Veepehmendamine

Veepehmendamine, also known as water softening, is a process that removes dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, from water. These minerals are often referred to as "hardness" ions. Hard water can cause numerous problems, including the formation of scale in pipes and appliances, reduced effectiveness of soaps and detergents, and dullness of fabrics.

The most common method for veepehmendamine in households is ion exchange. This process utilizes a resin bed typically made of polystyrene beads coated with sodium ions. As hard water passes through the resin, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water are attracted to the resin and displace the sodium ions, which are then released into the water. Essentially, the hardness ions are exchanged for sodium ions.

Over time, the resin becomes saturated with hardness ions and needs to be regenerated. This is achieved by flushing the resin bed with a concentrated brine solution (saltwater). The high concentration of sodium ions in the brine forces the calcium and magnesium ions off the resin, replenishing the sodium ions and allowing the softening process to continue. The removed hardness ions are then flushed away with the brine.

Other methods of veepehmendamine exist, though they are less common for residential use. These include reverse osmosis, distillation, and chemical precipitation. Reverse osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane to filter out minerals, while distillation involves heating water to create steam and then condensing it back into liquid, leaving minerals behind. Chemical precipitation involves adding chemicals that cause the hardness minerals to precipitate out of the water. The choice of method often depends on the desired water purity, scale of operation, and cost.