Water Softening & Demineralization – IONTEC

The ion exchange system IONTEC softens water used for soft drinks and mineral water or for steam generation. Water hardness causes scale deposits in piping and process systems.

For ion exchange there are ion exchange resins in the unit. These resins are insoluble granular polymers appropriate for the specific application. In their molecular structure they contain loosely held positive cations or negative anions. These ions exchange with the ions in the treated water as it passes through the unit.

For softening of water a cation resin containing Na⁺ is applied. The calcium and magnesium ions which form hardness in water, creating scale deposits, are exchanged for the sodium ions of the resin. The resin binds more strongly with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ than with Na⁺. When most of the ions in the resin have been replaced the resin is exhausted and a regeneration cycle is initiated. Regeneration with brine strips out Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ from the exhausted resin.

For water demineralization basically all dissolved ions are removed from the water. Therefore, the water passes through a cation resin containing H⁺ to replace all cations and through an anion resin containing OH^– to replace all anions. The H⁺ and OH^– then combine and form purified water. For regeneration the cation resin is treated with an acid. The anion resin is regenerated with a strong base. Cation and anion resin can be in separate vessels or together in a single vessel (mixed bed design). Systems for ion exchange are often used as the initial steps in a more complex water purification regime.

• All stainless steel execution as standard
• Mixed bed design on demand for water demineralization
• Customized modular design with a standard PLC
• Skid mounted for easy installation and start-up
• Hygienic execution and full CIP capability