What is zeolite process for water softening?

In zeolite softening, water containing scale-forming ions, such as calcium and magnesium, passes through a resin bed containing SAC resin in the sodium form. In the resin, the hardness ions are exchanged with the sodium, and the sodium diffuses into the bulk water solution.

What is zeolite How is water softened by zeolite give equation?

The natural zeolite that is used for water softening is gluconites or greensand. Permutit is the synthetic zeolite that is most used in water softening and its chemical formula is Na2O, Al2O3, nSiO2, xH2O. Hence these can remove Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions from water when hard water is passes through.

How can hardness of water be removed by zeolite process?

Hard water is passed inside a column filled with sodium-containing zeolites. Salts of calcium and magnesium are trapped by zeolites and sodium ions get released. This results in softening of water making water rich in sodium.

How is water softened by permutit or zeolite process?

We know that in the Permutit process salts which cause hardness of water are replaced by salts of sodium. Zeolites are made of aluminates and silicates which can attract many cations. In the Permutit process, we use sodium zeolites for softening hard water. The formula of sodium zeolite is Na2Al2Si3O10.

How many steps are involved in the zeolite process?

How many steps are involved in the zeolite process? Explanation: There are no steps involved in the zeolite process. The water hardness will be removed in one operation in zeolite process.

What is the basic principle of zeolite process?

Principle- Zeolite is micro-porous mineral which is used as catalyst in many industrial purposes such as water purification and air purification. Advantages- It removes the hardness almost completely (about 10 ppm hardness only). The process automatically adjust itself for variation in hardness of incoming water.

How many steps are involved in zeolite process?

The synthesis of zeolite from natural kaolin involves two basic steps: 1) metakaolinization, which is calcinations of the raw kaolin at high temperature to change chemically stable kaolin into very reactive and amorphous material, metakaolin; and 2) hydrothermal treatment of the calcined kaolin with sodium hydroxide ( …

Why zeolite is used for softening?

The sodium zeolite reacts with salts of magnesium and calcium which converts them to magnesium and calcium zeolites. After sometime sodium zeolite is completely converted to calcium and magnesium zeolites so reactions stop. Therefore, the sodium aluminium zeolite is used to soften the hardness of water.

Why is zeolite used for softening?

What is the difference between zeolite and permutit?

Permutit is a complex inorganic salt. It is a manmade zeolite. Zeolite is made up of microporous minerals which have the capacity of exchanging ions. Hence Zeolite is used to remove the hardness of the water.

What are limitations of zeolite process?

Disadvantages of zeolite process: Highly acidic water isn’t suitable for use in light of the fact that it influences the minerals. Zeolites of iron and manganese can’t be effectively recovered. Raw material must be liberated from suspended polluting influences. The water ought not be turbid.

How does the zeolite process for water softening work?

Zeolite process for water softening has become a commercial success for the reason that zeolite can be easily regenerated. When Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions containing hard water is passes through a bed of sodium zeolite, the sodium ions are replace by the calcium and magnesium ions.

Why is soda used in the zeolite process?

Mineral acids, if present in water, destroy the zeolite bed and,therefore, they must be neutralised with soda, before admitting the water to the zeolite softening plant. 8. Advantages of process: 1. It removes the hardness almost completely and water of about 10 ppm hardness is producted.

What are the disadvantages of the zeolite process?

Disadvantages of Zeolite Process: The treated-water contains more sodium salts than in lime-soda process. The method only replaces Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions by Na + ions, but leaves all the acidic ions like HCO 3– and CO 32- as such in the softened water.

When does sodium zeolite need to be regenerated?

When Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions containing hard water is passes through a bed of sodium zeolite, the sodium ions are replace by the calcium and magnesium ions. When all sodium ions are replaced by calcium and magnesium ions, the zeolite becomes inactive. Then the zeolite needs to be regenerated.