Understanding Water Treatment Processes

What are the primary sources of water used in treatment?

• Desalinated seawater

• Surface water, groundwater, recycled wastewater

• Rainwater harvesting

• Bottled spring water

Define hard water and soft water. How do they differ?

• Soft water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, while hard water has low levels.

• Hard water is always safe to drink, while soft water is not.

• Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, while soft water has low levels of these minerals.

• Hard water is characterized by a high sodium content, while soft water has low sodium.

What is the EDTA method used for in estimating water hardness?

• To analyze the presence of chlorine in water

• To measure the pH level of water

• The EDTA method is used to estimate the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in water, which determines water hardness.

• To determine the temperature of the water

What are the common problems associated with boiler feed water?

• Low water pressure

• Common problems associated with boiler feed water include scaling, corrosion, and contamination.

• Improper fuel type

• Excessive heat loss

Explain the terms scale and sludge in the context of boiler problems.

• Scale is mineral buildup on heat transfer surfaces; sludge is a mixture of impurities in boiler water.

• Scale is the process of heating water; sludge is the cooling of steam.

• Scale refers to the pressure in the boiler; sludge is the temperature of the water.

• Scale is a type of fuel used in boilers; sludge is a type of steam.

What is caustic embrittlement and how does it affect boilers?

• It is a process that strengthens boiler metal through chemical reactions.

• Caustic embrittlement is a type of corrosion caused by high temperatures.

• Caustic embrittlement refers to the accumulation of calcium carbonate in boilers.

• Caustic embrittlement is a phenomenon that weakens boiler metal due to sodium hydroxide accumulation, leading to potential failures.

Describe the internal treatment methods for boiler water conditioning.

• Chemical feed pumps

• Water softeners

• Reverse osmosis systems

• Internal treatment methods include oxygen scavengers, scale inhibitors, pH adjusters, polymeric dispersants, and biocides.

What is the role of zeolite in external water treatment?

• Zeolite filters water by physical straining only.

• Zeolite increases the water temperature during treatment.

• Zeolite removes contaminants from water through ion exchange.

• Zeolite adds nutrients to water for plant growth.

How does the reverse osmosis process work in desalination?

• Reverse osmosis involves boiling seawater to create steam.

• Reverse osmosis relies on heat to evaporate seawater.

• Reverse osmosis uses pressure to push seawater through a membrane, separating freshwater from salts.

• Reverse osmosis uses gravity to filter out impurities.

What is electro dialysis and how is it used in water treatment?

• Electrodialysis is a method for purifying air by removing pollutants.

• Electrodialysis is a water treatment process that uses an electric field to remove ions from water, primarily for desalination.

• Electrodialysis is a chemical process that adds minerals to water.

• Electrodialysis is a filtration technique that uses membranes to separate solids from liquids.