Blended salt composition and method of using
Novel water softening compositions and methods of treating hard water are provided. The compositions comprise a blend of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The compositions are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions.
1. A method of treating water, comprising contacting an ion exchange material with an aqueous solution comprising a binder and a blend of sodium chloride and potassium chloride to yield a regenerated ion exchange material; wherein:
the weight ratio of sodium chloride to potassium chloride in said blend is from about 10:90 to about 90:10;
said blend comprises from about 25% to about 75% by weight sodium chloride and from about 25% to about 75% by weight potassium chloride, based upon the total weight of the blend taken as 100% by weight; and
said binder is selected from the group comprising sorbitol, alkali metal phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 , said aqueous solution comprising from about 25% to about 75% by weight of said blend, based upon the total weight of the solution taken as 100% by weight.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said blend further comprises a chelating agent.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting said regenerated ion exchange material with hard water so as to yield softened water.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said softened water comprises sodium and potassium ions.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said sodium and potassium ions are present at a ratio of from about 10:90 to about 90:10.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sodium chloride has a hardness of from about 10 psig to about 25 psig.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said potassium chloride has a hardness of from about 10 psig to about 25 psig.
9. A water softening blend comprising sodium chloride and potassium chloride and a binder, said blend being in the form of pieces having a maximum surface-to-surface dimension of less than about 4 inches and a minimum surface-to-surface dimension of at least about 0.25 inches; wherein:
the weight ratio of sodium chloride to potassium chloride in said blend is from about 10:90 to about 90:10;
said blend comprises from about 25% to about 75% by weight sodium chloride and from about 25% to about 75% by weight potassium chloride, based upon the total weight of the blend taken as 100% by weight; and
said binder is selected from the group comprising sorbitol, alkali metal phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
10. The blend of claim 9 , wherein said blend comprises discrete pieces of sodium chloride and discrete pieces of potassium chloride.
11. The blend of claim 9 , wherein said pieces comprise sodium chloride compacted with potassium chloride.
12. The blend of claim 9 , said blend further comprising a chelating agent.
13. The blend of claim 12 , wherein said chelating agent is an aliphatic acid.
14. The blend of claim 9 , wherein said blend has a moisture content of from about 0.01% to about 0.3% by weight, based upon the total weight of the blend taken as 100% by weight.