Removal of boron from seawater by selective ion exchange resins

• Published in: Reactive & functional polymers 2007-12, Vol.67 (12), p.1643-1650
• Main Authors: Kabay, Nalan, Sarp, Sarper, Yuksel, Mithat, Arar, Özgür, Bryjak, Marek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Boron removal; Boron-selective ion exchange resin; Desalination; Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Ion exchange; Pollution; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Seawater; Technology of polymers; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 1381-5148
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2007.07.033

Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination process is an efficient and reliable membrane technology for the production of drinking water from seawater. However, some serious limitations had recently been discovered during the field practice. Boron problem is one of them. According to the WHO regulations, the boron concentration should be lower than 0.5 mg/L in drinking water. It is still difficult to reduce boron level to 0.5 mg/L or lower with the conventional reverse osmosis desalination plants equipped with commercially available RO membranes. Therefore, more efficient separation technologies are needed for boron removal. In this study, the performance of the boron-selective ion exchange resins containing N-methyl glucamine groups, as Diaion CRB 02 and Dowex XUS 43594.00, have been tested for boron removal from model seawater. The kinetic performances of these resins were compared. The kinetic data obtained were evaluated using Lagergren pseudo-first-order and second-order models. Also, the process kinetics were predicted by using diffusion models. In addition, column-mode tests have been carried out for boron removal from model seawater.