Claims(8)
I claim:
1. A process for the regeneration of a column of an exhausted sodium zeolite softener which comprises feeding an excess of substantially pure soft sodium chloride brine at a concentration of about 8-12% as input regenerating liquid to said zeolite column and removing from said zeolite column a hard brine containing substantial amounts of alkaline earth metal values, adjusting the total volume of regenerative liquid passing through said zeolite column so that the alkaline earth metal values calculated as CaCO3 have a maximum value of about 16,000 ppm so as to avoid the formation of a gelatinous product and further precipitating the alkaline earth metals by utilization of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide, removing the calcium and magnesium precipitates formed and adjusting the pH of the so-treated liquid to below 8.0 with HCl to produce a softened brine suitable for recycle as the regenerating liquid.