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<br />_ '-1 <br />~~(j , <br /> <br />MET 11 0 POI. IT "N \\' ,\ T E 11 D 1ST R leT <br /> <br />much value a' possible can be sah'aged from the old mineral, and <br />is being tested on the zeolite which has been removed from the <br />softeners. <br />In order to increase the plant capacity sufficiently to meet the <br />high summer demand for water the zeolite in six of the twelve <br />softener units was replaced with new mineral. Equal quantities <br />of mineral were purchased from three major manufacturers of <br />zeolite to provide a means for comparing the exchange and opel" <br />ating characterist.ics of the different minerals. <br /> <br />Zeolite production <br /> <br />In the early part of 194G, due t.o war time scarcities, it became <br />practicall)' impossible for the District to purchase the synthetic <br />zeolite required at t.he softcning plant to make up normal attrit.ion <br />losses in the mineral. As a result, investigations were made which <br />led to the construction of a batching plant and 14 drying beds each <br />400 square feet in area, This was calculated to produce only the <br />zeolite required for the attrition lo,ses and not for any large reo <br />placements which might. be required, The first zeolite was poured <br />in July 1945, and after drying, was harve,ted about two weeks <br />later. During the 1945-46 fiscal year a total of 1197 cubic feet of <br />good quality zeolite was produced. The plant, entirely of District <br />design and construction, has operated satisfactorily throughout the <br />year. producing zeolite at a cost lower than the purchase price on <br />the open market. <br /> <br />Lillie "nd god" "sh supply <br /> <br />The procurement of lime and soda ash for the water softening <br />process became increasingly difticult as the year progressed. The <br />five-year contract for lime expired in April 1946. and no bids were <br />received on a new contract. A small amount of lime was obtained, <br />locally, but the major quantity had to be purchased in Texas, <br />This lime cost from two to three times that of lime procured <br />under the original five-year contract, As a result. investigations <br />are being resumed of the installation of lime reclamation equip. <br />ment at the softening plant, Such equipment was originally con. <br />t~mplated and planned, but its construction was delayed because <br />of the favorable five-year lime contract which was made at that <br />time. The shortage of soda ash is nation-wide. Only occasional <br />carload shipment. could be procured, Under certain operating <br />conditions this shortage resulted in harder water being produced, <br /> <br />, <br />