Like most other raw materials found ill nature, natural waters are often unsuitable for many purposes. In most cases water supplies are not water, but are dilute solutions of chemicals, and in addition often bear colloidal matter, suspended particles, and dissolved gases. Because natural water supplies are rarely suitable as found in nature, such waters are processed by one means or another to yield a product which is suitable for the uses to which it is to be put. Those engaged in supplying water for domestic uses must supply a product which is pleasant to taste, which is clear and without odor, and most important of all, free of harmful substances and organisms.Much water used in industry must meet still further requirements. Some uses demand water which is free of practically all foreign constituents. This last requirement is the most difficult of all to meet. The most common method of producing such water is by evaporation. Another method of producing such water has been described by Bartow (1) and others. This process consists of passing water through an electrolytic cell whereby a product of high quality call be obtained. A new method has been proposed by Adams and Holmes (2). In this process dissolved solids are removed from water by passing it through filters composed of granular organic materials which are best described as "exchangers."The materials described by Adams and Holmes had a fair capacity but were rather expensive. In order to improve this process other entirely different materials have been developed which have excellent physicial properties, high exchange capacity, and are reasonable in cost. They are essentially organic materials manufactured from readily obtainable industrial products. These exchangers are of * Presented at the Buffalo convention June 10, 1937.
Zeolite gels have been dehydrated by freezing, yielding a material of higher base-exchange value than similar oven-dried gels. A dynamic method of testing zeolites for capacity is described.
SYNTHETICzeolites are becoming more important in the water-softening field because of their high capacity and proven ability to soften water satis-(2) Oakes, B. J., dissertation submitted to the faculty of Columbia University, New York, p. 5 (1924).(3) Tyler Company, Cleveland, W. S. Catalog 53, p. 38 (1927).
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