Ion exchange
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Ion exchange is a process for water purification in which ions are exchanged between a solution and an ion exchanger, a non-aqueous solid or gel. Typical ion exchangers are ion exchange resins, zeolite, montmorillonite, clay, and humus. Ion exchangers are either cation exchangers for positively charged cations or anion exchangers for negatively charged anions. There are also exchangers called mixed beds which have anion and cation exchanging resins within them. Ion exchange is a reversible process and the ion exchanger can be regenerated or loaded by washing with an excess of the ions to be exchanged.
Ion exchange is a method widely used in household and industrial water purifications to produce soft water. This is accomplished by exchanging calcium Ca2+ and magnesium Mg2+ cations against sodium Na+ or hydrogen H+ cations.
Ion exchange chromatography is a chromatographical method that is widely used in biochemistry to separate charged molecules such as proteins. Ion exchange is also applied in water softeners.
Ion Exchange can be used in the food & beverage, hydrometallurgical, metals finishing, chemical & petrochemical, pharmaceutical, sugar & sweeteners, ground & potable water, nuclear, softening & industrial water, semiconducter, power, and a host of other industries.
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