COUNTER-CURRENT PROCESS FOR THE RAPID REGENERATION OF ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS IN AN UNRESTRAINED BED

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA method of regenerating an ion exchanger which is used totreat a solution introduced to the ion exchanger in a downwardcharging direction. The ion exchanger contains a non-constrainedbed of ion exchange material in the form of ion exchange granulesand has a concentration profile through the ion exchange materialafter solution has been introduced to the ion exchanger in thecharging direction. The method of regenerating comprises passinga regenerating solution upwardly through the non-constrained bedof ion exchange material in an intermittent flow mannercomprising an alternating up flow of regenerating solutionfollowed by a down flow of liquid in a direction opposite to theup flow. The duration and velocity of the up flow ofregenerating solution is sufficient to lift and generate aperceptible mixing of ion exchange materials in approximately thebottom portion of the ion exchange bed, with the down flow beingsufficient to seat the bed very rapidly and terminate mixing.