What are the Disadvantages of Ion Exchange?
The main disadvantage with sodium cycle ion exchange soften-ing is that the total solids, alkalinity and silica contents of the raw water are not reduce. A problem encountered with cation exchange on the hydrogen cycle is corrrosion from acidity of the effluent. With demineralization the chief difficulties are with cost particularly on high solids raw waters, and the corrosive nature of the effluent water. In general, fouling of the ion exchange material with suspended or colliodal matter in the raw water can produce difficulties and some water impurities cause degradation of the material. In many cases, therefor, ion ex-change processes require paretreatment of the water supply.
