DOMOSOFT UKV-BIO series softeners are used to remove all or part of the hardness salts, which are responsible for the formation of lime deposits, from water for drinking, technological and process use. Softened water prevents the formation of limescale deposits in hydraulic circuits, helps to improve the performance of systems by optimising energy savings, and in technological systems, in many cases improves processes.

In the domestic sector, softened water is also particularly suitable for supplying washing machines, dishwashers, washing laundry, personal hygiene and cooking food. In particular, softeners are used in numerous civil and industrial applications to protect against limescale deposits in the following circuits and systems:

• hot and cold drinking water distribution circuits
• boilers for hot water heating systems and related circuits
• other plants in industrial sectors where softened water is required for specific processes

Water softeners are drinking water treatment devices based on the principle of ion exchange resins by which calcium and magnesium ions (hardness constituent salts) are replaced with equivalent sodium ions. These devices are equipped with electronics that can perform proportional regeneration on a volumetric statistical basis and reduce regenerant consumption by up to 50%.

The electronics constantly updates a bi-weekly average of the daily water consumption required by the user and starts regeneration at the set time on the day determined by the electronics, depending on the statistical average water consumption on the different days of the week, the exchange capacity and the water hardness set. If the reserve of treated water is not sufficient to meet the calculated statistical demand for the following day, the device automatically starts regeneration at the set time.

If, on the other hand, the reserve of treated water is still sufficient for the following day, the equipment does not start regeneration while waiting for the statistically processed signal to regenerate. This is to ensure that softened water is always available to the user. The regeneration start time can be set and is generally set at night when the demand for water to the user is lowest. The softener at the time of regeneration calculates how much regenerant it needs to draw in to restore the cyclic capacity of the device to one hundred percent and adjusts the consumption of regenerant to the actual exhaustion of the resin bed, allowing considerable savings in running costs.

The softeners are equipped as standard with an adjustable mixing valve, incorporated in the head, to obtain the desired residual hardness at the outlet of the device and are fitted with a self-disinfection system at each regeneration.

Special and basic requirements:

• Electronics complete with backlit display and simple programming keyboard
• Rotary-type control valve
• Countercurrent regeneration with equal current final rinse
• Proportional regeneration on a volumetric basis
• Regenerant savings of up to 50%
• Simplified programming procedure
• Backlit display showing: status of cyclic residual capacity, regeneration phases and their duration, residual softened water reserve dispensable, total volume of softened water dispensed since commissioning, instantaneous softened water flow rate, total number of regenerations carried out since commissioning
• Possibility of starting manual regeneration
• Possibility of programming forced automatic regeneration (recommended for potable water: at least every 96 hours)
• Automatic self-disinfection system at each regeneration
• Built-in adjustable mixing valve for obtaining the desired residual hardness
• Built-in check valve in the header
• Back-up memory for resetting key settings in memory
• Safety operating voltage: 12Vdc
• CE declaration of conformity
• Materials in contact with water according to D.M. 174/04

Install the equipment in compliance with current local standards and the provisions of Ministerial Decree 37/08 and Health Ministerial Decree 25/2012. Installation must be carried out by a qualified installer able to issue a regular Declaration of Conformity.

They are installed on the cold water inlet pipe from the aqueduct, or upstream of the hydraulic circuit to be supplied with softened water. Install the softener in a covered, dry room on a flat, level floor. Only use flexible hoses for the hydraulic connection.

Protect the equipment from pressure fluctuations and water hammer. Install upstream and downstream shut-off valves and a by-pass circuit. Protect the softener from the ingress of impurities by installing a safety sand trap upstream of the softener, as required by regulations.

Always provide separate free-mouthed connections for the drain and overflow that can absorb and drain water during regeneration and in the event of accidental leaks. Provide in the vicinity of the appliance, on a line protected by an earth leakage circuit breaker, a 230 V/50 Hz electrical socket with grounding in accordance with standards.

Protect the softener from frost, direct and indirect exposure to sunlight and weather. Avoid contact with chemical agents of any kind, oils, solvents, detergents as well as heat sources above 40°C. The water pressure in the network must be higher than the minimum and lower than the maximum permitted pressure; if it is higher than the maximum permitted pressure, install a pressure reducer.

The electrical supply voltage must correspond to the supply voltage of the equipment and be stable without voltage fluctuations beyond the norm. The water to be softened must be free of iron and manganese, and with salinity, organic substances and all other chemical-physical and microbiological characteristics within the parameter values envisaged by L.D. 31/01 (and subsequent updates) for water for drinking water use.

In the case of water with different characteristics, contact the Head Office technical office to assess the possibility of using the devices and their performance characteristics according to the actual characteristics of the water. In the case of softening water for potable use, it is advisable to schedule a forced regeneration at least every 96 hours max.

Use salt corresponding to EN 973 Type A. For correct management and operation of the softener, it is recommended to have a scheduled check carried out at least twice a year by a specialised technician from the service network. The declared performances are valid for equipment correctly used and maintained in compliance with the instructions in the instruction manual.

Attention: this equipment requires regular maintenance in order to guarantee the potability requirements of the treated drinking water and the maintenance of the improvements as declared by the manufacturer. Observe carefully what is stated in the installation, use and maintenance instructions supplied with each appliance; if this is not available, ask for a copy.