compounds, as well as various organic pollutants.

To determine the hardness of water with your own hands, it is recommended to use a special device - a conductor intended for measuring the fluid electrical parameter. The high indicator indicates an increased concentration of metals salts in water.

In the process of boiling, chemical salts form a sedimentary mass, but most of The compounds fall into the human body, settle on the walls of the instruments, equipment and equipment.

What water will be tough? The main signs of increased salts concentration are as follows:

  • detergents poorly foam;
  • after boiling, scale and white flare is formed;
  • after washing things and washing dishes remain characteristic divorces;
  • hard liquid acquires an unpleasant bitter taste;
  • water has a negative impact on performance features fabrics;
  • increased salts concentration leads to diseases of the excretory system, as well as to the flabbiness and dryness of the skin.

Types of hard water

According to the degree of hardness (in degrees), water happens:

  • Soft (from 0 to 2 degrees). It is widespread in the area with a large number of swamps and peatlands. This category also includes clean melt water.
  • Middle (from 2 to 7 degrees). This type of fluid is distributed in almost any terrain. As a rule, provide private households with water medium hardness.
  • Tough (from 7.1 to 11 degrees). It occurs in territories with an overpressure of chemical salts and pollutants. It has a negative impact on the human body.
  • Super suspended (from 11 degrees). Natural water Tough makes a close location of the caves and mines, so it is not used for drinking.

At the concentration of chemicals, water rigidity may be:

  • Constant. It is determined by the presence of aggressive components and salts of metal resistant to the decay during the boiling process. Special filtering systems are used to delete them.
  • Temporary. It is determined by the time presence of calcium and magnesium salts, the heating of which leads to the breakdown and the formation of sedimentary mass. This means that it is possible to remove such compounds with conventional heat treatment.

Many consumers are interested in the answer to a fairly common question - how to soften the water at home? Are there effective methods Mitigating water that can be easily implemented in practice?

  • thermal processing;
  • freezing;
  • reagent impact;
  • filtration.

Elimination of hardness to heat treatment (boiling)

The easiest way to mitigate water at home is thermal processing, i.e. boiling. The effects of high temperatures leads to the destruction of ionic ties between the chemical elements and the formation of the sediment. Next, soft water can be used in drinking and economic purposes.

Boiling water is carried out as follows:

  • hard water is poured into the container and is brought to a boil;
  • after boiling, the water is cooled to room temperature and overflows into a clean container.

A more complex option provides for boiling water for an hour and upholding within 24 hours.

Boiling metal salts, carbon dioxide pairs, compound chloride and mechanical impurities.

Despite its relevance and simplicity, thermal processing has some drawbacks:

  • boiling leads to a rapid formation of a lime-based plaque, which is difficult to remove;
  • boiled water is not suitable for watering houseplants;
  • prolonged use fluid after the heat treatment can lead to deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • water changes its organoleptic characteristics.

Freezing - a simple and effective way

Reduce water rigidity can be conventional freezing or freezing. This method provides for the impact of low temperature modes on salts of chemical elements with the formation of crystals. Mitigating water in this case occurs gradually, without changing the structure of the fluid.

Freezing is performed as follows:

  • the container is filled with water and loaded into the freezer;
  • after freezing, 75% of the fluid merges the residue in which all the harmful elements are contained;
  • melted liquid becomes potable, which means it can be used for cooking, watering flowers and wash things out of delicate fabrics.

The only disadvantage of such a method is the complexity of the preparation of a large amount of melt water.

Processing with chemical and food reagents

Mitigating rigid water with reagents - an effective way to combat metals salts. The effects of chemicals on impurities in water leads to the formation of sedimentary mass. For these purposes, the following reagents are used:

  • Baking soda. It helps reduce the acidity and concentration of salts. The softening of water soda occurs as follows: 2 h is used for washing. At 11 liters, for cooking - 1 tsp. on 3 liters.
  • Soda calcined (caustic). It is used to mitigate the liquid intended for household and economic needs - 2 h. on 11 liters. For food purposes, such a liquid cannot be used.
  • Lemon and acetic acid, lemon juice. Natural food reagents that contribute to mitigation and oxidation of water. Used to eliminate scale in dishes and when rinse hair. Optimal concentration - on 2 liters of water 1 tbsp. l. acetic acid, 1 tsp. citric acid or lemon juice.
  • Synthetic reagents in tablet and powder form. Eliminate increased rigidity can be special chemicals designed for dishwasher or washing equipment.

The disadvantages of this method include:

  • the need to comply with the exact dosage of each reagent;
  • maintaining storage conditions special Tools - caustic soda and synthetic softeners at home in accordance with the recommendations of manufacturers. The exceptions are food reagents - soda, vinegar and citric acid.

Reducing stiffness by filtering systems

How to make water soft if it is mined from a well or well erected near the house?

  • Filters of a pitcher type. This is the most demanded method of cleaning and softening tap or well water. This is the name of the filter, an externally resembling a jug, equipped with a coal cartridge for cleaning. A small capacity allows you to filter from 1 to 4 liters of water for one cycle. Rigid water purified by a pitched filter acquires not only softness, but also a specific taste. The frequency of replacing the cartridge - every 2 months.
  • Ion exchange plants. Such filtering systems are represented by two tanks equipped with special filters based on ion exchange resins and salt solution. Initially, rigid water enters the reservoir with resins, and then enters the container with the salt solution. Why in this case liquid loses rigidity? Since it is saturated with sodium, which gradually displaces the salts of magnesium and calcium.
  • . This is the most effective method of cleaning and softening the liquid. Installation is equipped with a special membrane filter creating a working pressure inside the chamber. Due to this, rigid water is completely cleaned from third-party impurities, which means it becomes soft.

It is possible to solve the problem of high rigidity of water on your own, it is enough to apply effective ways in practice or to introduce a unique author's technique.

In one filter, it is simultaneously removed from water: mechanical impurities, dissolved, colloidal and organic iron, manganese, natural organic compounds (humic and fulvocyuslots and their salts), solids of rigidity and heavy metals.

Price: from 32 900 rubles.

We will select a solution for you!

According to statistics, 90% of water heating and plumbing equipment breaks out due to rigid water. Skip is formed, pipelines are clogged, water heaters lose power, the household appliances fail. Higher hard rigidity and people. The organs formed sand and stones, the vessels and heart suffer, the skin becomes dry, dermatitis arise. To houses there were no accidents, and health did not deteriorate, produce softening water With filters.

Stiffness is the property of water, depending on the dissolved form of calcium salts (CA) and in a smaller silicon concentration (Si Lat. Silicium), magnesium (Mg).

  • Carbonate
  • Necarbonate
  • General

Carbonate is temporary. Easily cleaned with boiling. Determined by the presence of calcium hydrocarbonates (Calcium), magnesium. Chemical formula - Ca (NSO3) 2; Mg (NSO3) 2. Forms a scale in hot water pipelines, in kettle, on water heating elements of boilers, boilers.

Noncarbonate constant. Boiling is not deleted. Due to the presence of salts, which differ in properties from carbonate. Basically, these are chlorides (CaCl2, MgCl2), sulfates (Caso4, MgSO4).

The total rigidity is the amount of the 1st and 2nd stiffness. The final indicator of the content in the liquid of all present ions and magnesium compounds, calcium. From 2014, updated standards have appeared, for which this parameter is measured in the degrees of rigidity - ° F \u003d 1 mG-eq per liter. Over common rigidity water:

  • Tough - more than 10 ° F
  • Medium hardness - 2-10
  • Soft - up to 2

In Europe, the norm of concentration is 2.5; In the Russian Federation - 7.

In the well water "rigid" chemical compounds fall from soluble rocks, which consist of dolomite, lime, gypsum. If the region is rich in these minerals, they will definitely in the water. Need filter for water softening.

Why soften homemade water

"Hard" salts are gradually accumulated in the body. Vessels are cleaned. Heads heart. Stones appear in the kidneys and other organs and cavities of the body. Urolithiasis occurs. The use of waters of high rigidity causes serious harm to health. Besides:

  • Formed on heaters and inside heating radiators, scale reduces heat transfer
  • Detergents give little foam. Consumption of household chemicals rises by 60%
  • Dishes are preparing longer. Meat after cooking remains hard
  • 1 Millimeter scale increases power consumption by 10%
  • Leads to overheating heating tens. Is the cause of 90% breakdown of water heaters

Hard water worsens appearance. The skin dries out, flakes. Dermatitis, acne appear, redness. The hair is not washed, they look untidy, become disobedient. At the teeth formed a flight.

Hard water is dangerous for newborns. Increases the likelihood of eczema and atopic dermatitis at constant use, bathing. Symptoms appear already in 3 months. Eczema becomes the reason for the appearance of autoimmune allergies and further to food allergies, asthma.

Best Protection - Buy and Install water soften filter. Water treatment and cleaning devices are well softened, make household water suitable for drinking, economic use.

Strong magnets are also used in water purification. Liquid is passed through a powerful magnetic field. As a result, water changes physical characteristics, dissolved impurities lose the ability to form salts, and, consequently, scale. In addition, the magnetized water destroys and removes already postponed layers of scale. Technology is effective with small content of calcium, silicon, magnesium ions.

Fluid affect electric field High charges with special membranes. Stiffness ions and some other substances are removed. The technology is used for the desalination of seawater in industrial volumes, in the production of table salt and to prepare water in thermal power plants.

Make with reagents. CA (OH) 2, sodium orthophosphate Na3PO4 or calcined soda Na2CO3 is used. When interacting with the reagent, the stiffness salt takes an insoluble appearance, settled on the bottom and are easily filtered. This technology is justified when cleaning large volumes of fluid. When applied, a number of specific technological problems arise. Need accurate dosage of the chemical reagent.

Technology refers to reagent softening techniques. For water purification, granulated filtering backfills are used, mainly ion-exchange resins that are loaded into water softening filters. When interacting with granules of resin from the liquid, ions of "hard" compounds, as well as iron, manganese are collected. Depending on the type of filter material in the process of ion exchange, sodium, potassium or hydrogen ions are formed. With competently selected load, it is possible to reduce the rigidity to 0.1-0.01 ° F, even with ultrahigh mineralization.

Advantages of ion exchange filters:

  • Price by 20-50% below
  • Universal. Suitable for cottages, country houses, urban apartments. Put on wells, wells, crash into urban water pipelines
  • Productive. One cylinder is removed hardness, iron, extra minerals, manganese, organic compounds and other pollutants
  • Eliminate ultrahigh concentration of iron - up to 30 mg

Over time, the resins are clogged with pollutants who held chemical bonds, and cease to soften water. However, the reaction of the ion exchange is reversible. If the solution of the sole salt is passed through the resin, the impurities are separated, and the sodium contained in salt will take the resulting emptiness. Separated pollutants are washed away into the drainage. The renewed resin again cleans and softens the water.

Water has an exceptionally high solvent ability. Falling out as atmospheric precipitation, it dissolves in the atmosphere of gases, including carbon dioxide. In the future, seeping into the ground, water captures an additional amount of carbon dioxide as a product of the decomposition of objects of alive and not wildlife. Interacting with water, carbon dioxide forms coalic acid, increasing the potential for dissolving minerals and other impurities. Passing through the limestone layer, it is saturated with calcium and magnesium ions responsible for rigidity. Iron and manganese in the sources are in smaller concentrations than calcium and magnesium ions. Since water is a solvent, it captures soluble chlorides, sulfates, calcium and magnesium nitrates. Similarly, it absorbs carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sodium sulphate compounds, as well as a certain amount of silica.

In general, with detailed analysis It can be detected in a greater or less concentration almost all elements of the Mendeleva table.

Rigidity It is divided into bicarbonate, called still temporary, and non-carbonate (chloride, sulfate, nitrate) - constant. Temporary rigidity eliminated when boiling (raid on the heating element), constant rigidity When heated is not eliminated.

Cleaning from stiffness salts is called softening. The rigidity of water in the territory of the Russian Federation is measured in MM-EQ / liter units and, depending on the industry, the requirements for the level of rigidity are changed from 7 MG-EQ / L (household targets) to units of MEq / liter and less in medicine , electronics, energy, nuclear industry. The permissible rigidity of water 7 mg-eq / l does not carry a serious hazard of health, but creates a number of household problems. Hard water causes the formation of precipitation and raids on the surface of pipelines and working elements of household appliances. This problem is particularly relevant for instruments with heating elements - water heating and steam boilers, boilers and other heat exchange equipment.

Elimination of rigidity - softening is carried out using an ion-exchange resin. The ion-exchange resin is a polymer consisting of a polymer matrix and functional groups. The polymer matrix is \u200b\u200bsynthesized from the styrene monomer in the presence of binding divinylbenzene. In the synthesis process, the alcohol is used, which at a certain point evaporates, and leaving the matrix, generates pores. Then the functional groups are then introduced into the matrix. The functional group consists of two parts: a fixed attached to the matrix, and the movable part. If the roller part of the functional group serves as a cation, and a fixed anion, then the resin is called cation exchange, and if the moving part of the anion is an anion exchange. The cation exchange resin can be in sodium form (na-cation-exchange resin) or in hydrogen form (H-cation-exchange resin).

The softening process of ion-exchange resin

Purification by ion exchange resins

The ion exchange resin falls asleep in the column, filling 60-65% of the total filter. Hard water enters the column and, since the ion exchange material has greater chemical affinity with calcium and magnesium than with sodium ions, the latter are displaced with them from the resin. Replacing calcium and magnesium cations on sodium cations occurs in equivalent ratios. Water containing calcium and magnesium bicarbonate ions at the entrance, at the output of it will contain an equivalent amount of sodium bicarbonates. The number of sodium ions on the resin is limited, therefore the moment occurs when the resin ceases to soften water, that is, the exchange capacity of the resin is exhausted. To recharge the resin or its regeneration, the process of reverse ion exchange is launched, during which the ion exchange resin is exposed to a concentrated solution of the source type of cations. For the regeneration of the Na-cation exchange resin, a relatively strong sodium chloride solution is used. Sodium from the solution displaces calcium and magnesium from the resin, recharging it.

Installation of softening, cleaning by ion exchange resins:
Constructively, the softening setting consists of three parts: cylinders with an ion exchange resin and water pipe, a control valve with an electronic controller and a salt-solving container. Controllers are two types: regeneration occurs in time and regeneration occurs in volume. When time regeneration, the controller translates the installation to the regeneration mode through a certain number of hours, days or on a certain day of the week. When regeneration by volume, the control valve has a built-in meter of water, and through a certain amount of water pasted through water installation, the controller translates it into regeneration mode. This volume is called the installation filtercycle and is calculated by the water stiffeness controller, the volume and capacity of the download, which are entered into the controller at the programming stage.

In cases where uninterrupted support for soft water is required, two identical filters operating in Twin or Duplex mode can be used. In Twin mode, one controller controls two control valves. When one filter softens the water, it is in working mode, the second with the degenerated resin is in standby mode. When the first filter filter is exhausted, the control valve translates the second filter to the filtering mode, and the first to the regeneration mode. After completing the regeneration, the first filter switches to standby mode, and is in it until the second filtering is over. The cleaning process is cyclically repeated, the filters work alternately.

In the Duplex mode, the filters function simultaneously and alternately translated according to a given program to the regeneration mode with a shift of its start to the duration of the regeneration cycle.

Water softening lime

In cases where it is necessary to soften water with high carbonate rigidity (more than 30 mg-eq / l), it is impractical to apply an ion exchange resin. It should be pre-reduced the rigidity using the lime technology. Water softening with lime and calcined soda provides for the dosing of the hazed lime Ca (OH) 2 into rigid water to remove carbonate stiffness by deposition and subsequent sediment filtering. The necarbonate rigidity, in turn, decreases with the addition of Na2CO3 soda for the formation of an insoluble sediment, which is also removed by filtration.

This method is used on water volts and enterprises with high water consumption. This is a fairly effective method for reducing water rigidity, however, it does not allow to completely remove all minerals.

Haired lime is used to remove calcium bicarbonate from water. Where calcium and magnesium are contained in the form of chlorides or sulfates, such a treatment is noticeably less efficient.

Reducing water rigidity with lime and calcined soda becomes extremely expensive if the rigidity must be reduced to the level of less than 2 mG-eq / l. For household purposes, water softening lime and calcined soda is impractical. On the one hand, there are difficulties in submitting lime and calcined soda, on the other hand - the remaining control of the process of settling and filtering. Another restraining factor for using this process are the dimensions necessary equipment and a large number of emissions lime sludge.

How to soften hard water. Methods, tips, harm and benefits, different methods, features and permissible indicators.

We all heard about the dangers of hard water - not only for kitchen appliances and heating equipmentBut for the human body. However, few people know that its rigidity is different in "origin", and besides, it is not absolute evil. Therefore, today we will look at how you can make the most effective mitigation of water for drinking and household needs to get a maximum benefit from it.

Features of hard water

Water becomes rigid from dissolved salts - calcium and / or magnesium compounds (the latter cations are much less common). There are other elements whose presence can be reflected in the finite stiffness indicators, for example, manganese, strontium, barium. But their influence is so insignificant that it is simply not taken into account.

The overall rigidity indicator is made to divide in accordance with the composition of salts:

  1. Carbonate or temporal rigidity - determines the content of Ca and Mg hydrocarbonates in the water at a pH level exceeding 8.3 units. It can be easily cope with long boiling - after an hour of salt, it will simply be scented under the action high temperatures And fall into the sediment.
  2. Non-gonnet rigidity is the name constant, because it is so easy to get rid of it. It determines the content of stable salts of various acids, which do not disintegrate and should be removed in other ways, for example, by reverse osmosis.

In the amount of these two indicators, they give overall rigidity, although it is difficult to calculate them and expensive. Usually, special reagents or strips are used to determine the actual salt content of salts.

But that in your system is hard water, you can learn without laboratory research. In the process of use, it gives a lot of problems that simply impossible not to notice:

  • White traces on postgraded things;
  • Weak foaming detergents, and as a result - their ineffectiveness;
  • Scale on the walls of the kettle (and imagine what happens to the heat of boilers, washing and dishwashers);
  • Constantly appearing plaque on the mixer and washing.


Human organism rigid water is also considerable harm. The feeling of dryness of the skin after contact with such a medium is nothing more than flushing a protective lipid film from its surface. And the use of this water inside without prior softening can provoke a urolithiasis.

But this does not mean that water mitigation must be total, even if it is used for drinking and cooking. Completely devoid of salts, the liquid leads to a deficiency of calcium and magnesium ions in the body, which is negatively reflected in the operation of the cardiovascular system. Harm and the benefits of drinking water stiffness are one of the medical paradoxes. But it is permitted simply - compliance with the measure.

From the point of view of doctors, consumption is too tight, as well as unnecessarily soft water, is unacceptable. Here you need to stick with the Golden Middle.

"Rady" water is capable of harming and steel pipes plumbing I. heating systems - Because of it, they are more corrosion wear and serve less than pipelines transporting hard media.

Folk ways of softening

Our grandmothers came across the challenges of hard water, and they had a minimum of their use of her use. Therefore, simple I. available methods Softening in the piggy bank of folk wisdom is enough. We give the most popular of them.


Boiling (and not in the electric kettle, but on the stove, since to achieve necessary effect The decay of stiffness salts is possible only with prolonged heating). After this fluid, you need to give a day to stand, and only then carefully drain it without clutching the sediment at the bottom.

Fractional is a more sparing way that will allow at least partially to maintain useful substances in water and not spoil the taste. The transparent capacity with water should be sent to the freezer and monitor its freezing. As soon as 75-80% of the total volume turns into ice, it is ass and drained the liquid residue - the salts are concentrated in it, which give high rigidity.

Settlement. You will need to simply pour water into any container and remove away from the sunny rays for 3-6 days. After that, it is necessary to carefully drain the upper layers without disturbing the precipitate. For drinking such water will not suit, but for use in everyday life - quite.

Adding silicon or shungitis - minerals, literally absorbing the salt of rigidity. Our great-grandfathers were blocked by a silicon flap well to mitigate the water stored in them. It is also available to us easier: you only need to omit sterile silicon stones or shungitis into a container with drinking water. Natural absorbents will absorb salt and after 2-3 days, although many recommend to increase this period until the week.

Washed is one of the ways to prepare water for washing. It will be necessary to grasp 15-20 g of household or toilet soap and dissolve it in 0.5 liters of water until complete dissolution and appearance of foam. This quantity is enough for a bucket of fluid, after which everything you need to defend at least the night - soap will enter the reaction with the salts and send them to the sediment. In the morning, the solution is neatly overflowing into another container and boric acid (2-3 st. L) is added to it.


Modern methods

For us, modern people, there is more simple waysHow to soften hard water. To do this, it is enough to buy and embed into the system of softening filters with ion exchange resins. They are dual reservoirs and work according to this principle:

  1. Hard water enters the compartment with a resin, which "removes" from it calcium, magnesium ions and other alkaline earth elements.
  2. The depleted liquid flows into the second tank with a conventional cooking salt, which is enriched with sodium ions - much more useful for the body.
  3. Remains with "harmful" elements are removed along with drains.

At the exit we get safe and tasty softened water normalized rigidity. It can be used for both domestic needs and drinking or cooking.

IN different countries There are rigidity rates. We have maximum rates for drinking water installed at 7 mg-eq / l, for technical - no more than 9 mG-eq / l.


The softening effect is obtained and after the water turn through the system. reverse osmosis. It acts completely differently: pushes a liquid through a special membrane with very small pores (the size of 0.0001 micron) and delays impurities at the molecular level. Thus, water is exempt not only from salts, but also from bacteria and other extraneous elements, turning into almost distillate.

Alas, the constant use of it in food brings more harm than good. Therefore, after cleaning and softening, such water is desirable to pass through a system of mineralizers, which will enrich its safe substances and restore the optimal rigidity. However, for household needs it is quite suitable.

Also to protect equipment from hard water, various additives are used:

  • Food, calcined soda;
  • Citric acid;
  • Vinegar;
  • Any polyphosphate based water softener (Calgon, Eionis, Sodasan, etc.).