What are the methods of removing the hardness of water?
What are the methods of removing the hardness of water?
Different methods are followed to remove the hardness from water depending on whether it is the temporary hardness or permanent hardness.
Boiling
Temporary hardness is easily removed from water by boiling. When heated, the calcium hydrogen carbonate decomposes producing insoluble calcium carbonate. The insoluble carbonates are then filtered and removed from the water. This makes the hard water soft and fit for use.
Adding washing soda
Washing soda is used to remove the permanent hardness of the water. Adding washing soda converts chlorides and sulphates into insoluble carbonates. These insoluble carbonates are removed by filtration.
Ion – exchange
Another method used to remove the hardness of water is to pass it through a column of ion-exchange resins where calcium and magnesium ions get replaced by sodium ions. This converts hard water into soft water.
Distillation
Temporary and permanent hardness both can be removed by the method of distillation. The water obtained after distillation is called distilled water. It is the purest form of water.
Different methods are followed to remove the hardness from water depending on whether it is the temporary hardness or permanent hardness.
Boiling
Temporary hardness is easily removed from water by boiling. When heated, the calcium hydrogen carbonate decomposes producing insoluble calcium carbonate. The insoluble carbonates are then filtered and removed from the water. This makes the hard water soft and fit for use.
Adding washing soda
Washing soda is used to remove the permanent hardness of the water. Adding washing soda converts chlorides and sulphates into insoluble carbonates. These insoluble carbonates are removed by filtration.
Ion – exchange
Another method used to remove the hardness of water is to pass it through a column of ion-exchange resins where calcium and magnesium ions get replaced by sodium ions. This converts hard water into soft water.
Distillation
Temporary and permanent hardness both can be removed by the method of distillation. The water obtained after distillation is called distilled water. It is the purest form of water.
