The equilibria and kinetics of certain ion exchange systems

Abstract

Bibliography: p. 218-224.Fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce in the modern technological world, and thus alternative sources of potable water must be found. One possible source of water of relatively low total dissolved salt content is municipal effluent. This has been successfully desalinated using continuous countercurrent ion exchange systems, the design and structure of which depend largely on the resin types used, and in particular on their equilibrium and kinetic properties. In recent years new and improved resins, such as macroporous and high density resins, have come onto the market, and the vital properties of these have not been well investigated. With this in mind, the H⁺, Na⁺ and Ca⁺² equilibria and kinetics of both a gel type strong acid cation resin (Cation Fort) and a macroporous strong acid cation resin (Zerolit 625) were investigated and compared, as well as the Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and artificial COD kinetics of a macroporous normal density weak base, anion resin (Zerolit MPH) and a high density macroporous weak base anion resin (Senbrix). The COD kinetic tests were performed using a conductiometric apparatus, while all the inorganic ion studies were performed on a fractional sampling apparatus. The equilibrium isotherms were obtained using batch tests