Reactive & Functional Polymers, Vol.35, No.1, 55-73, 1997
An evaluation of mass-transfer coefficients for new and used ion-exchange resins
Mass-transfer coefficients for cation and anion exchange were determined for new and used condensate-polishing resins in use currently at two power plants. Experiments were performed over a concentration range from 65 to 3240 ppb sodium and 100 to 5000 ppb chloride at superficial velocities from 0.015 to 0.033 m/s in both mono and mixed beds. Using a simple industry-standard experimental technique, overall mass-transfer coefficients were obtained in the range from 1.2 x 10(-4) m/s to 2.5 x 10(-4) m/s. Fouled resins had coefficients 30 to 40% less than new resins. The method used to calculate these mass-transfer coefficients is compared with alternative data treatments that separate film and particle rate steps. Observations are compared with literature data.