Water Filter Systems -
Deionizers (Water Softeners)

Water Deionizers or Water Softeners generate completely demineralized water, using Cation and Anion exchange to exchange both positive and negative ions with H+ or OH- ions respectively. Water Treatment with Water Softeners or Deionizers operates on an ion exchange process remove calcium and magnesium ions as well as some other ions from the water. During this process, water passes through a special media bed; the media bed usually is supersaturated with the positive ion sodium, which is a positive ion. When hard water passes through the softening material the ion exchange process starts.

Positively charged Calcium and Magnesium ions (hardness minerals) attach themselves to the resin beads, and at the same time sodium on the resin beads is released into the water. As soon as the resin becomes saturated with calcium and magnesium, it has to be recharged. Recharging is done by passing a concentrated salt brine solution through the resin (potassium chloride can also be used to create the salt brine for softeners). The concentrated sodium replaces the trapped calcium and magnesium ions which are then discharged in the waste water.

When you’ve decided to purchase a Water Softener (Deionizer), there are three important things to consider: the regeneration control system, the ion limitations and the hardness removal capacity.

Advantages of Water Softeners:

• A Water Softener is efficient when a quality resin is used, the brine concentration on the resin bed is high and an optimal flow rate of hard water through the resin bed is ensured.

• Advantageous is the nuisance factor of hard water, because it is reduced.

• Some other cations like barium, radium and iron are reduced, depending on model and manufacturer's specifications.

• Water Deionizers are good in the final purification stages of producing completely demineralized water for medical, research, and industrial needs.

Disadvantages of Water Softeners:

• Cations exchange does not reduce the level of nitrates, or biological contaminants like viruses, cysts or bacteria.

• The elevated sodium concentration of most softened water can affect the taste and may not be good for people on low sodium diets.

• Water Deionizers don’t remove most organic and uncharged compounds.

• The process of regenerating the ion exchange bed releases salt water into the environment.

• Deionized or softened water is not recommended for watering plants, lawns and gardens regarding its high sodium content.

- Point-of-Use (POU) vs. Point-of-Entry (POE)
- SimplyPure™ Whole Home Water Filtration System

Water Filter Systems - Deionizers (Water Softeners)

Water Filter Systems -
Deionizers (Water Softeners)