General Knowledge - Water Scale Decoded

2021.10.23

The most common filter to filter and remove scale to achieve soft water uses ion exchange resin.

“Ion exchange "refers to: when the water flows through the filter, the resin within the material and the minerals in the water produce billions of exchanges; the ion-exchange resins are used to replace the magnesium and calcium ions found in hard water with sodium ions. When the resin is fresh, it contains sodium ions. When in contact with a solution containing magnesium and calcium ions (but a low concentration of sodium ions), the magnesium and calcium ions preferentially migrate out of solution to the active sites on the resin, and are replaced in by sodium ions. This process reaches equilibrium with a much lower concentration of magnesium and calcium ions in the solution than it started with. Its chemical formula is as follows:

(There’s no need to memorise, the teacher will not test you)

Ca2++2Na-R→Ca-R2+2Na+1
Mg2++2Na-R→Mg-R2+2Na+1

Strictly speaking, this type of water softener made of ionomer as a filter element should not be called "water purification equipment" because it does not remove contaminants from water. What it does is: reduces scale, removes calcium and magnesium ions from the water. However, other pollutants in the water, such as organic pollutants, microorganisms, and suspended particles cannot be filtered. So the ion resin can only be used in the front of the water purifier. It cannot be used alone to ensure the purity of water.

In general, the life of the ionic resin is limited to about 2-3 months, (depending on the water quality conditions) before failure. Several filter kettle filters have added ion resin to remove scale, but the volumes are too small, and they usually have a shorter lifespan, so we are not very optimistic about the effectiveness of the unit’s ability to remove scale.

Ion resin filter shortcomings. In addition to a short life and a slightly higher unit price, the other shortcoming is in the ion exchange process where sodium ions are released and which, for kidney patients, there is a health risk. A no sodium ion resin can also be chosen but water filtered in this way releases hydrogen ions and makes the water quality acidic, so the choice is the customers.

In addition to inhibiting scale with ion resin the use of RO water purification equipment can also a good choice. The reason is that the water molecules passing through the membrane holes are only the diameter of a hair, one thousandth of the RO membrane, and will filter out heavy metal ions, organic toxins and bacteria; but the shortcomings of water obtained from reverse osmosis treatment, is that there is a discharge of waste, which is, generally, a waste of water resources.

No matter what kind of filter water purification method used there is no 100% perfect solution. The important fact is for consumers to understand their needs and preferences, and to choose a product with a good reputation, of excellent quality and which provides the protection required of a water purifier. ALYA water purification has won the Ministry of Economic Affairs Little Giant Award, because our “made in Taiwan” water purification products have obtained excellent export results, in order for us to obtain this honor, worthy of national trust.