Methods and apparatus for controlling water hardness

Abstract

The present invention is related to methods, apparatuses, and compositions for controlling water hardness. The methods, apparatuses and compositions also reduce scale formation. The present invention includes substantially water insoluble resin materials. The resin materials may be loaded with a plurality of cations.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority and is related to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 261,610 filed on Nov. 16, 2009 and entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Controlling Water Hardness.” The entire contents of this patent application are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference including, without limitation, the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, or drawings thereof.[0002]This application also claims priority and is related to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 171,145 filed on Apr. 21, 2009 and entitled “Catalytic Water Treatment Method and Apparatus.” The entire contents of this patent application are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference including, without limitation, the specification, claims, and abstract, as well as any figures, tables, or drawings thereof.[0003]This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number 2580USU1), entitled “Catal...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In still yet other aspects, the present invention relates to methods for reducing scale formation in an aqueous system comprising contacting the aqueous system with a composition consisting essentially of a substantially water insoluble resin material loaded with a plurality of multivalent cations, such that scale formation in the aqueous system is reduced.

Problems solved by technology

Hard water is known to reduce the efficacy of detergents, by forming films on surfaces, and reacting with detergent components making them less functional in the cleaning process.

Calcium is a divalent ion known to bind soils to surfaces, creating a film, and a making the soil more difficult to remove.

However, in many instances the water hardness exceeds the chelating capacity of the composition.

As a result, free calcium ions may be available to attack active components of the composition, to cause corrosion or precipitation, or to cause other deleterious effects, such as poor cleaning effectiveness or lime scale build up.

Further, chelators and sequestrants (e.g., phosphates and NTA) have been found to cause environmental or health issues.

When water softeners regenerate they produce a waste stream that contains significant amounts of chloride, including calcium and magnesium salts, creating a burden on the system, e.g., sewer system, in which they are disposed of, including a multitude of downstream water re-use applications like potable water usages and agriculture.

Further, traditional water softeners add to the salt content in discharge surface waters, which has become an environmental issue in certain locations.

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