Question

What is formula for permutit or zeolite which is used as softer in ion-exchange method?

Answer 1

Ion exchange method

• One or more unwanted ionic pollutants are eliminated from water by being exchanged with a less disagreeable or non-objectionable ionic substance using the ion exchange method.
• Ion exchangers can be made of clay, zeolites, montmorillonite, ion exchange resins, zeolite, or even soil humus.

Zeolite

• It is well known that non-porous minerals make up zeolite.
• The term "permutit" refers to artificial or man-made zeolites.
• Ion exchange is a function of these minerals.
• This is due to the salt and aluminum in zeolite, which naturally softens the water.
• The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are what cause it to be hard.
• Ion exchange occurs in the compound when water flows through the permutit.
• The formula of zeolite is ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{Si}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8.\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$
• This implies that sodium and aluminum included in the permutit replace the calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water.
• The reaction is as follows:

${\underset{\left(\mathrm{Permutit}\mathrm{zeolite}\right)}{{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{Si}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8.\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+\mathrm{Ca}}}^{2+}/{\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}\to \underset{\left(\mathrm{Exhausted}\mathrm{Permutit}\right)}{\mathrm{Ca}{\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{Si}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_8.\mathrm{x}{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{+\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$