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Introduction
In many plants, regulations require that the waste produced by regeneration of ion exchangers is
neutral. Mixed regeneration waste is considered neutral when the pH value of the waste is
between 6 and 9.
By adjusting the quantity of each regenerant, a neutral regeneration waste can often be obtained.
The way to calculate excess acid and excess alkalinity is not straightforward, because Na2CO3
and Na2SiO3 obtained in the spent caustic are also effective to neutralise excess acid. They cause
a buffering effect, which eventually provides some flexibility in the adjustment of neutralisation.
Self-neutralised waste
This case occurs often when the water This case occurs often when the water is
treatment system does not include a degasifier. degassed, and when there is a double stage
Before neutralisation, the situation is: anion exchanger (WBA + SBA). Before
neutralisation, the situation is:
Ex(OH) > Ex(H)
Ex(H) > Ex(OH) + CO2 + SiO2
In this case, acid must be added until
In this case, caustic must be added until
Ex(H) = Ex(OH)
Ex(OH) + CO2 + SiO2 = Ex(H)
(or slightly more).
(or slightly more).
Capacity is increased
If you add caustic or acid to neutralise the spent regenerants and pass this additional quantity
through the anion or cation resin bed, you increase the operating capacity of the resin. So you
can reduce the resin volume. As a consequence, you must re-calculate the excesses and possibly
adjust the regenerant quantities once again.
When adding an acidic effluent to a waste containing Na2CO3, excess CO2 is produced, and
vigorous aeration is required to release it into the atmosphere.