SIMULTANEOUS HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER

Ch.E 402
Saqib Javed

Ion Exchange
(Introduction)

Geankoplis, CH# 12.

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Ion
Exchange
It is an exchange of ions
between an electrolyte
solution and a complex.
The process involves
chemical reactions between
ions in solution and ions in
an insoluble solid phase.

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 In Ion-Exchange process, electro-neutrality is
maintained; solid releases replacement ions to
the solution.
If the exchanging ions are positively charged,
the ion exchanger is termed cationic, and
anionic if they are negatively charged.

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 Applications
Water Treatment
Water Softening
Removal of nitrate and natural organic matter.
Recover components from an aqueous
effluent before it is discharged.
Ion exchange chromatography is used for
chemical analysis and separation of ions.

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 Ion-Exchange Resin-Zeolites
Zeolites are the first ion-exchange materials.
Naturally occurring-porous sands.
Zeolites are the framework containing
alumino-silicates.

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 Chemical Reaction-water softening

Ion exchange is a reversible process.

It can be regenerated with desirable ions by
washing with an excess of these ions.

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 Equilibrium Relations

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 Magnitude of K
The magnitude of the equilibrium constant indicates the
extent to which a reaction will proceed.

K is large K is Small
Product Reactant
conc. Is Conc. Is
large greater.

Forward Backward
reaction reaction.

http://www.mikeblaber.org/oldwine/chm1046/notes/ChmEquil/AppConst/AppConst.htm
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Equilibrium constant, K, will give following
information:
The direction a reaction at equilibrium.
Concentrations of reactants and products at
equilibrium

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 Self Study

Topic: Coulson Vol 2, CH # 18, section 18.2

(Ion-exchange resins)

Study the chemical reactions for the formation of

styrene based cationic and anionic exchangers.

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 Ion Exchange
Equipment

Coulson Vol 2. CH # 18
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 Equipment Selection---Basis
Process
Disruption

Resin Beads Equipment

Method of Resin
Diameter with Stirrer
Regeneration

Cost
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 Fixed Bed
Vertical cylindrical vessels
Resin is supported on grid fine Support
Liquid distributors are used at top. the resin

Allow water
passage

Even Flow

Regeneration is done; when break point of

bed is achieved
Max. working
capacity
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 Resin Regeneration
Regenerating liquid is introduced in
countercurrent mode.
Bed end >>>> controls effluent condition.
Fine impure particles may accumulate in the
bed; they need to be removed.
Back
washing

Re-arranging the
components of a
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Industrial Example---Di-mineralization

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 Moving Bed

Resin
Compartment

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 Fundamental Concepts
General equilibrium reaction:
n[R-A+] + Bn+ nR-Bn+ +nA+

K A

A R B
n
n
n

B n
RA B
n n

Apparent equilibrium constant or selectivity

coefficient
Not a true equilibrium constant because it is
not based on thermodynamics

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 Selectivity
Preference of the ion exchange material for one ion
over another
Selectivity coefficient

K BA
A R B

S n
n
R

RA B

R
n
S
where S and R denote the solution and resin
concentrations, respectively.
= 1 no preference for A+ over Bn+
A
K
B > 1 Bn+ is preferred over A+
A
K B < 1 A+ is preferred over Bn+
A
K B 18
 Selectivity
Ions of higher valence preferred over ones
with lower valence
Fe3+>Mg2+>Na+; PO43->SO42->NO3-
Increases with decreasing hydrated radius
and increasing atomic number
Ca2+>Mg2+>Be2+; K+>Na+>Li+
Decreases with increasing crosslinking (for
large molecules)
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 Selectivity

Advantages of choosing a resin with high

affinity for the targeted ion:
Sharp breakthrough curve
Shorter ion exchange column
Greater flow rate applied to column
Disadvantages
Higher regenerant concentration required

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 Ion exchange capacity
Total capacity (theoretical or ultimate
capacity): measure of the total capacity of
ions which theoretically can be exchanged
per unit mass or per unit volume of resin
(meq/L, eq/L, meq/g)

Operating capacity: measure of the useful

capacity of the resin for exchanging ions
from a solution flowing through a fixed bed
of resin particles under specified conditions.
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 Operating capacity
Depends on
Flowrate through column
Bed depth
Selectivity coefficient
Exchange ion size
Amount of regenerant used (extent of
regeneration)
Composition and concentration of feed solutions
Temperature
Desired quality of product water
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LIMITING OPERATING CAPACITY
General equilibrium reaction:
n[R-A+] + Bn+ nR-Bn+ +nA+

K BAn
A R B
n
n
n

RA B
n n

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 Limiting Operating Capacity
A similar expression can be written for anions

(5-6)

For the cation exchange of calcium and sodium expressed, the equilibrium constant
would be expressed as

(5-7)
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Limiting Operating Capacity
(5-8)

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 Limiting Operating Capacity

A combination of equation 5-7 and 5-8

(5-15)

Separation factors for commercially available strong acid cation exchange resins are given
in Table 5-1 .
Rearranging Equation 5-8, yields to maximum capacity of resins:

(5-16)

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Limiting Operating Capacity

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Example 5-1

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