METHOD OF SOFTENING UNDERGROUND-SOURCE WATER (OPTIONS) Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: water treatment. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to softening of underground-source water for providing population with process water and drinking water in regions lacking fresh water and having salt water so that environmental safety were preserved. Method comprises underground water intake in a source, mounting water desalting plant with reverse- osmosis module allowing production of softened water and brine. Reverse-osmosis module is placed in water- intake facility or in channel for supplying water from water-intake facility to ground surface. One or several additional reverse-osmosis modules are also provided in the same water-intake facility or water-supply channel. The latter is constructed in the form of hole, pipeline, or well. Softened water and brine are obtained in reverse- osmosis module owing to hydrostatic pressure. Brine is removed from reverse-osmosis module weather into underground water-bearing bed or into surface reservoir and salt concentration in brine from reverse-osmosis module is equalized with salt concentration in water-bearing bed water. When water in the outlet of reverse- osmosis module has reduced salt concentration, it transferred to the ground surface, where it is subjected to further softening. EFFECT: enhanced water softening efficiency. 12 cl, 8 ex