Backwash Bed-Expansion & Upflow Regneration

[Ĝan Ŭesli Starling]

On some websites is touted many savings to be got from up-flow regeneration over down-flow. Namely, to not be washing minerals into the un-spent portion of the bed.

However, as resin manufacturers recommend enough backwash flow to obtain 50% to 70% bed expansion, does this not first recirculate all the beads into new positions upon resettling prior to regeneration?

For certain, on viewing videos of the Enpress Vortech tank, that would seem to be the case.

Thoughts, please?

 

[Bannerman]

However, as resin manufacturers recommend enough backwash flow to obtain 50% to 70% bed expansion, does this not first recirculate all the beads into new positions upon resettling prior to regeneration?

Not necessarily all, but a substantial portion.

The potential additional efficiency some sites suggest is really only marginal in a residential-sized system. For a system that consumes 500K lbs salt per year, then even as little as 0.5% efficiency improvement would be substantial. but in a residential size system, would remain virtually unnoticed. Downflow regeneration is less problematic and so is recommended for a residential application.

If you want to achieve similar results using downflow, programming a 2nd backwash which will be directly following the Brine Draw cycle, will redistribute (reclassify) the most thoroughly regenerated granules from the top to throughout the entire resin bed.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Ĝan Ŭesli Starling]

...as resin manufacturers recommend enough backwash flow to obtain 50% to 70% bed expansion, does this not first recirculate all the beads into new positions upon resettling prior to regeneration?

Okay, I jumped the gun on this one. Have found that Clack upflow-regenerating valves are quite different animals internally. Firstly, the "1st backwash" (so-called) is absent. And "2nd backwash" is now the only. Thus no purtubation of bead position prior to the upflow regen cycle.

Also the Clack models that up-flow for regen have a different internal valve and piston. Makes sense, owing to the reversal.

 

[ditttohead]

They also use much smaller injectors so as to not cause bed expansion. I do training seminars for companies to promote either upflow or downflow regeneration of softeners. I can make a convincing argument either way but in general, stick with downflow regen. it is simpler and it is unlikely you would ever notice the difference in efficiency and water quality. There are legitimate arguments for upflow, but for the vast majority of applications it would not be noticed and the simplicity is well worth it.