Vízkeményítés

Vízkeményítés, often translated as water softening, is a process used to reduce the concentration of dissolved minerals in water, primarily calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals are naturally present in groundwater and are responsible for the "hardness" of water. Hard water can cause a variety of problems, including limescale buildup in pipes, appliances, and fixtures, which reduces efficiency and lifespan. It also affects soap lathering, requiring more detergent for cleaning, and can leave residue on skin and hair.

The most common method of water softening is ion exchange. This process involves passing hard water through a tank filled with resin beads that are coated with sodium ions. As the water flows through the resin, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water are attracted to the resin and are exchanged for the sodium ions. Eventually, the resin becomes saturated with hardness minerals and needs to be regenerated. Regeneration is typically achieved by flushing the resin with a brine solution (concentrated salt water), which displaces the calcium and magnesium ions and replenishes the resin with sodium ions. The displaced hardness minerals are then flushed away.

Other methods of water treatment exist to address hardness, though they are less common for residential use. These include reverse osmosis, distillation, and the addition of chemical agents like polyphosphates. While these methods can also reduce mineral content, ion exchange remains the most widely adopted and cost-effective solution for domestic water softening. The choice of method often depends on the specific water quality issues and the desired level of purity.