IANA ‘US 2015003746381 cu») United States cz) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2015/0037463 A1 Skovby et al. (4s) Pub, Dat Feb. 5, 2015 ication Classification (1) Inc Cont i 2006.01) (76) Inventors: Michael Skovby, Melon (CH; Martine cons (2006.01) Potter Uattigen (CH) 2) Us.cL (CORE 168201301), COIR S90 201301} (21) ApphNos 1429.13 CHF 2103/01 2013.00) use 426166, 21074, 210779, 2107783, (22) eT Filed: u.17,2012 ae (85) PCTNo: — PCTIRP2OI208I973 a fee $371 0), The present invention concems a proces or eating water (h(a) Dae Reb, 24,2014 tide ne of alum eartonne bch proces. a pat ; jeu, the poset invention is dretd oa pres or em Related U.S. Application Data ineralization of water comprising the steps of (a) providing yea rene eee Ae cusiaaa ct es na Besar lariageomretstoncl tc moses 22011 20-mgl, preferably ina range of 25 to 100 mg and noe prefeabiy ina range of 30 to 60 mall, (6) providing an 0) orsign Application Priority Data Etcous shiny comprising ironized calcium carbonate and (6) combining the feed water of step (a) and the aqueous Jul. 22,2011 (EP) Sluy of step (b) in onder to obtain remineraized water,Patent Application Publication Feb. 5, 2015, ‘US 2015/0037463 AL Fig. 1US 2015/0037463 Al MICRONIZED CACO3 SLURRY INJECTION SYSTEM FOR THE REMINERALIZATION OF DESALINATED AND FRESH WATER {0001} The invention relates othe field of water treatment, ‘and more specifically to a process for reminerlization of ‘water and the use of calcium carbonate in such a process, [0002] Drinking water has become searce. Fven in coun- tries that are rich in water, not all soutees and reservoirs are suitable for the production of drinking water, and many sources of today are threatened by a dramatic deterioration of the water quality, Initially food water used for drinking pur- poses was mainly surface water and groundwater. However the treatment of seawater, brine, brackish waters, waste ‘waters and contaminated effluent waters is ging more and ‘more importance for environmental and economic reasons. 10003) "In order to recover water from seawater or brackish ater, for potable usiges, several processes areknow, whieh are of considerable importance for dry ares, coastal rons ‘and sea islands, and such processes comprise distillation, electrolytic as well as osmotic or reverse osmotic processes ‘The water obtained by such processes is very soft and has a low pH valle because ofthe lack of pH-bulfering sas, and ts, tends to be highly reactive and unless treated, it can ‘create severe corrosion dfficltis during its transport in con- ‘ventional pipelines. Furthermore, untreated desalinated water ‘cannot be used directly a5 a source of drinking water. To prevent the dissolution of undesirable substances in pipeline ‘stems. (© avoid the corrosion of water works such as pipes and valves and to make the water palatable, itis necessary to remineraize the water 10004} - Conventional processes that are mainly used forthe remincralization of water are Time dissolution by carbon dioxide and limestone bed filteation. Other, les common, Femineralization processes, comprise, eg. the addition of hydrated Hime and sodium carbonate, the addition of calcium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate, or the addition of ealeium ‘chloride and sodium bicarbonate 10005] -Thelime process involves treatment of ime solution ith CO, acidified water, wheroin the following reaction is involved {0006} _Ascan be gathered from theabove rection scheme, {wo equivalents of CO, are necessary to convert one equiva Feat of Ca(OH), into Car” and bicarbonate for reminerl tion, This method is dependent on the aditon af two oq Jeats of CO,, in onder to convert the basic anion hydrox tothe bullering bicarbonate species. For the remineraliza- ton of water sulurted caleiim hydroxide solution, com- ‘monly named lime water, of 0.1-0.2 wt.% based on the total ‘weight, is prepared from a Time milk (usually at most $ w1-96), Therefore a saturator to produce the lime water must thereat be used and are volumes lime water arenocessary toachievethe target level of remineralization. further dram back of his method is that hydrated lime is eormosive and requires appropriate handling and specific equipment. Fur- thermore, poorly controlled addition of hydrated ime tothe soft water ean lead to unwanted pH shifts due tothe absence ‘of buffering propertics of lime, 10007] The limestone bod filteation process comprises the step of passing the soft water through a bed of granular imestone dissolving the calcium carbonate in the water flow: ‘Contacting limestone with CO, acidified water mineralizes the water sovording te CaCO COO 1005- Feb. 5, 2015 [0008] Unlike the Time process only one equivalent of CO, is soichiometrically necessary to convert one equivalent of CaCO, into Ca" and bicarbonate forremineralization, Mone- over, limestone is not comosive und due to the buflering properties of CaCO, major pH shifts are prevented [0009] One adltional advantage of using calcium carbon te instead of lime's its very low earbon dioxide footprint. la ‘order to produce oe ton of eaeium carbonate 75 ke of CO, js emitted, whereas 750 kg of CO, is emitted forthe produc- tionofonetonor lime, Therefore the use ofealeium carbonate instead of lime presents some environmental benefits [0010] However, the dissoution rate of granular calcium carbonate slow and large filters re needed forthe limestone {ration process. That causes a sizeable footprint of these filters, and large plant surfaces are required for such lime- stone bed filtration ystems [0011] Methods for emineralization of water using Hime milk or a shuy of lime are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374, (604 and EP 0 520826. U.S. Pat, No. $,914,046 describes & method for reducing the acidity in eluent discharges using a pulsed limestone bed [0012] The applicant also knows unpublished European Patent Application 10 172°771.7 deseribing a method for the remineralizaton of desalinated and fresh water by injecting rieronized calcium carbonate slurry and gaseous carbon oxide in feed water, 0013] | However, ll ofthe above cited prior at documents Ueseribe processes for the reminealization of feed water ‘cnaining no or low concentration of carbon dioxide before the remineralization process. [0014] Yet, thee also exists feed water having a high or sifficient concentration of earhon dioxide hefore the remsine alization process, based on the level or remineralization ‘wanted. By ahigh or sufficient concentration of earbon diox- ide itis meant an amount oft leat 20mg CO. perliterof feed [0018] One type of feed water having such a high concen- ‘ration of carbon dioxide is ground water originating from Water that has been percolating through calcareous rocks oF due fo anaerobic conditions [0016] Another type of feed water baving a concentration fof earhon dioxide of at Ieast 20 mg, ean for example be ‘ound during the treatment of waste water in a sewage plat. The reason therelor is that one treatment step ofthe Waste water consists inthe desalination ofthewaste water by the use of reverse osmosis. However, in order to prevent oF reduce scale formation on the membranes of the reverse osmosis ppanits, acid, in particular sulfuric acid is added to the reverse osmosis feed water in order to lower the pH. The ‘addition of acid in the reverse osmosis fed leads oa conver sion ofthe carbonate species in te feed water to free carbon ioxide which i not removed by the membranes of the reverse osmosis apparatisandithus i presenti the feed water Jeaving the osmosis apparatus. This excess carbon dioxide present inthe feed water however, has to be removed before the alton of Hime. At present, the removal of the excess carbon dioxide in the feed water is carried ot by using cost time- and energy consuming decarbonators, [0017] ‘Ths, considering the drawbacks of the knosin pro= cesses for romineralization of water, it isan abject of the present invention to provide an altemative or improved pro- ess for reminerlization of water having an initial eoncen- ‘ration of earbon dioxide of atleast 20 mg/l, and where theUS 2015/0037463 Al remineraized water has a defined level of reminerlization, for example a calcium concentration of 30 t0 40 mgll as CaCO, [0018] Another objet ofthe present invention i to provide 1 pmcess for the remineralization of water that does not require a corrosive compound, and thus, voids the danger of incrastation, climinates the nced for comsion resistant ‘equipent, sd provides sae environment for people works ingin the plan, It woudalso be desrsble to providen process thatis environmental riendly nd that reduces the operational ‘costs due 10 the omission ofa time, enemy- and evst con- suming process step 10019] Another object ofthe present invention i to provide 8 process for reminecalizaton of water, wherein the amount ‘of minerals can be adjusted tothe required values, 10020] Another objet of te present invention i to provide process forremineralizaion using limestone that allows the use of smaller remineralization units, or to provides reminer lization process that allows the use of smaller volumes ofthe Femineralizaton compound, for instance, in comparison With the lime process. It would also be desirable to provide & process thatea be operated on smallerplant surfaces than the limestone bed fillrtion process. 0021} The foregoing and other objects are solved by the provision of process for remineralization of water compels- {ng the steps af (a) providing feed water having s cancentma- tionofearbon dioxide of atleast 20mg, preferably inarange (0825 to 100 mg/l, and more preferably ina range of 30t0 60 ‘mg! (6) providing an aqueous slury comprising micronized calcium carbonate, and (¢) combining the feed water of step 4) and the aqueous slurry of step b) in order to obtain rem incalized water 10022] According to another aspect of the preseat inven tion, # use of a mieronized calcium carbonate for remineral ination of water is provided, 10023] Advantageous embodiments of the present inven- tion are defined inthe corresponding sub-claims, 10024] According to one embodiment the concentration of ‘calcium carbonatein thestury is fron 0.05 t 40 wt, from, 110 25 wi-%, from 2 10 20 wt%, preferably from 3 to 15 svt, and most preferably from 5 ¥0 10 w-% based on the ‘otal Weight of the slurry, or the concentration of calcium ‘earonate inthe shurry is from 10 to 40 wt, from 15 t0 30, 14-4, oF fom 20 to 25 wi-% based on the ota weight ofthe suzy: According to anther embodiment thecaleium carbon- ‘ate has a partile size foam 0.1 to 100 yan, rom 0.5 to 50, from 10 15 pm, preferably from 240 10 jum, most preferably 31055 jum, or thecaleium carbonate asa particle size fom 1 ‘$0 um, from 2to 20 um, preferably from 5 to 1S um, most preferably Sto 12 un. According o stil another embodiment the calcium carbonate has « HCl insoluble content from 0.02 12.5 Wi-%, 0.05 0 1.5 W-%, oF 0.1 1 0:6 wi-% based on thetotal weight of themicroaized calcium carbonate. Accord- ing to sill another embodiment the caleium carbonate is & round calcium carbonate, modified calcium carbonate, or precipitated calcium carbonate, or mixtures thereof, 0025] According © one embodiment the slurry comprises Jurher_minerals containing magnesium, potassium or soditm, preferably magnesiim carbonate, ealeium magne- sium carbonate, eg. dolomitic limestone, calcareous dolo- rit, dolomite orhall-burt dolomite; magnesium oxide such as burnt dolomite, magnesium sulfate, potassium hydrogen. ‘carbonate, or sodinm fydrmgen carbonate. Accomding to another embodiment the slurry is freshly prepared by mixing, Feb. 5, 2015 Water and the calcium carbonate, According to still another ‘embodiment the line period between the preparation of the slury andthe injection ofthe lury is ess than 48 hours, ess than 24 hours ess than 12 hours, less than S hours, less than 2hoursorless than | hour. According o stil another embod rent the injected slury meets microbiological quality reqirementsspecife by thenational guidelines for drinking [0026] According to one embodiment the obtained rem- ineralized water has caleium concentration as caleium cat bonate from 15 0 200 mg, preferably from 50 10 150 mg ‘and most prefered from 100 1 125 mg of from 15 10 100 ‘gl preferably from 20t080 mil and most preferably rom 40 t0 60 mei [0027] According to another embodiment the obtained ‘emincralized water has a magnesium concentration fom Sto 25 mpl, preferably from 5 10 15 mg, and most preferred from 8 to 12 mg/l. Aeconding to still another embodiment the remineralized water has a turbidity value of lower than 5.0, NTU, lowerthan LONTU, lower than 0.$NTU,orlosierthan o3NTU, [0028] According to another preferred embodiment the remincralized water has Langelier Saturation ladex fom -2 {0 1, preferably from =1.9 to 09, and most preferably from 0.9109, According to still another embodiment the reminer alized water has a Slit Density Index SDI, below 5, prefer fhly below 4, and most prefered below 3. Aeconding to stil ‘ther embodiment the remineralized water has Mem- brane Fouling Index MFI, 45 below 4, preferably below 2.5, ‘most prefered below 2. [0029] According 0 one embodiment the feed water is esafinated seawater, brackish water or brine, treated waste- Water of natural water such as sound water, surface water ar rinfall, and preferably desalinated seawater, brackish water ‘or brine, treated wastewater of ground water. [0030] "According to one embodiment the remineraized water is blended with feed water. According to another ‘embodiment the process fuer comprises a pariele removal step. [031] According to one embodiment the process further ‘comprises the steps of (d) measuring a parameter value ofthe remineralized water, wherein the parameter i selected from the group comprising alkalinity total hardness, conductivity calcium concentration, pH, CO, concentration, total di solved solids, and turbidity of the reminerlized water, (e) ‘comparing the measured parameter value with a predeter ‘mined parameter value, and ({) providing the amount of injected slurry on the basis of the difference between the meuiured and the predetermined parameter value. According to another embodiment the predetermined parameter vali is pH value, wherein the pH value is from .5 to 9, preferably from 710 85. [0032] According to one embodiment the micronized cal- ‘ium carbonate i sed for remineralization of water, wherein the remineralized water is selected from drinking water ee- reation watee stich as water for swimming pools, industrial ‘water for process applications, irrigation Water, oF water for Aaguiter or well recat. [0033] ‘The tenn “alkalinity (TAC)" as used inthe present invention sa measure ofthe ability ofa soution to neutralize Acids to the equivalence point of earbonate or bicarbonate ‘The alkalinity is equal tothe stoichiometric sum of the bases in soto and is specified in mg/las CaCO. The allalinity may be measured with atieatorUS 2015/0037463 Al 10034) For the purpose ofthe present invent “calcium concentration” refers to the total eal the solution and is specified in mg/las Ca°* or as CaCO, The ‘concentration may be measured witha titator 10035] “Condvetivity” in the meaning ofthe present inven: tion is used as an indicator of how saltlre, ion-fee, oF Jmporiy-Tre the measured water is the pure the water, the lower the conductivity. The conductivity can be measured with a conductivity meter and is specified in wSfem. 10036] “Ground calcium earbonate (GCC)" in the meaning ‘of the present invention i calcium carbonate obtained fom natural sourees including marble, chal, limestone or dolo- mite Cait is «carbonate mineral und the most stable poly- ‘mogph of calcium carbonate. The other polymorphs of eal- ‘cium carbonate are the minerals aragonite und vterite Aragonite will change to calete at 380-470" C., and vaterite js even Tess stable, Ground calcium carhonate is processed through a treatment such as grinding, sereening andor frae- ‘ionizing by wet andor dy, for example, by a eyelone.Itis known to the skilled person that ground calcium carbonate ‘can inherently contains defined concentration of magnesinn, such as itis the case for dolomite ealete 10037] The term “Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)" as used in the present invention describes the fendeney of an aqueous liquid to be scale-orming or corrosive, with a posi- tive LSI indicating sealeforming tendencies and a negative LST indicating a corrosive character. balanced Langelicr Saturation Index, ie, LSI-0, therefore means thatthe aqne- ‘ous Tiguid isin chemical balance, The LSI is ealelated as follows siete, ‘wherein pH is the actual pH value ofthe aqueous liquid and Pl, isthe pl vakte ofthe aqucous iquidat CaCO. saturation. The pH, can be estimated as follows herein A is the numerical value indicator of total dissolved solids (TDS) present inthe aqueous liquid, B isthe numerical Value indicator of temperanire ofthe aqueous lghidia K,Cis the numerical value indicator of the calcium concentration oF the aqueous liquid in mg/1 of CaCO,, and Dis the numerical ‘value indicator of alkalinity ofthe aqueous figuid in mg of CaCO, The parameters A to D are determined using the following equations: Alor TDS>-1016, Boao OTHE, Crlonalea 04, Pop TAC), ‘wherein TDS are the toa dissolved solids in mg, isthe temper in, [Cais the calm concentration of the queens lguidinmgLofCaCO,, and TAC isthe alkalinity of the aqueous guid fa mg/l of CaCO, 10038) “The erm *Silt Density Index (SDD as used inthe present invention refers tothe qdanity of particulate materin ‘voter and correlates with the fouling tendency of reverse ‘osmosisor nanofitation systems. The SDT ean be calculated, eg rom thera of plugging ofa O48 ym membrane fer when water is passed through at constnt applied water Presure of 208 6k. The SD, ales alee rom the Fat of plugang of 048 yan menbrane filter when Wate is Feb. 5, 2015 passed through ata constant applied water pressure of 208.6 KPa during 15 min. Typically, spiral wound reverse osmosis systems will ned an SDI ess than 5, and hollow liber reverse ‘osmosis systems will need an SDI less thin 3. 0039] The term “Modified Fouling Index (MFI)" as used in the present invention refers to the concentration of sus- pended matter and isa more accurate index than the SDI for predicting the tendency of water to foul reverse osmosis or ‘nanofiltration membranes, The method dat can be used Tor ‘determining the MFI may be the same as forthe SDI except thatthe volume is reconded every 30 seconds overa 1S minute filtration perio. The MF can he obtained graphically as the slope of the straight part of the curve when UV is plotted ‘against V (tis the time in seconds to collet a volume of V in Tiers) A MEL value of <1 corresponds toaSDI value of about “3 and can be considered as sulliciently low to control col Joidal and particulate fouling. [0040] Incase an ulteafitation (UE) membeane is used for ‘MET measurements the index is called MFL-UF in coateastt0 the MEI, 4; where 8 0.45 im membrane filter is used [0041] Tor the purpose ofthe present invention, the term “mnieonized” refers ta particle size inthe micrometer range, eg, a parle size from 0.1 to 100 pm. The micronized particles may be obtained by techniques based on friction, eg. milling or grinding ether under wet or dry conditions However, itis also possible to produce the micronized pare ticles by any other suitable method, eg. by precipitation ‘pd expansion of supereritical solutions, spray drying, clas- sifleation or fractionation of natural occurring sands or muds, {irationof water, sol-gel processes, spray reaction synthes ‘lame synthesis, or liquid foam synthesis. [042] Throughout the present document, the “particle size” of a caleium carbonate product is described by its i tribution of particle sizes. The valved, represents the diam- fer relative to which x % by weight of the particles have tamcters less than d.. This means thatthe d, value i the partclesizeat which 30.,-% oll particles ate smaller and the dos value is the particle size at which 75 w% of all particles are smaller. The dx value is thus the weight median particle size, 2. 0 wi. of all grains are bigger or smaller thanthis particle size. For the purpose othe present invention thepariclesiz is specified as weight median particlesizedy, inless indicated otherwise. For determining the weight rmedian particle size d., value for particles having dys areater than 0.5 jun, a Sedigraph S100 device from the com- pany Micromertes, USA can be used [043] “Precipitated caleium carbonate (PCC)" in the caning of the present invention isa synthesized material, generally obtained by precipitation following the reaction of tarbon dioxide and lime in an aqueous eaviroament or by precipitation of acaleium and eatbonatesourcein water orby precipitation of calcium and carbonate ions, for example CaCl; and Ne,COs, out of solution. Precipitated ealeinm carbonate exists in three primary erystalline forms: cal aragonite and vaterite, ad there are many different polymor= pis erystal habits) foreach ofthese crystalline forms, Cate thas trigonal structure with typical erystal habits such as sealenohedral (S-PCC), chombohedeal (R-PCC), hexagonal prismatic, pinaeoidal, colloidal (C-PCC), cubic, and pris- ‘matie (P-PCC), Aragonite is an onhorhombie stricture With ‘ypicalerystal habits of twinned hexagonal prismatic crystals, as well as diverse assortment of thin elongated prismatic, ceurved bladed, steep pyramidal, chisel shaped crystals, branching tre, and coral or wormlike Form,US 2015/0037463 Al 0043) shonate” inthe meaning ofthe present invention ia surlace-reacted natal calcium carbon ‘ate that js obvained by’ a process where natural caleium ear bona is acted wilh one more acids having a pK, at 28°C. ‘of 2.5 or less and with gaseous CO, formed in sity andor ‘coming from an external supply, and optionally inthe pres- fence of atleast one alumintim silicate andor atleast one syithetic silica and/or at least one calcium silicate andoe at least one silicate ofa monovalent salt such as sodium silicate andor potassium silicate andor lithium silicate, andlor at least one aluminum hydroxide and/or at least one sosium ‘and/or potassium silicate, Further details about the prepara tion ofthe surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate are dis- ‘closed in WO 00/39222 and US 2004/0020410 AL, the con- tents of these references herewith being included in the present patent application [0045] "The teem “remineralization” as used in the present invention refers to the restoration of minerals in water not ‘containing minerals at all or ina sufficient amount to obtain ‘ater that is palatable. A remincralization can be achieved by adding at Jeast calcium carbonate to the water to be teate. Optionally, eg. for health-related benefits of to ensure the appropriate intake of some essential minerals and trace ele- meas, further substances may be mixed tothe calcium ear bonate and then alded to the water during the remineraliza- tion provess. According to the national guidelines on humia health and drinking water quality, the remineralized product may’ comprise additional minerals containing magnesium, potassium of sodium, e.2, magnesium carbonate, magne- sium sulfate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydro- en carbonate or other minerals containing essential ace ‘clement, 10046] For the purpose ofthe present invention, a “Slurry” ‘comprises insoluble solids and water and optionally further Additives and usually contains large amounts of soids and, thus is more viscous and generally of higher density than the Jiguid from whieh its formed. [0047] |The term “total dissolved solids (TDS)” as used in the present invention isa measure ofthe combined content of all inorganic and organic suhstances contained in lig ia molecular, ionized or miero-pranular (colloidal sol) sus- pended form. Generally the operational definition is thst the solids must be small enough to survive fittaion through sieve the size of to mieromete. The total dissolved solids ‘can be estimated with a conductivity meter and are specified in mg! [0048] “Turbidity” inthe meaning ofthe present invention describes the cloudiness or haziness of a fuid caused by individual panicles (euspendd solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eve. The measurement of turbidity is @ key test of water quality and can be carried out with nephelometer. The units of turbidity from a calibrated neplilometer as used in the present invention are specified as Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). 10049] The inveative process for remineralization of water ‘comprises the steps of (a) providing feed water having a ‘concentration of carbon coxide ofa least 20 mg/l, preferably inthe rangeof 25 t 100 mg/l, and more preferably ina range (0£30 to 60 mall (b) providing an aqueous slury comprising mictonized calcium earbonate, and (¢) combining the feed water ofstep (a) and the aqueous slury of step (b) in order to ‘bin remineralized water 0050] The feed water ta he is used in the inventive process ‘ca be derived from various sources, The feed water prefer. Feb. 5, 2015 ably treated by the process of the present inveation is desal ‘ated seawater, brackish Water or brine, rated wastewater oF ‘alural water such as ground water, surface water or rainfall, and more preferably desalinated seawater, brackish water oF brine, treated wastewater or ground water [081] According w one embodiment ofthe present inven- tion, the feed water can he pretreated. A pretreatment may be necessary, ein eae the feed waters derived from surface ‘water, groundwater or rainwater, For example, to achieve the drinking Water guidelines the waver need to bereaved trough the use of chemical or physical eclaniques i order o remove pollutants suet as onzanies and undesirable minerals. For ‘example, ozonation can he used as a fist pretreatment sep, followed then by coagulation, flocculation or decantation as a second treatment step. For example, ron salts such as FeCISO, oF FeCl, of aluminum salts sich as AICIy, Al; (S0,); or polysluminium may used 2s Hoeculation agents Te floceulated materials ean be removed from the feed Water, eg, by meuns of sand filters or mul-layered filters [0052] Further water purification processes that may be ‘used to pretreat the feed water are described, eg. in EP 1975 310, BP 1 982 750, EP 1 974 807, or BP 1 974 806, [0083] According wo another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, sea water or brackish water is firstly ‘pumped out of the sea by open ocean intakes or subsurface Jntakes sch as wells and then tundergoes physical pretr ‘sch as screens, sedimendation or san removal pro- cess. Depending on the required water quali, additional ‘recument steps suc as coagulation and focculation may be necessary in order to reduce potential fouling on the mem branes, The pretvated seawater or brackish water may then be distilled, eg, using multiple stage fash, mi biological quality requirements specified by the national juidelines for drinking water. 10062] The slurry can be prepared, for example, wsing a mixer such as a mechanical stirer for dilute slurs, of 2 specie powder-liquid mixing device for more concentrate sumres. Depending on the concentration of the prepared slurry the mixing time may be from 0: t0 30 min, fom 1 10 20min, from 216 10min, orfrom 3 to Smin. According toone ‘emboiment ofthe present invention, the slurry is prepared usinga mixing machine, wherein the mixing machine enables simultaneous mixing and dosing ofthe slurry. Feb. 5, 2015 [063] ‘The water used to prepare the slurry ean be, 8. isilled water, feed water or industrial water. [0064] According fo one embodiment the slurry eompris- ing micronized calcium carbonate is injected directly into a stream of feed water. For example, the shurry ean be injected {nto the feed water stream ata controlled rate by means of a pump communicating wih a storage vessel for the slury. Preferably the slurry may be injected into the feed water stream arate of Ito 10 liter per eubie meter of feed water ‘depending onthe slur concentration. According to another embodiment the slurry comprising micronized caleium car Donate is mixed with the feed water in #resction chamber, eg, using a mixer such as a mechanical timer. According 10 still another embodiment the slurry is injected in a tank receiving the entire Mow of feed wate, [0065] _Accoeding wo one embostiment ofthe present inven- ‘ion, only a partof the feed waters remineralized by injecting the shuny, and subsequently, the remineralized water is blended with untreated feed water Optionally only a part of the food water is remineralized to a high calcium carbonate ‘concentration in comparison with te final target values, and subsequently; the remineralized water is blended with “untreated food water, [0066] According to another embodiment the treated water ‘or part of the treated water is filtered eg, by ur filtration, to Tuner reduce the turbidity level of the remineralized [0067] According w one embodiment ofthe present inven- tion, the shiny is injected im such am amount that complete prising alkalinity, conductivity, calcium concentration, 1, tol dissolved soids, and turbidity of the reminer- lized water, ©) comparing the measured parameter value with a pred temmined parameter value, and 1) providing the amount of injected slurry on the basis of the difference between the measured and the predeter- ‘mined parameter value 20, The process of claim 19, wherein the predetermined parameter Valve i a pH value, wherein the pH value is from 5.5109, preferably from 710 85, 21, Remineralized water obtained by the process of clmn 1 22. "The remineralized water of claim 21, wherein the rem= ineralized water is elected from drinking water, ectestion ‘water such as water for swimming pools, industrial water for process application, irgation Water, or water for aquifer oF ‘well recharge Feb. 5, 2015