An elution study is ...

An elution study is performed on a water softener during regeneration to determine how well each step has been set up, and to look at results of each step:

(1) during back-wash is there any loss of resin?  What is the flow rate, and does the vessel/system shudder or slam at the beginning of the back-wash?

(2) during brine draw what is the salt concentration profile over time?  This means sampling repeatedly during this step, and plotting results.  What are the calcium, magnesium, etc. concentration profiles over time during this step?  Are you stopping brine flow too soon, or are you wasting brine after there is no further elution of calcium and magnesium?

(3) during slow rinse step, is the flow rate correct, and what is the conductivity profile over time?

(4) during fast rinse, are you allowing sufficient rinse in to settle the resin bed well?  Is the flow rate correct, and is there still a highly elevated conductivity profile, or not?  How much residual hardness is detected during this step?