Water softener: Pharmaceutical Purified Water System components

A Component of Pharmaceutical Purified Water system for manufacturing of Drug substance and drug products.

Pharmaceutical Water

Some FAQ’s are tried to answered under this Article like;

❓ What is water softening?

❓ Why Water softening is required?

❓ What principle works behind water softener?

❓ What is used as Ion exchanger in water softener?

❓ What are the components of water softener?

What is water softening?

Water softening is a process of Ion exchange in which the ions of Calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) and sometimes iron are removed. Calcium and magnesium are often referred to as ‘hardness minerals’.

Why Water softening is required?

Hard water has high concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions. These ions make it difficult for products with other positively charged ions to dissolve in the water. Hard water is known to clog pipes so in this regard also it is required to soften. Water softening can prevent these negative effects. Water softeners are being used for this purpose.

What principle works behind water softener?

A water softener is a unit that is used to soften water, by
removing the minerals that cause the water to be hard. Softener is working by
using the principle of ion exchange, water softeners are specific ion
exchangers that are designed to remove ions, which are positively charged, Calcium
and magnesium ion replaced by sodium ions. 

What is used as Ion
exchanger in water softener?

For the execution of Ion-exchange sodium and potassium salts (NaCl and
KCl) are being used as exchanger ions in reservoir.

What are the components of
water softener?

A softener is
comprised of different components, each having their own unique purpose.

Pharmaceutical Water: Softener

🅐  The heart of the softener is the mineral tank which is a
pressure vessel usually constructed out of fiberglass. These tanks are
filled with negatively charged ion exchange resin.

🅑 The brain of the softener lie in the control valve or
softener head as it is commonly referred to. Most popular water softeners have
an automatic regenerating system.

🅒 The third main component of a softener is the brine tank. The
brine tank is basically a storage tank for sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium
chloride (KCL) which is mixed with water during the brine refill and
regeneration cycles. 

This brine (a concentrated solution of salt water) is
drawn back into the mineral tank during the regeneration phase to replenish the
softener bed. The salt or potassium chloride is a sacrificial media and must be
replenished on a regular basis to ensure adequate softening form the device.

A good water softener will
last many years, Water softener collects hardness minerals within its
conditioning tank and from time to time flushes them away to drain. Regeneration
activity shall require for proper working of water softener column or
cartridge.