Core-softened water-alcohol mixtures: the solute-size effects

Water is the most anomalous material on Earth, with a long list of thermodynamic, dynamic and structural behaviors that deviate from what is expected. Recent studies indicate that the anomalies...

Selective insulation of water flows in a well based on the use of production waste

A method for isolating water inflows into the well by blocking high permeability zones with a gel-forming composition based on sodium silicate, including biologically active additives has been developed. Whey is used as a biologically active supplement. As a result of isolation of the watering intervals by the gel-forming composition, low-permeability oil-saturated areas are involved in the development. The gelation process can be adjusted depending on the concentrations of sodium silicate and whey, as well as the temperature at a certain depth of the reservoir, necessary for isolation. In order to prevent a premature coagulation process when the formation is saturated with hard formation water, fresh or softened water is pumped in front of the gel-forming composition. This technology is used to reach the residual resistance factor to the value 3.88, an increase in oil production will be 18.5%.

The pursuit of good microbiological conditions in domestic softeners: a new improvement

Effective resin disinfection is mandatory to ensure the microbiological quality of water treated by domestic softeners. The wet and sometimes warm environment inside the softener is ideal for bacteria growth. Our research was focused on the evaluation of the microbial quality of water from softeners sanitized by chlorine solutions or by electrolytic systems. We employed the heterotrophic plate count and specific tests to monitor the presence of opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, enterococci, and coliforms). Completely new devices were equipped with a commercially available electrolytic system or with a newly patented one or sanitized by automatic or manual addition of chlorine solutions. In all cases, the contamination was reduced, not completely avoided. In particular, the patented electrolytic system significantly reduced bacterial proliferation in strongly contaminated devices. Our data confirm the difficulties encountered to solve the problem of microbiological quality of softened water and offer encouraging information on new possible solutions. This article has been made Open Access thanks to the generous support of a global network of libraries as part of the Knowledge Unlatched Select initiative.

Protocol for an outcome assessor-blinded pilot randomised controlled trial of an ion-exchange water softener for the prevention of atopic eczema in neonates, with an embedded mechanistic study: the Softened Water for Eczema Prevention (SOFTER) trial

IntroductionAtopic eczema affects 20% of UK children, and environmental factors are important in its aetiology. Several observational studies suggest an increased risk of atopic eczema in children living in hard water areas. The Softened Water for Eczema Prevention pilot trial tests the feasibility of installing domestic ion-exchange water softeners around the time of birth to reduce the risk of atopic eczema in children with a family history of atopy. A further aim is to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms for this in an embedded mechanistic study.Methods and analysisMulticentre parallel group assessor-blinded randomised controlled pilot trial. Participants are newborn babies (n=80) living in a hard water (>250 mg/L calcium carbonate) area at risk of developing atopic eczema because of a family history of atopy. Participants will be randomised prior to birth in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will have an ion-exchange water softener installed prior to birth. The control group will receive their usual domestic hard water supply. Follow-up will be until 6 months of age. Data will be collected at birth (baseline), 1, 3 and 6 months of age. The main outcome is the proportion of eligible families screened who are willing and able to be randomised. Several secondary feasibility and clinical endpoints will also be evaluated, alongside mechanistic outcomes. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. There will be no hypothesis testing for the clinical outcomes. Study acceptability will be evaluated through semistructured interviews.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been reviewed and given a favourable opinion by the North West–Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 17/NW/0661). The results of the study will be reported at international conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We will send participating families a summary of the pilot trial results.Trial registration numberNCT03270566.

Water softeners add comfort and consume water – comparison of selected centralised and decentralised softening technologies

Selected technologies for centralised or decentralised drinking water softening were evaluated based on technical, economic, environmental and aesthetic indicators to identify the optimal treatment technology for a given setting. To achieve this, we demonstrated that a number of important indicators beyond hardness reduction and costs have to be included. All the evaluated centralised softening technologies could reduce water hardness to the target of 1.3 mmol/L at the Dutch drinking water treatment plant Beilen. CARIX® treatment and pellet softening with Ca(OH)2 resulted in a lower CCPP90 (0.25–0.30 mmol/L) than nanofiltration (0.30–0.35 mmol/L). Decentralised reverse osmosis had a water consumption of >100%, whereas decentralised cation exchange had a water consumption of 2.5–4.5% which was comparable to centralised pellet softening (3.6%). Except for the electronic water conditioner that does not remove water hardness, the decentralised technologies were 7–10 times more expensive than the centralised technologies per m3 of softened water. The centralised softening technologies furthermore ensured supply of softened water to all customers in a water supply zone. Thus, in areas with hard water and limescale problems, investment in centralised softening at the local water utility is more optimal than widespread implementation of decentralised systems.

Waste from Water Softening Stations for Treatment Wastewater Containing Dyes

In the general balance of water consumption, a considerable part falls on softened water. The processes of obtaining softened water form a significant amount of liquid waste containing calcium and magnesium salts. We show the possibility of using wastewater from water softening installations for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes. The obtained results demonstrate high efficiency of wastewater treatment in textile factories. An additional advantage of the use of sewage water softening plants is the economy of reagents for the removal of dyes.