Process and apparatus for regenerating ion-exchange material in a water softening system

Claim 1

A PROCESS FOR REJUVENATING ION-EXCHANGE MATERIAL IN PARALLEL CONNECTED TANKS IN A WATER SOFTENING SYSTEM COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CONNECTING THE FIRST OF SAID TANKS TO BE REJUVENATED WITH A DRAIN PIPE, PROVIDING A SUPPLY OF HARD WATER TO THE SECOND TANK AND PASSING IT IN ION-EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIP WITH MATERIAL THEREIN FOR PRODUCING SOFT WATER AT THE OUTLET THEREOF, MIXING THE SOFT WATER WITH BRING PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO SAID FIRST TANK TO OBTAIN A SOFT WATER-BRINE SOLUTION, PASSING SAID SOLUTION THROUGH A CONTAMINATED BED OF ION-EXCHANGE MATERIAL IN SAID FIRST TANK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME SUFFICIENT TO EFFECT REJUVENATION THEREOF AND DISCHARGING SAID SOLUTION AFTER CONTACT WITH SAID MATERIAL FROM SAID FIRST TANK INTO THE DRAIN PIPE, THEN FLOWING THE SOFT WATER FROM THE SECOND TANK WITHOUT BRINE, THROUGH THE FIRST TANK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE REJUVENATION OF SAID MATERIAL IS COMPLETE TO RINSE OUT ALL TRACES OF BRINE COMMINGLED WITH THE MATERIAL, AND DISCONNECTING SAID FIRST TANK FROM THE DRAIN PIPE.