Adsorptive Removal Processes with Polymeric Resins

Selective removal of nonionic or weakly anionic organics from aqueous waste or process streams can be achieved by adsorptive processes with polymeric resins (Gusler et al., 1993). Polymeric resins can be easily regenerated in situ and they have been found to have sorption capacities which approach or exceed that of activated carbon in some cases. Polymeric resins are available in a range of different functionalities and thus can be used for selective removal from multicomponent systems. Unfortunately, the feasibility for specific pollutant removal in multicomponent situations cannot be predicted from the existing body of knowledge. Information is also lacking on the dynamics of multi-solute adsorption onto commercial polymeric resins and regeneration in packed columns. Although there are now several methods for predicting and correlating multi-solute adsorption from aqueous systems, to date, the various prediction and correlation methods have not been rigorously tested for polymeric resins with well defined multicomponent mixtures containing more than two components, in part due to the lack of experimental data. Moreover, information on resin regeneration is scarce. The present project focuses on a systematic evaluation of the dynamic adsorption/regeneration of polymeric resins for removal and concentration of target solutes from aqueous systems. Both commercial polymeric resins and novel ceramic-grafted polymer composite resins are being studied. The results of the study will provide much needed information for the scale up of polymer-based adsorption processes for both in-plant recovery and recycle and for remediation strategies.

References:
Browne T. And Y. Cohen, "Aqueous Phase Adsorption of Trichloroethylene and Chloroform by Polymeric Resins and Activated Carbon," Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 29, 1338-1345 (1990).

Browne, T. and Y. Cohen, "Polymer-Grafted Silica: A Screening System for Polymeric Adsorption Resin Development," Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 32, 716-725 (1993).

Gusler, M. G., T. Browne and Yoram Cohen, "Sorption of Organics from Aqueous Solution onto Polymeric Resins," Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 32, 2727-2735 (1993).

Gusler, G. M. and Y. Cohen, "Swelling Equilibrium of Higly Crosslinked Polymeric Resins," Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 33, 2345-2357 (1994).