External softening
methods: Zeolite and Ion
exchange method
Session No.: 04
Course Name: Environmental Impact Analysis
Course Code: C1UB120T
Instructor Name: Dr. Roopali Sharma
Galgotias University 1
Review of the key concepts of session no. 3
Boiler
Troubles:
Foaming Priming Particles
carried
Continuous along with
foam due to the steam
oily
substances
Degradation of
Boiler corrosion
Caustic boiler
embitterm materials (Fe)
ent due to
NaOH
Galgotias University 2
Which external softening
Reflectio method produces 10-15
n of Pre- ppm hardness containing
session water?
activity
Galgotias University 3
External water
softening
Session methods: 1.
Outline Zeolite Process
2. Ion exchange
method
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At the end of this session students will be able to
Learning Outcome : analyze
different external water softening
methods.
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Softening of hard
water (External
treatment of Boiler
Feed Water)
Zeolite (Permutit) method of Softening of water
Zeolite is a Hydrated Sodium
Alumino Silicate, capable of
exchanging its sodium ions
with hardness producing
cations in water.
The general chemical structure
of zeolite is given below
Na2O.Al2O3.xSiO2.yH2O
(x = 2-10 and y = 2-6)
Micro pores of
Porous Structure of zeolite
Zeolite
Process of softening by Zeolite method
Zeolite can be simply represented as Na2Ze, where Ze represents insoluble radical
which holds sodium ions loosely. When hard water is passed through Zeolite, Ca 2+
and Mg2+ ions are retained by zeolite as CaZe and MgZe.
To remove temporary hardness
Na2Ze + Ca(HCO3)2 CaZe + 2NaHCO 3
Hardness Scale formation
Na2Ze + Mg(HCO3)2 MgZe + 2NaHCO 3
To remove permanent hardness
Na2Ze + CaCl2 CaZe + 2NaCl
water
Na2Ze + MgSO4 MgZe + Na 2SO4
Regeneration of Zeolite Bed
After some time zeolite bed gets exhausted. Which is regenerated by using NaCl
Solution (10% Brine Sol NH4Cl + NaOH → NaCl + NH4OH)
CaZe (or) MgZe + 2NaCl Na 2Ze + CaCl2 or (MgSO4)
Used 10% brine Regenera Washin
Zeolit solution ted gs
e Zeolite drained
Zeolite softener
Hard water in
Hard water spray
Zeolite bed
Gravel
Injector
Softened water
NaCl storage To
sink
Advantages / Merits of Zeolite process
1. It automatically adjust itself according to hardness of water.
2. Soft water of 10-15 ppm can be produced by this method
3. The equipment is cheap and occupies less space
4. It does not require more time and skill
Disadvantages / Limitations / Demerits of Zeolite
process
1. If the water is turbid than output is reduced.
2. Treated water contains more sodium salts.
3. The process cannot be used with highly acidic water.
Activity : Wooclap (fill in the blank)
1.NaCl is used for
regeneration of Zeolite
Softner.
2.Soft water of 10-15 ppm
can be produced by
zeolite method.
Ion-Exchange resin
Ion exchange resin
Ion exchange resins are insoluble,
cross linked, long chain polymers
having functional groups
responsible for the “ion-exchange”
properties.
Types of Ion Exchange Resins: Two types
Cation Exchange Resins Anion Exchange Resins
• These resins containing • These resins containing
acidic functional groups basic functional groups
(i.e. -COOH, -SO3H (i.e. quaternary
etc.) which are capable ammonium group) which
of exchanging their H+ on hydrolysis becomes
ions with Hardness capable of exchanging
producing cations. their OH- ions with
hardness producing
• These are denoted by R– anions.
H+.
• These are denoted by R+
• Example- Zeocarb, OH–.
Dowex-50 etc. • Example- Dowex–3,
Amberlite – 400 etc.
Structure of Cation and Anion
exchange resins
Cation exchange resin Anion exchange resin
R = CH3
Water Softening
• The hard water is passed first through cation
exchange column, which removes all the cations (like
Ca2+, Mg2+ etc.) from it and equivalent amount of H +
ions are released
2from
this
2 column
to water.
2 R H Ca R2 Ca 2 H
2 R H Mg 2 R2 Mg 2 2 H
• Now hard water is passed through anion exchange
column, where all the anions like Cl -, SO42- etc. are
removed from
water
and
equivalent
amount of OH-
OH Cl from
ions are Rreleased R Cl this
OHcolumn to water.
2 R OH SO42 R2 SO42 2OH
• H+ and OH– ions (released from cation and anion
exchange columns)
H OH get
Hcombined to produce water
2O
molecule.
Regeneration of ion exchange resins
cation exchange resin is treated with acid
(dil HCl or dil H2SO4) and anion exchange
resin is treated with a base (NaOH)
solutions to regenerate these resins
Regeneration of Cation exchange resin
R2Ca2+ + 2H+ (dil. HCl (or) H2SO4) 2 RH+ + Ca2+ (CaCl2,washings)
Regeneration of Anion exchange resin
R2SO42- + 2OH- (dil. NaOH) 2 ROH- + SO42- (Na2SO4, washings)
Ion exchange purifier or softener
Hard water
Gravel bed
Cation exchange Anion exchange
Resin Resin
Injector
Acid solution
for regeneration
of resin
Wastages to sink Alkaline solution for regeneration
pump of resin
Wastages to sink
Soft water
Advantages
1. The process can be used to soften highly acidic or
alkaline waters
2. It produces water of very low hardness of 1-2ppm.
So the treated waters by this method can be used
in high pressure boilers
3. It removes both types (cationic & anionic) of
hardness impurities.
Disadvantages
1. The setup is costly and more expensive
Chemicals are required.
2. It requires more time and space.
3. If turbidity is present output is reduced.
Activity : Reflection on Padl
Activity : Think Pair Share
Why Ion Exchange
process is better than
Zeolite process?
Activity : Review of the reflection on Padlet
Comparison of Zeolite Process and Ion Exchange
process
Zeolite Process Ion Exchange Process
• Advantages
• Advantages 1. The process can be used to soften highly
acidic or alkaline waters
1. It automatically adjust itself according to hardness of
water. 2. It produces water of very low hardness of
2. Soft water of 10-15 ppm can be produced by this 1-2ppm. So the treated waters by this
method method can be used in high pressure
boilers
3. The equipment is cheap and occupies less space
3. It removes both types (cationic & anionic)
4. It does not require more time and skill of hardness impurities.
• Disadvantages • Disadvantages
1. If the water is turbid than output is reduced.
1. The setup is costly and more
expensive Chemicals are required.
2. Treated water contains more sodium salts.
2. It requires more time and space.
3. The process cannot be used with highly acidic water.
3. If turbidity is present output is
reduced.
Summary
The Zeolite method removes hardness using
sodium alumino-silicate, while the ion-
exchange method removes both cations and
anions, producing ultra-soft water but
requiring costly regeneration.
Galgotias University 21
At the end of this session students will be able to
Learning Outcome : analyze
different external water softening
methods.
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Next topic of the course:
Reverse osmosis and
Lime-soda process
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Students
Feedback:
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