How North Star Water Softeners Work

A water softener uses a treatment method known as ion exchange to soften water. The exchange material (cation resin) has a negative charge. The hardness ions (calcium, magnesium, etc.) which are dissolved in the water, have a positive charge. As the water flows over and through the resin, the hardness ions are drawn to the resin.

At the same time, sodium ions (which have a less positive charge) are knocked off the resin into the water.This exchange process occurs billions of times during the softening process. As the exchange takes place, a hardness band forms in the resin bed. The band expands in the same direction as the service flow. Eventually, hardness blankets the resin to a point where it is not capable of exchanging. The resin is considered "exhausted" and any water passing over the resin remains hard.

Regeneration must occur to revive the resin. A brine solution is introduced into the mineral tank. Brine solution can be either sodium or potassium salt dissolved with water. The brine solution is rich in sodium or potassium ions and will exchange off the hardness ions. The hardness ions and unused brine solution is rinsed down the drain. The resin is backwashed and rinsed to complete the regeneration process.

• Brine Valve Assembly - Consists of Brine Tube, Air Check Float Assembly and Safety Shutoff.
• Brine Well - Container for the Brine Valve Assembly.
• Resin Tank - Holds resin media.
• Resin - Ion exchange media
• Nozzle/Venturi Assembly - Consists of Screen, Venturi, Gasket and Fill Flow Plug.
• Main Valve - Consists of the Timer, Motor, Cam and Gear, Microswitch, Rotor and Disc, Metering Assembly (demand units only).
• Top Distributor - Disperses even water flow during service and regeneration, inhibits resin from escaping to the inlet side of valve during backwash and filters service water.
• Riser Pipe - Transports water from bottom distributor to valve.
• Bottom Distributor - Disperses backwash flow and inhibits resin from escaping to the outlet of valve.
• Salt - Regenerant for resin usually sodium or potassium chloride.

1. The valve controls the water flow into and out of the water softener. As untreated water flows through the resin tank the resin beads remove the hardness minerals from the water through a process called ion exchange. Softened conditioned water then flows from the softener into your home.
2. As the resin tank’s capacity is used, regeneration, or cleaning, is required. Regeneration is initiated by the electronic controller.
3. During regeneration, water is introduced into the salt storage tank to make a brine solution. This solution is then drawn into the resin tank, removing the hardness minerals from the resin. The resin is then backwashed and given a final rinse, restoring the softener to its full capacity.

When The softener Is Providing Soft Water, It Is Called "Service"

After a period of time, the resin beads hold all of the hardness minerals they can and cleaning is needed to remove them. This cleaning is called regeneration, or recharge.

The demand timer automatically determines when regenerations occur. Regeneration is started at 2:00 a.m. (factory setting) by the softener timer, and consists of five stages or cycles. These are: FILL, BRINING, BRINE RINSE, BACKWASH, and FAST RINSE.

Water Flow Through A Softener: The Stages of Regeneration

The Fill Cycle

Salt, dissolved in water, is called brine. Brine is needed to clean the hardness minerals from the resin beads. To make the brine, water flows into the salt storage area during the fill stage.

The Brining Cycle

During brining, brine travels from the salt storage area, into the resin tank. Brine is the cleaning agent needed to remove the hardness minerals from the resin beads. The hardness minerals, and brine are discharged to the drain.

The nozzle and venturi create a suction to move the brine, maintaining a very slow rate to get the best resin cleaning with the least salt.

The Brine Rinse

After a pre-measured amount of brine is used, the brine valve closes. Water continues to flow in the same path as during brining, except for the discontinued brine flow. Hardness minerals and brine flush from the resin tank, to the drain.

The Backwash Cycle
During backwash, water travels up through the resin tank at a fast flow rate, flushing accumulated iron, dirt, and sediments from the resin bed and to the drain.

The Fast Rinse Cycle
Backwash is followed by a fast flow of water down through the resin tank. The fast flow flushes brine from the bottom of the tank, and packs the resin bed.

After fast rinse, the softener returns to soft water service.

Automatic Hard Water Bypass During Regeneration

For emergency needs, hard water is available to the home during the regeneration cycles. However, you should avoid using HOT water because the water heater will refill with the hard water.