Glossary
Ion Exchange – Operation technologies

Adoucissement; Softening

This is the removal of hardness ions (mainly calcium and magnesium).

Ion exchange capacity

Measured in equivalents per liter of exchanger, capacity (total or useful) indicates the quantity of ions an exchanger can fix.

Charge ionique; Ionic load

Measured in equivalents, this is the quantity of ions fixed by the exchanger between two regenerations.

Charge volumique; Specific flow rate

This is the flow rate (in m³/h) divided by the resin volume (in m³).

Co- et contre-courant; Co-flow and reverse flow

Co-current regeneration takes place in the same direction as the resin depletion phase (from top to bottom), while counter-current (reverse flow) regeneration takes place in the opposite direction: from bottom to top when depletion takes place from top to bottom, or from top to bottom when depletion...