Commercial Media Filtration and Ion Exchange Softening Systems

This course focuses on the engineering principles, operation, and field maintenance of granular media filtration and ion exchange softening equipment in commercial facilities. Technicians examine bed hydraulics, backwash dynamics, pressure drop calculations, and particulate removal across various granular configurations, including multi-media, activated carbon, and specialized iron-manganese reduction systems. The curriculum advances through cation exchange softening mechanics, brine reclamation dynamics, and volumetric sizing based on influent hardness, flow rates, and grain capacities. Students gain hands-on proficiency in control valve disassembly, internal distributor rebuilds, regenerant draw optimization, and differential pressure troubleshooting. Emphasis is placed on system commissioning, water testing metrics, sanitary sanitization protocols, and media replacement safety. Through diagnostic simulations and field-aligned servicing tasks, technicians cultivate the analytical skills required to maximize run lengths, protect downstream equipment, and maintain peak commercial performance standards.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Prerequisites

WTR 101

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Principles of Depth and Granular Media Filtrationlecture

02Lesson 2: Media Selection: Sand, Anthracite, Garnet, and Activated Carbonlecture

03Lesson 3: Filtration Hydraulics, Bed Expansion, and Backwash Dynamicslecture

04Hands-on Lab: Media Bed Loading, Layering, and Differential Pressure Testinglab

05Lesson 5: Iron, Manganese, and Hydrogen Sulfide Reduction Systemslecture

06Lesson 6: Chemistry and Physics of Cation Exchange Softeninglecture

07Lesson 7: Softener Sizing, Grain Capacity, and Salt Dosage Calculationslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Commercial Control Valve Disassembly, Rebuild, and Seal Replacementlab

09Lesson 9: Regeneration Cycle Sequences: Backwash, Brine Draw, and Rapid Rinselecture

10Lesson 10: Brine Management Systems, Float Assemblies, and Dissolution Dynamicslecture

11Hands-on Lab: Softener Profiling, Brine Draw Diagnostics, and Hardness Elution Testinglab

12Lesson 12: Resin Degradation, Media Fouling Remediation, and Chemical Sanitizationlecture

13Lesson 13: Commercial Multi-Tank Configurations: Alternating, Parallel, and Progressive Flowlecture

14Capstone Service Project: Multi-Tank System Comprehensive Overhaul, Commissioning, and Handoverassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Principles of Depth and Granular Media Filtration", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Media Selection: Sand, Anthracite, Garnet, and Activated Carbon", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Filtration Hydraulics, Bed Expansion, and Backwash Dynamics", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Media Bed Loading, Layering, and Differential Pressure Testing", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Iron, Manganese, and Hydrogen Sulfide Reduction Systems", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Chemistry and Physics of Cation Exchange Softening", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Softener Sizing, Grain Capacity, and Salt Dosage Calculations", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Commercial Control Valve Disassembly, Rebuild, and Seal Replacement", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Regeneration Cycle Sequences: Backwash, Brine Draw, and Rapid Rinse", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Brine Management Systems, Float Assemblies, and Dissolution Dynamics", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Softener Profiling, Brine Draw Diagnostics, and Hardness Elution Testing", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Resin Degradation, Media Fouling Remediation, and Chemical Sanitization", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Commercial Multi-Tank Configurations: Alternating, Parallel, and Progressive Flow", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Multi-Tank System Comprehensive Overhaul, Commissioning, and Handover"]