Which Is Better to Cool Liquids: Hard Water or Soft Water?
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Hard Water
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Hard water contains magnesium and calcium ions. Hard water is rich in mineral impurities such as magnesium and calcium, which raise the boiling point of water, causing it to absorb more heat without boiling over. As temperature increases, however, these minerals form precipitates, which reduce the cooling ability of water or clog the pipes through which water provides cooling.
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Soft Water
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Soft water has high thermal conductivity. Soft water has less calcium or magnesium content, boils at 100 degrees C and has high thermal conductivity and heat capacity. These properties enable soft water to cool other liquids effectively because it transfers heat by convection and does not form precipitates upon boiling.
Bottom Line
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Convection is the process by which fluids cool. Fluids cool by convection, a process of heat transfer by movement of molecules. Impurities such as magnesium and calcium that cause hardness in water do not optimize thermal properties of water and over a long period result in decreased cooling. That makes soft water a better choice to cool liquids.
References
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