Parametric studies on the performance of cation exchange for the ammonium removal

Ion exchange performance to remove ammonium in drinking water was studied experimentally in batch and continuous operation systems under the various conditions. Data were collected using commercially available strongacid cationexchange resins of Na+ and H+ types. The performance was evaluated using equilibrium concentrations for the batch system or the effluent concentration histories for the continuous column system as a function of time or the solution volume passed through the experimental column until resins were exhausted. With high temperature or low initial feed concentration, ammonium removal characteristics of the batch system increase. At the solution concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/L of NH4+-N and the temperatures of 15, 25, and 35 ‡C, the selectivity coefficients of resin were determined between 1.38 and 1.43 for Na+ type resin, and 3.22 and 3.47 for H+ type resin. The selectivity coefficient was correlated as a function of temperature using Kraus-Raridon equation. The breakthrough curves obtained from the continuous column operation give some results; i) with small column diameter or large column height, ii) with low initial feed concentration, iii) with low volumetric flow rate, or iv) with high solution temperature, the ammonium removal for the typical macroporous type resin increase. The results of this study could be scaled up and used as a design tool for the waterpurification systems of the drinking water treatment processes. This paper was presented at The 5th International Symposium on Separation Technology-Korea and Japan held at Seoul between August 19 and 21, 1999.