Abstract

This paper develops a procedure whereby breakthrough curves obtained experimentally for ion exchange process in fixed bed ion

mixed exchangers during water demineralization, can be used to characterize quantitatively and optimize the ion exchange

process. In this regard, based on breakthrough curves there were developed statistical models that correlate three important factors

which influence the process (superficial fluid velocity through the layer, changing layer height, operating temperature), the

volume of water processed until breakthrough point appears, and the effectiveness of using resin. An experimental plant was

designed and built to laboratory-pilot scales for water demineralization with online monitoring of temperature, flow and dynamics

concentration of calcium ions in effluent. The experimental setup contains ion exchange alternative layers: Purolite A400 +

Purolite C100. The experimental data were acquired based an experimental program. The process factors selected were: the flow

rate of solution through the exchanger layer, the total volume of ion exchangers and working temperature and the responses of the

process during the saturation and efficiency ion exchange process, as evidenced by the volume of demineralized water obtained in

each of the cases considered. The system responses during the ion exchange process were determined from the breakthrough

curves, and then processed according to the specific algorithm of the experimental program. A mathematical model was proposed,

based on the piston flow model with axial dispersion in the liquid phase, having the parameters estimated based on experiments.