It's been a long time since I did any molar chemistry in school and despite doing a lot of reading on the subject this week, I am making a mess of some basic calculations. I hope that someone who understands water chemistry & molar equations a lot better than I do can point me in the right direction.
I am trying to add mineral salts to soft water to adjust the calcium, magnesium and alkalinity in a predictable manner. But I can't get past the basic equations so far.
The source water I am working with is:
12.6 mg/L Hardness as CaCO3 equivalent
11.3 mg/L Alkalinity as CaCO3 equivalent
4.8 mg/L Calcium
0.2 mg/L Magnesium
1.5 mg/L Sodium
And the desired target water is:
70 mg/L Hardness as CaCO3 equivalent
40 mg/L Alkalinity as CaCO3 equivalent
20 mg/L Calcium
4.9 mg/L Magnesium
8 mg/L Sodium
I would prefer to have most of the hardness derive from calcium, rather than magnesium if possible. I plan to try
- adding sufficient baking soda, NaHCO3 to the source water to obtain 8 mg/L sodium, then
- add sufficient calcium carbonate (chalk), CaCO3 to the source water to make 50/50 GH/KH water (general hardness/carbonate hardness) i.e. 50 mg/L hardness and 50 mg/L alkalinity, both expressed as CaCO3 equivalents
- add sufficient lactic acid (88% CH3CH(OH)COOH) to neutralize some carbonate and (I hope) get to 50/40 GH/KH
- add sufficient epsom salt, MgSO4*7H2O to obtain a final result of 70/40 GH/KH.
This assumes that adding lactic acid won't remove (precipitate) calcium hardness.
The solubility of calcium carbonate in water shouldn't be an issue, I can put it under pressure with carbon dioxide, C02 if necessary to dissolve it.
If the above is not feasible, then alternately
- add sufficient baking soda, NaHCO3 to the source water to obtain 8 mg/L Sodium
- add sufficient calcium carbonate, CaCO3 to reach the alkalinity target of 40 KH (40/40 GH/KH) i.e.. 40 mg/L hardness and 40 mg/L alkalinity, both expressed as CaCO3 equivalents
- Add non-carbonate hardness by adding sufficient epsom salt, MgSO4*7H2O to obtain a final result of 70/40 GH/KH
Any help, guidance as to molar calculations and best practices in water chemistry or well honed levity welcome
Edit to add molar amounts
Source water
12.6 mg/L Hardness as CaCO3 equivalent
11.3 mg/L Alkalinity as CaCO3 equivalent
Ca 2.4 x 10-4 M
Mg 1.7 x 10-5 M
Na 1.4 x 10-4 M
Target water
70 mg/L Hardness as CaCO3 equivalent
40 mg/L Alkalinity as CaCO3 equivalent
Ca 1.0 x 10-3 M
Mg 4.1 x 10-4 M
Na 7.3 x 10-4 M