What do calcium and magnesium ions form when a zeolite softener is regenerated?

When a zeolite softener is regenerated, it typically involves a chemical reaction where sodium ions from brine (usually in the form of sodium chloride) are used to displace the calcium and magnesium ions that have accumulated in the zeolite during the softening process. The zeolite is a material that can hold these hard water ions, and when it is saturated with calcium and magnesium, it requires regeneration to continue functioning effectively.

The regeneration process exchanges sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions, effectively replacing the hardness ions with sodium. This results in the formation of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, which are soluble salts that are washed away during the regeneration process.

Understanding the regeneration of zeolite softeners is essential because the primary purpose of this procedure is to restore the softener's ability to remove hardness from water. The correct choice reflects the actual chemical species that are produced as a result of this regeneration process. In summary, calcium and magnesium ions formed during the operation of the softener are converted into calcium chloride and magnesium chloride upon regeneration, effectively completing the cycle needed for continued softening of water.