Methods and apparatus for controlling water hardness

Abstract

The present invention is related to methods, apparatuses, and compositions for controlling water hardness. The methods, apparatuses and compositions also reduce scale formation. The present invention includes substantially water insoluble resin materials. The resin materials may be loaded with a plurality of cations.

1 : A method for treating water comprising:
 contacting a water source with a water treatment composition comprising a substantially water insoluble resin material loaded with a plurality of one or more multivalent cations, such that the water is treated, wherein the substantially water insoluble resin is exhausted so that it is unable to perform ion exchange.   
     
     
         2 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resin material comprises a weak acid cation resin. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multivalent cations comprise a mixture of calcium and magnesium ions. 
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition does not precipitate water hardness ions out of the source of water when contacted with the water. 
     
     
         6 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of contacting comprises passing the water through a treatment reservoir containing the composition. 
     
     
         7 : The method of  claim 1 , further comprising agitating the composition during the contacting step, heating the water source prior to the contacting step, and/or increasing the pH of the water source prior to the contacting step. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treated water reduces scale formation on a surface contacted by the treated water. 
     
     
         12 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resin material is selected from the group consisting of a gel type resin structure, a macroporous type resin structure, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weak acid cation resin is selected from the consisting of a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer, a crosslinked methacrylic acid polymer, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 : A method for reducing scale formation in an aqueous system comprising:
 contacting the aqueous system with a composition comprising a substantially water insoluble weak acid cation resin material loaded with a plurality of multivalent cations, such that scale formation in the aqueous system is reduced; wherein the substantially water insoluble weak acid cation resin is exhausted so that it is unable to perform ion exchange.   
     
     
         21 : The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of contacting comprises passing the water through a treatment reservoir containing the composition. 
     
     
         22 : The method of  claim 20 , further comprising agitating the composition during the contacting step, heating the water source prior to the contacting step, and/or increasing the pH of the water source prior to the contacting step. 
     
     
         23 : The method of  claim 20 , wherein the weak acid cation resin material is selected from the group consisting of a gel type resin structure, a macroporous type resin structure, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 : The method of  claim 20 , wherein the weak acid cation resin is selected from the consisting of a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer, a crosslinked methacrylic acid polymer, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         25 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein resin polymers have additional copolymers added selected from the group consisting of butadiene, ethylene, propylene, acrylonitrile, styrene, vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride, and derivatives and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         26 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein the acrylic acid polymer is crosslinked with a polyvinyl aromatic composition selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl aromatics such as divinyl benzene, trivinyl benzene, divinyl toluene, divinyl xylene, polyvinyl anthracene, and derivatives and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         27 : A method for treating water comprising:
 contacting a water source with a water treatment composition such that the water is treated;
 wherein the water treatment composition consisting essentially of a substantially water insoluble weak acid cation resin material; 
 wherein the substantially water insoluble weak acid cation exchange resin is loaded with a plurality of one or more multivalent cations, 
 wherein the substantially water insoluble weak acid cation exchange resin is exhausted so that it is unable to perform ion exchange, 
 wherein the substantially water insoluble weak acid cation exchange resin is selected from the group consisting of a gel type resin structure, a macroporous type resin structure, and combinations thereof, and 
 wherein the substantially water insoluble weak acid cation exchange resin comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer, a crosslinked methacrylic acid polymer, and mixtures thereof. 
   
     
     
         28 : The method of  claim 27 , further comprising agitating the composition during the contacting step, heating the water source prior to the contacting step, and/or increasing the pH of the water source prior to the contacting step. 
     
     
         29 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the acrylic acid polymer is crosslinked with a polyvinyl aromatic composition selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl aromatics such as divinyl benzene, trivinyl benzene, divinyl toluene, divinyl xylem, polyvinyl anthracene, and derivatives and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         30 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the step of contacting comprises passing the water through a treatment reservoir containing the water treatment composition.