US3977968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ion exchange regeneration
Assignee: ChampionX LLC
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Filing: 1975-06-19
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1995-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in closed cycle regeneration of sodium zeolite water softeners using sodium chloride soft brine input which comprises correlating the volume of liquid through the zeolite softener column so that in the effluent the alkaline earth metal content calculated as calcium carbonate has a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm. The sodium chloride soft brine input is selected as 8-12% with optimum 10%.
Inventors
- 👤 Karsten Odland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:46
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J49/00; B01J49/75
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A process for the regeneration of a column of an exhausted sodium zeolite softener which comprises feeding an excess of substantially pure soft sodium chloride brine at a concentration of about 8-12% as input regenerating liquid to said zeolite column and removing from said zeolite column a hard brine containing substantial amounts of alkaline earth metal values, adjusting the total volume of regenerative liquid passing through said zeolite column so that the alkaline earth metal values calculated as CaCO 3 have a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm so as to avoid the formation of a gelatinous product and further precipitating the alkaline earth metals by utilization of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide, removing the calcium and magnesium precipitates formed and adjusting the pH of the so-treated liquid to below 8.0 with HCl to produce a softened brine suitable for recycle as the regenerating liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for the regeneration of a column of an exhausted sodium zeolite softener which comprises feeding an excess of substantially pure soft sodium chloride brine at a concentration of about 8-12% as input regenerating liquid to said zeolite column and removing from said zeolite column a hard brine containing substantial amounts of alkaline earth metal values, adjusting the total volume of regenerative liquid passing through said zeolite column so that the alkaline earth metal values calculated as CaCO 3 have a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm so as to avoid the formation of a gelatinous product and further precipitating the alkaline earth metals by utilization of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide, removing the calcium and magnesium precipitates formed and adjusting the pH of the so-treated liquid to below 8.0 with HCl to produce a softened brine suitable for recycle as the regenerating liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the input sodium chloride brine is about 10% concentration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the sodium zeolite softener is a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the sodium zeolite softener is a sulfonated phenol aldehyde resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
159 words
A process for the regeneration of a column of a partly exhausted sodium zeolite softener which comprises feeding an excess of substantially pure soft sodium chloride brine at a concentration of about 8-12% as input regenerating liquid to said zeolite column and removing from said zeolite column a hard brine containing substantial amounts of alkaline earth metals and adjusting the volume of exhausting liquid previously applied, and the volume of regenerating brine going through the column so that the concentraions of alkaline earth metals in the spent brine effluent, calculated as CaCO 3 , have a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm so as to avoid the formation of a gelatinous product, and further precipitating the alkaline earth metals by utilizing sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide, removing the calcium and magnesium precipitates formed, and adjusting the pH of the so-treated liquid to values below 8.0 with HCl to produce a softened brine suitable for recycle as the regenerating liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
A process for the regeneration of a column of a partly exhausted sodium zeolite softener which comprises feeding an excess of substantially pure soft sodium chloride brine at a concentration of about 8-12% as input regenerating liquid to said zeolite column and removing from said zeolite column a hard brine containing substantial amounts of alkaline earth metals and adjusting the volume of exhausting liquid previously applied, and the volume of regenerating brine going through the column so that the concentraions of alkaline earth metals in the spent brine effluent, calculated as CaCO 3 , have a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm so as to avoid the formation of a gelatinous product, and further precipitating the alkaline earth metals by utilizing sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide, removing the calcium and magnesium precipitates formed, and adjusting the pH of the so-treated liquid to values below 8.0 with HCl to produce a softened brine suitable for recycle as the regenerating liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein the input sodium chloride brine is about 10% concentration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein the sodium zeolite softener is a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein the sodium zeolite softener is a sulfonated phenol aldehyde resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |