What is the difference between softening water and filtering water?
You don’t have to be a hydrologist to understand the basic principles behind water filtration and water softening. Here’s an abridged version of what happens when you filter or soften water. Filtering water involves separating mineral particles, like particulates, iron, hydrogen sulfide or other organic matter, from H2O. By passing water through a “filter bed” or “media bed”,these granular particles are trapped – and clean water passes through the bed. Softening water involves something called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals – like calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese – that can’t be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners use fresh resin beads with sodium attached to the resin. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin passes up the sodium in exchange for the dissolved chemicals and the water is then rid of these impurities.
Filtering water involves removing small particles or gasses like sediment, manganese, iron, chlorine or hydrogen sulfide from a water supply . By passing water through a “filter bed,” these particles (in sizes as small as 10 microns)- are trapped and clean, water passes through the bed. Periodically the filter must be backwashed. That is the unit must be taken off-line and the flow of water through the filter reversed. This reverse flow is then directed to a drain in order for the trapped sediment to be rinsed out of the filter bed. Once completed, the filter is returned to an on-line status. Softening water involves a process called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals – like calcium, magnesium, -and iron- that are too small to be trapped in a filter bed. Water softeners use polystyrene resin beads for this process. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin, removing them from the water supply. Eventually the resin beads will be unable
Filtering water involves separating mineral particles, like particulates, iron, hydrogen sulphide or other organic matter, from water. Be it through a “filter bed,” or “media bed,” these undesirable particles are trapped – and the cleaned water passes on through the bed. Softening water involves something called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals – like calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese – that can’t be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners use fresh resin beads with sodium attached to the resin. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin passes up the sodium in exchange for the dissolved chemicals, leaving the water clear of these elements.
You don’t have to be a hydrologist to understand the basic principles behind water filtration and water softening. Here’s an abridged version of what happens when you filter or soften water: Filtering water involves separating mineral particles, like particulates, iron, hydrogen sulfide or other organic matter, from H2O. By passing water through a “filter bed,” or “media bed,” these granular particles are trapped – and clean water passes through the bed. Softening water involves something called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals – like calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese – that can’t be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners use fresh resin beads with sodium attached to the resin. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin passes up the sodium in exchange for the dissolved chemicals and the water is then rid of these impurities. Whether you use a filter or a softener depends on whether the contaminates in your water are part
