Boron Removal from Ion Exchange Regeneration Solutions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion exchange system regeneration liquids from flue gas desulfurization wastewater treatment processes contain boron, which requires effective removal to prevent environmental contamination, but existing methods, such as acid regeneration, generate additional waste and are inefficient in boron removal.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a borate precipitator and coagulator to form borate precipitates, followed by anionic polymer addition and filtration to separate boron from the regeneration solution, or using a caustic material and evaporation to form boron salts, which are then crystallized to remove residual water, effectively addressing boron removal in ion exchange system regeneration solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acid regeneration is used to restore ion exchange resin, then the resin is regenerated to its initial stripping capability, but additional waste liquid is generated containing boron
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste liquid containing boron into a beneficial process by adding borate precipitator and coagulant that transform dissolved boron into solid precipitates. These precipitates are then easily separable through filtration, converting a harmful liquid waste into a manageable solid waste that can be disposed of more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of boron in the waste liquid by adjusting pH, temperature, and adding chemical reagents (borate precipitator and coagulant). These parameter changes cause boron to transition from dissolved state to precipitated solid state, enabling effective separation and reducing the volume of liquid waste.
2Productivity
If conventional boron removal methods are used, then boron is removed from FGD wastewater, but the regeneration process creates additional waste requiring treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waste treatment process into distinct functional zones: a precipitation zone where boron is converted to solid precipitates, a separation zone where solids are separated from liquid, and a filtration zone that removes residual suspended solids. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall process control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces borate precipitator and coagulant as intermediary substances that facilitate boron removal. These intermediaries transform the difficult-to-remove dissolved boron into easily separable solid precipitates, acting as a bridge between the complex waste liquid and the desired clean effluent.
3Manufacturing precision
If ion exchange resin is used to strip boron, then boron concentration is reduced to less than 5 mg/l, but the resin requires periodic regeneration with acid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the waste liquid with borate precipitator and coagulant before the main separation process. This preliminary chemical transformation ensures that boron is converted to solid precipitates in advance, making the subsequent separation more efficient and reducing the overall treatment time.
Data Source
AI summary
A process removes boron from ion exchange system regeneration solution including introducing a borate precipitator into the regeneration solution in a precipitation zone to generate borate precipitate; introducing a coagulator into the regeneration solution that coagulates solids and/or borate precipitate generated by the borate precipitator and absorbs boron into the solids; introducing the regeneration solution, solids and borate precipitate into a separation zone; introducing anionic polymer into the regeneration solution adjacent to or in the separation zone to increase the propensity of borate precipitate and solids to separate from the regeneration solution; and filtering the regeneration solution to remove residual suspended solids from the regeneration solution. Another process removes boron from ion exchange system regeneration solution including introducing a caustic material into the regeneration solution; heating the regeneration solution to a selected temperature; introducing heated regeneration solution into an evaporation zone to remove at least a substantial portion of water from the regeneration solution and thereby form a slurry comprising boron salt(s); and introducing the slurry into a crystallizer zone to remove residual water.