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Definition:
Water hardness is a measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium
salts in water. Calcium and magnesium enter water mainly through the
weathering of rocks. The more calcium and magnesium in water, the harder
the water. Water hardness is usually expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/l)
of dissolved calcium and magnesium carbonate.
Source: GreenFacts
More:
The term "hardness" comes from the fact that it is hard to get soapsuds
from soap or detergents in hard water. This happens because calcium and
magnesium react strongly with negatively-charged chemicals like soap to
form insoluble compounds. As a result, hard water can reduce the
effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Definisi lain:
'Hard water or "Hardix" is water that has high mineral content (mainly
calcium and magnesium ions) (in contrast with soft water).
Hard water is water that has high mineral content (in contrast with
soft water). Hard water minerals primarily consist of calcium (Ca2+),
and magnesium (Mg2+) metal cations, and sometimes other dissolved
compounds such as bicarbonates and sulfates. Calcium usually
enters the water as either calcium carbonate (CaCO3), in the form of
limestone and chalk, or calcium sulfate (CaSO4), in the form of other
mineral deposits. The predominant source of magnesium is dolomite
(CaMg(CO3)2). Hard water is generally not harmful to one's health.
Definisi lain:
Temporary hardness
Temporary hardness is caused by a combination of calcium ions and
bicarbonate ions in the water. It can be removed by boiling the water
or by the addition of lime (calcium hydroxide). Boiling promotes the
formation of carbonate from the bicarbonate and precipitates
calcium carbonate out of solution, leaving water that is softer upon
cooling.
The following is the equilibrium reaction when calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) is dissolved in water:
Permanent hardness
Permanent hardness is hardness (mineral content) that cannot be
removed by boiling. It is usually caused by the presence in the water
of calcium and magnesium sulfates and/or chlorides which become
more soluble as the temperature rises. Despite the name, permanent
hardness can be removed using a water softener or ion exchange
column, where the calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged with
the sodium ions in the column.
Hard water causes scaling, which is the left-over mineral deposits
that are formed after the hard water had evaporated. This is also
known as limescale. The scale can clog pipes, ruin water heaters,
coat the insides of tea and coffee pots, and decrease the life of toilet
flushing units.
Similarly, insoluble salt residues that remain in hair after shampooing
with hard water tend to leave hair rougher and harder to untangle. [1]
In industrial settings, water hardness must be constantly monitored
to avoid costly breakdowns in boilers, cooling towers, and other
equipment that comes in contact with water. Hardness is controlled
by the addition of chemicals and by large-scale softening with zeolite
(Na2Al2Si2O8.xH2O) and ion exchange resins.
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Measurement
Because it is the precise mixture of minerals dissolved in the water,
together with the water's pH and temperature, that determines the
behavior of the hardness, a single-number scale does not adequately
describe hardness. Descriptions of hardness correspond roughly with
ranges of mineral concentrations:
1. Very soft : 0-70 ppm, 0-4 dGH
2. Soft : 70-140 ppm, 4-8 dGH
3. Slightly hard : 140-210 ppm, 8-12 dGH
4. Moderately hard: 210-320 ppm, 12-18 dGH
5. Hard : 320-530 ppm, 18-30 dGH
6. Very hard : >530 ppm, >30 dGH
[edit]
Effects on skin
Some confusion may arise after a first experience with soft water.
Hard water does not lather well with soap and leaves a "clean"
feeling. Soft water lathers better than hard water but leaves a
"slippery feeling" on the skin after use with soap. Some providers of
water softening equipment[14][15] claim that the "slippery feeling"
after showering in soft water is due to "clean skin" and the absence
of 'friction-causing' soap scum.