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Minerals containing calcium and magnesium form soluble bicarbonates when exposed to carbonic acid. Water containing these minerals is known as "hard water". [citation needed] When hard water is heated in a plumbing system, carbon dioxide goes out of solution, and bicarbonates become carbonates, which are much less soluble.
Lime softening produces large volumes of a mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide in a very finely divided white precipitate which may also contain some organic matter flocculated out of the raw water. Processing or disposal of this sludge material may be an additional cost to the process. Drying and re-calcining the waste allows ...
Calcium deposits, primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3), react with weak acids to form calcium salts that are soluble in water. The general reaction can be represented as follows: CaCO 3 + 2H + → Ca 2+ + CO 2 + H 2 O. Here, H + represents the hydrogen ions provided by the acid
Calcium, magnesium, and carbonate ions dissolve from rocks through which rainwater percolates before collection. Calcium salts, such as calcium carbonate [ citation needed ] and calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO 3 ) 2 ), are more soluble in hot water than cold water; thus, heating water alone does not cause calcium carbonate to precipitate.
Vinegar can also be used to clean hard surfaces and remove calcium deposits. Sulphuric acid is used in acidic drain cleaners to unblock clogged pipes by dissolving organic materials, like greases, proteins, and even carbohydrate-containing substances such as toilet tissue.
Similarly, soft water produces no calcium deposits in water heating systems. Hard water also forms deposits that clog plumbing. These deposits, called "scale", are composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2), and calcium sulfate (CaSO 4). [3] Calcium and magnesium carbonates tend to be deposited as off-white ...