When calcium and magnesium ions build up in water they can cause scale deposits to accumulate in the water network, damaging equipment and reducing efficiency.
Electro-softening is a process that removes these ions from the water, making it soft and preventing scale build up without using high pressures or lots of chemicals like in traditional systems.
Using electricity and the water itself, the system causes soluble ions to precipitate out of the water, leaving the water soft and providing a valuable byproduct instead of another waste stream
With recent advancements in technology electro softening is now a competitive option for hard water treatment, combined with the price of solar this provides a rare opportunity to make your water services profitable while reducing your wastewater
Flow rates: 1m3/hr - 1,000m3/hr
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Technology comparison
| Electro-softening | Nanofiltration | Reverse osmosis | Ion exchange | Pellet softening | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital cost | $100-$400/m3/day | $300-$700/m3/day | $500-$1,500/m3/day | $150-$500/m3/day | $50-$300/m3/day |
| Chemical usage | $0-$0.01/m3 | $0.1-$0.3/m3 | $0.2-$0.6/m3 | $0.1-$0.5/m3 | $0.05-$0.2/m3 |
| Energy usage | 0.3-2kWh/m3 | 0.5-2kWh/m3 | 3-8kWh/m3 | 0.05-0.2kWh/m3 | 0.1-0.5kWh/m3 |
| Byproduct | Precipitate sludge | 10-30% saline brine | 25-50% saline brine | 10% regenerant brine | Precipitate sludge and unspent lime |
| Replacement cycle | 5-10 years | 3-5 years | 3-5 years | 3-7 years | 10-15 years |
| Permeate quality | Tunable | 40-80% rejection | 90+% rejection | Tunable | Tunable |