Date of Award
Fall 1993
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Zanoni, A. E.
Second Advisor
Crandall, Clifford
Third Advisor
Jones, Harold V.
Abstract
Ion exchange is the most common process for softening both domestic and industrial waters. The brine backwash from this process can adversely impact septic tank and soil absorption systems. Discharge of this waste flow to sanitary sewer systems may be regulated in the future. The research was conducted using city of Milwaukee tap water. The investigation involved setting up a typical cation exchange home water softener in the laboratory. Preliminary test runs were conducted to test the softening capacity of the exchange resin under typical conditions. The volume and salt content of the brine backwash was measured. The concentration and mass of key cations - calcium, magnesium, and sodium in the brine backwash were estimated at various intervals to evaluate the possible reuse of a portion of the brine solution for recharging the water softener. The reuse of a select portion of the waste brine for recharging the resin resulted in a 20% increase in softening capacity when operating the unit at a typical salt dosage level. The resin was operated at various salt dosages and the composition of the key cations present in the brine backwash was determined. The results clearly demonstrated that operating the softener at low salt dosages generated the least amount of salt in the waste brine. Lowering the salt dosage, while at the same time adjusting some of the design features of the exchange unit, has great promise for reducing the future discharge of waste brine flows.
Recommended Citation
Kalyanasundaram, Shyamala, "Management of Home Softener Brine Recharge Backwash" (1993). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 4895.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/4895