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DEMINERALIZATION

Water Demineralization Basics


Evolution of Ion Exchange Regeneration
Technology

UPCORE™ Mono
90’s
UPCORE™
80’s
C.C.R. Packed Bed
Upflow
70’s
C.C.R. Block
• Water
• Air
Co-current • Inert 60’s
Systems
50’s

Time Evolution
Major Demineralizer Systems
LEGEND
SAC-WBA-DT
SAC - Strong Acid Cation Unit
WBA - Weak Base Anion Unit
DT - Decarbonator Tower
1 SBA - Strong Base Anion
MB - Mixed Bed Unit

SAC-DT-SBA

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Major Demineralizer Systems
LEGEND
SAC - Strong Acid Cation Unit
SAC-WBA-DT-SBA
WBA - Weak Base Anion Unit
DT - Decarbonator Tower
3 SBA - Strong Base Anion
MB - Mixed Bed Unit

SAC-DT-SBA-SAC-SBA

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Major Demineralizer Systems
LEGEND
SAC - Strong Acid Cation Unit
WBA - Weak Base Anion Unit
MB
DT - Decarbonator Tower
5 SBA - Strong Base Anion
MB - Mixed Bed Unit

SAC-DT-MB

6
Major Demineralizer Systems
LEGEND
SAC-WBA-DT-MB SAC - Strong Acid Cation Unit
WBA - Weak Base Anion Unit

7 DT - Decarbonator Tower
SBA - Strong Base Anion
MB - Mixed Bed Unit

SAC-DT-SBA-MB

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Water Demineralization Technology
Basics

Co-Current Counter-Current
Raw Regenerant Raw Blocking
Water Chemical Water Flow

Waste

Resin Resin Resin Resin


Bed Bed Bed Bed

Product Regeneration Product Regenerant


Waste Chemical
Service Regeneration Service Regeneration
Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle
Water Demineralization Basics

Raw
Water

Ca2+

Mg2+ NORMAL SERVICE CYCLE

K+

Na+
H+
Product
Water Demineralization Basics
Regenerant
Acid

H+
CO - CURRENT

REGENERATION

Ca2+
Mg2+
K+
Na+
Regeneration
Waste
Water Demineralization Basics

Co-Current Systems
Advantages
 Proven process
 Reliable
 Resin bed cleaned every cycle

Disadvantages
 High chemical cost
 Lower water quality
 Lower productivity
 High wastewater generation
Water Demineralization Basics

Regeneration
Waste

Ca2+
Mg2+ COUNTER - CURRENT
K+
REGENERATION
Na+

H+

Regenerant
Acid
Water Demineralization Basics

Counter-Current Systems
Advantages
 Optimized chemical cost
 High productivity
 High water quality

Disadvantages
 Can be complicated
 High Wastewater
Generation
Water Demineralization Basics
Counter-Current Systems
Blocked Systems

 Air hold down


 Water hold down
 Inert mass block
Water Demineralization Basics
Counter-Current Systems
Blocked Systems
Service Cycle Regeneration Cycle
Raw Block
Water Air / Water

Freeboard

Regeneration
Middle Collector Waste

Resin Bed Resin Bed

Product Regenerant
Chemical
Water Demineralization Basics
Counter-Current Systems
Blocked Systems
Advantages Disadvantages
 High chemical efficiency  High capital cost
 Excellent water quality  Complex regeneration
 Prone to operational upsets
 In-situ backwash
 Requires a middle distributor
 Prone to mechanical failure
 Backwash every 10-15 cycles
 Requires extra time / labor
 Double or triple regeneration
needed
Demineralization - Trouble Shooting
Commonly Seen Performance Problems:
1) Short Capacity:
-Faulty Flow Instrument / High Service Flow Rate
- Resin Loss
-Inadequate Regeneration
-Variation In Feed Water Quality
2) Adverse Change In Treated Water Quality:
-Change In Feed Water Quality
-Change In The Regenerant Used (And/OR Impurity)
-Resin Fouling
-Mechanical Failure
3) High Pressure Drop And/Or Reduced Flow Rate:
-Accumulation of Debris On The Resin Bed
-Broken Or Fine Resins
-Precipitation of Calcium Sulfate or Other Salts

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