Water softener process for pump action movement of fluid in closed circuit used as ion transport medium

摘要

In a process to operate an electrode de-ionization water softener assembly (1), ions from a permeate are removed from a chamber of dilute fluid and transported by an electric field to a chamber holding concentrated fluid. The ions are then removed by a medium flowing through the concentrate chamber. The concentrate moves especially within an internal closed circuit and following discharge from the concentrate chamber is employed as a transport medium and is returned to the concentrate chamber inlet by pump action. Also claimed is an electrode de-ionization assembly with an internal closed-circuit flow arrangement. The transport medium is especially not fully returned to the overall system. The arrangement has one or more concentrate chambers in which the discharge from the chamber outlet is returned to the chamber inlet. The electro-conductivity of the concentrate is monitored and adjusted to below a pre-determined threshold prior to its return to the concentrate chamber. Adjustment is effected by the admixture of permeate having a lower conductivity. A constant pressure drop is maintained between the dilute and concentrate chambers. The water softener assembly combines reverse osmosis with electrode de-ionization. Permeate from the reverse osmosis is discharged to the electrode de-ionization unit.