Which two items are involved in ion exchange within a water treatment process?

The correct answer involves water softeners and deionization tanks because both of these components utilize ion exchange processes essential for water treatment in hemodialysis.

Water softeners primarily operate by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions, which contribute to water hardness, with sodium or potassium ions. This process helps to reduce scale buildup and improve the effectiveness of detergents during cleaning processes. The softening process is critical in ensuring that the water used in hemodialysis is free of minerals that could interfere with the purification of water.

Deionization tanks, on the other hand, use ion-exchange resins to remove all ionized salts from the water. They can exchange hydrogen ions for cations and hydroxyl ions for anions, effectively achieving high purity levels in water. This is crucial in hemodialysis, where the quality of water directly affects the safety and efficacy of the treatment.

In summary, both water softeners and deionization tanks are integral to the ion exchange process, ensuring that the water used in dialysis meets stringent purity requirements. Their functions contribute directly to creating safe and effective treatment environments for patients.