The CATIONS and ANIONS sections each have two input columns. Enter the concentration of the various ions, either as themselves (as the ION) using milligrams per liter (mg/L), which is the same as parts per million, (ppm) or as their calcium carbonate (as CaCO3) equivalent. Conversion factors are provided so that you can easily convert from the "as the ION" to "as CaCO3".

TOTAL CATIONS as CaCO3 should equal TOTAL ANIONS as CaCO3. It is not necessary to fill in all of the items. Any items that are left blank will be assumed to be zero. Enter a question mark for any substance that is present but concentration is unknown.

The third section of the INFLUENT WATER CHEMISTRY includes CARBON DIOXIDE and SILICA, which both exist as un-ionized acids. The CONDUCTIVITY should be entered as micromhos (mmho), which is the same as µ/cm. Generally, the total CATION or ANION content as CaCO3 is equivalent to the conductivity in micromhos divided by 2.5. Enter the untreated inlet water TEMPERATURE and circle degrees F, (°F) or degrees C (°C).

EFFLUENT REQUIREMENTS

The CONDUCTIVITY, TDS, SODIUM and SILICA should all be entered as the ION. Provide both the AVERAGE and the MAXIMUM allowable values. The MAXIMUM allowable value effects the operating capacity. It tells us when the resin bed has to be taken out of service and how much capacity needs to be sacrificed during the post-regenerant rinse. If no value is entered, a default value will be used.

REGENERATION INFORMATION is broken into two areas. CATION REGENERANT and ANION REGENERANT. SODIUM CHLORIDE and POTASSIUM CHLORIDE are alternate selections for SOFTENERS. HYDROCHLORIC ACID and SULFURIC ACID are alternate selections for 2 BED or MIXED BED DEIONIZERS and CATION DEALKALIZERS. COCURRENT or COUNTER CURRENT regeneration direction should be selected, or select LOOK AT BOTH and ratings for each will be provided.

Under ANION REGENERANT, SODIUM CHLORIDE or SODIUM CHLORIDE/NaOH can be selected for regenerating DEALKALIZERS or ORGANIC REMOVAL systems. SODIUM CHLORIDE is the only regenerant available for the NITRATE REMOVAL systems.

SODIUM HYDROXIDE is used for 2 BED and MIXED BED DEIONIZERS and DESILICIZERS. In these applications, the TEMPERATURE OF THE CAUSTIC has an impact on silica leakage and can be selected as either UNHEATED, 95 or 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The regeneration process can be COCURRENT or COUNTERCURRENT. If a projection for both methods is desired, select LOOK AT BOTH.

BED DEPTH - Please note that the default BED DEPTH values are different for COUNTERCURRENT and COCURRENT applications. Higher BED DEPTHS offer greater economy, and therefore are sometimes specified as part of the design criteria.

DESIGN FACTOR - This is the engineering safety factor. Values of 65 to 90% are typically used. The DESIGN FACTOR accounts for distribution losses, less than perfect resin utilization due to system geometry, seasonal changes in water chemistry and temperature, etc. Put in any number from zero to 100%. If no value is inputted, the system will use 100% as the default value. The design factor used is displayed in the projection reports.