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Ion Exchange

In ion exchange processes, ions are removed from a solution by an ion exchanger, which is typically an insoluble solid (like charcoal) or gel; exchangers may include synthetic organic resins, zeolite, montmorillonite, clay, or humus as well. Each exchanger attracts either positively or negatively charged ions, never both, so in order to eliminate all ions two ion exchange processes with two exchangers must take place. It is a reversible process.

Ion exchange is frequently used by both industrial and home water purification systems to create soft water, eliminating calcium and magnesium ions by using sodium and hydrogen ions. For the process to work properly, the ion exchange substance must be cleaned or replaced regularly; it will only work as long as ions do not fill all the oppositely-charged spots in the purifier.

Ion exchange is also used in chromatography in order to separate charged molecules, like proteins or other organic macromolecules.

Web Resources On Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange Reactions

Book Resources On Ion Exchange

Mass Transfer and Kinetics of Ion Exchange by Liberti & Helfferich (Eds.)
Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction by Marcus & SenGupta (Eds.)

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