How to calculate salt requirements in a water softener plant?

The amount of salt you'll need will be determined by the "hardness" of your water and the amount of water. The average family of four individuals with water of hard nature (7-10 grains per gallon hardness level) will use around 9 to 10 pounds of salt per week, or one 40-pound bag of salt per month, according to industry standards.

After discussing the industry norm for salt usage in a water softener, it's worth noting that the majority of water softening systems may be modified to use more or less salt on a monthly basis.The amount of salt used for each regeneration cycle determines how many gallons of water may be softened before another regeneration cycle is required.

As a result, there is a trade-off:

1) Add more salt to each regeneration cycle and reduce the number of regeneration cycles over time, or...

2) Reduce the amount of salt in each regeneration cycle while gradually increasing the number of regeneration cycles.

A standard calculation for salt usage could be done as follows:

[No. of people in a family x gallons per person in one day x 110 (hardness)] ÷ efficiency of salt exchange.

An example would set the doubts down:

4 x 65 = 260 x 110 = 286, 00 grains in one day. Divided by 2,000 grains removal per pound of salt equals 14.3 pounds per day. 90 days at 7.15 = 1,287 pounds.

In the above example,

4 is the no. of people in a family or no. of persons using a common water to which softener is to be installed,

65 is the amount of water used per person per day in gallons,

110 is the hardness of water in ppm, and

2,000 is the efficiency of salt exchange.

More water necessitates the usage of more salt. Metered and counter-current could cut the amount in half, as the exchange rate is about 4,000 grains per pound of salt.

If counter-current: 4 x 65 = 260 x 110 = 28600 ÷ 4,000 = 71.5 x 90 days = 6435 pounds

This is all based on calculations, not reality. In general, older people consume less water. Manufacturers calculate exchange efficiency, sometimes employing "not-real-world testing" to get better numbers.It's crucial to be able to programme the unit precisely, properly metre the flow, and so on. This demonstrates the importance of specifications, which can make a significant difference in operational expenses.

Salt Usage Increase:

When following situations arise, amount of salt required will differ_

-If your water is particularly harsh (above 10 grains per gallon hardness)

-If the iron content in your water exceeds two parts per million,

-If the size of your family has altered. A larger family drinks more water, causing your softener to regenerate more frequently and utilise more salt as a result.

-If your local water treatment expert has changed the valve settings on your softener such that it regenerates more frequently and consumes more salt.

-If your location is having a drought, your water treatment professional may modify the valve settings on your softener to conserve water while using more salt. (Before making this adjustment, consult your water specialist because it may cause your water to taste saltier after the system regenerates.)

Using the above formulae, just calculate the salt requirement of your softening plant and grab a pack of required amount to feed your softener before it is too late.

The author of the blog is associated with Netsol Water Solutions, which is into manufacturing Effluent Treatment Plant, Sewage Treatment Plant, and Water Treatment Plants.