UC Irvine

Introduction: Ion exchange is a process where ions on a solid exchange with ions in solution that is in contact with the solid until equilibrium is reached. One common application is water softening, which removes metal ions that can cause build up in pipes. Hard water is also one of the main reasons that heat exchangers and other water cooled equipment lose efficiency over time. Because of this there is a need to remove the metal ions from the water in order to extend the service life of such equipment. Understanding the factors that affect this process can help optimize water softening in the many residential and industrial buildings that utilize it.