全规模软化厂污泥的光谱和热数据显示，钙和镁分别以方解石和无定形水合氢氧化物的形式沉淀。镁离子没有加入到钙晶格中形成镁方解石。扫描电子显微照片表明，只有碳酸钙沉淀物具有明确的晶体结构。晶体尺寸分布（CSD）向更大尺寸的转移可能是由于更大的方解石晶体，而不是氢氧化镁引起的晶体尺寸变化。污泥的沉降速度与CSD有关。使用上流式接触澄清器可获得更高的通量。包括46个参考文献、表格和图表。

Spectroscopic and thermal data on sludges from full-scale softening plants showed calcium and magnesium precipitated as calcite and an amorphous hydrated hydroxide, respectively. Magnesium ions were not incorporated into the calcium lattice to form a magnesian calcite. Scanning electron photomicrographs indicated that only the calcium carbonate precipitate has a well-defined crystal structure. The shift of the crystal size distribution (CSD) to greater sizes may be due to bigger calcite crystals rather than to crystal size changes caused by the magnesium hydroxide. The settling rate of the sludges in related to the CSD. Higher fluxes were achieved with an upflow contact clarifier. Includes 46 references, tables, figures.