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 - 77 : (canceled) 
     
     
         78 : An apparatus for treating a water source comprising:
 (a) an inlet into which a water source flows;   (b) an outlet from which a treated water source is discharged; and   (c) a first water treatment reservoir comprising a water treatment composition, configured such that the inlet provides water to the first water treatment reservoir and passes through the water treatment composition forming the treated water source, and the treated water source is discharged through the outlet;   wherein the water treatment composition comprises a substantially insoluble resin material having a bed depth of less than about two feet; and   wherein the substantially insoluble resin material is loaded with a plurality of one or more multivalent cations such that the resin material is exhausted.   
     
     
         79 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the substantially insoluble resin material comprises a weak acid cation exchange resin, a gel type resin structure, a microporous type resin structure, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         80 : The apparatus of  claim 79 , wherein the substantially insoluble resin material is a weak acid cation exchange resin, and wherein the weak acid cation exchange resin is a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer, a crosslinked methacrylic acid polymer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         81 : The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the weak acid cation exchange resin comprises one or more additional copolymers, and wherein the one or more additional copolymers are butadiene, ethylene, propylene, acrylonitrile, styrene, vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride, or a derivative or combination thereof. 
     
     
         82 : The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the acrylic acid polymer is crosslinked with a polyvinyl aromatic, and wherein the polyvinyl aromatic is divinyl benzene, trivinyl benzene, divinyl toluene, divinyl xylene, polyvinyl anthracene, or a derivative or combination thereof. 
     
     
         83 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the substantially insoluble resin material provides a polymer material to the water source, and wherein the polymer material is a polymer having a molecular weight of about 150 to about 100,000. 
     
     
         84 : The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the crosslinked acrylic acid polymer is about 0.5% to about 25% crosslinked. 
     
     
         85 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the multivalent cations comprise a mixture of calcium and magnesium ions. 
     
     
         86 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , further comprising means for agitating the water treatment composition in the treatment reservoir. 
     
     
         87 : The apparatus of  claim 86 , wherein the composition is agitated by means comprising flowing water through the water treatment reservoir, fluidization, mechanical agitation, air sparge, eductor flow, baffles, flow obstructers, static mixers, high flow backwash, recirculation, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         88 : The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the bed depth of the composition in the treatment reservoir is less than 1.5 feet. 
     
     
         89 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the water source is provided to the treatment reservoir at a flow rate of about 5 feet per minute to about 200 feet per minute. 
     
     
         90 : The apparatus of  claim 89 , wherein the water source is provided to the water treatment reservoir at a flow rate of about 50 feet per minute to about 200 feet per minute. 
     
     
         91 : The apparatus of  claim 89 , wherein the flow rate does not permit diffusion of ions to the surface of the resin from the water. 
     
     
         92 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the apparatus does not conduct significant ion exchange. 
     
     
         93 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the treated water source comprises between about 2 ppm to about 65 ppm total organic carbon. 
     
     
         94 : The apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein the water treatment composition deposits the total organic carbon in the treated water source. 
     
     
         95 : The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the treatment reservoir further comprises an oxidant, and wherein the oxidant is chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         96 : The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one additional water treatment reservoir, and wherein the at least one additional treatment reservoir is provided in series with the first reservoir, in parallel with the first reservoir, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         97 : The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the apparatus is located in an automatic washing system, upstream from a water treatment device comprising a reverse osmosis water treatment device, a heat exchange water treatment device, or a carbon filter; or wherein the apparatus provides treated water to a device including a coffee machine, an espresso machine, an ice machine, a steam table, a booster heater, a grocery mister, or a humidifier.