MASS-TRANSFER MECHANISMS FOR ZEOLITE ION-EXCHANGE IN WASTE-WATER TREATMENT

In spite of the increasing commercial use of zeolites for binary and multicomponent ion exchange, understanding of the basic mass-transfer processes associated with multicomponent zeolite systems is quite limited. This study evaluates Na-Ca-Mg-Cs-Sr ion exchange from an aqueous solution using a chabazite zeolite. Mass-transfer coefficients are determined from experimental batch-reactor data for binary and multicomponent systems. The experimental data indicate that diffusion through the microporous zeolite crystals is the primary diffusional resistance. Macropore diffusion also significantly contributes to the mass-transfer resistance. Various mass-transfer models are compared with the experimental data to determine values for intraparticle diffusivities. Effective diffusivities obtained accurately predict experimental data using a variety of models. Only the model accounting for micropore and macropore diffusion occurring in series accurately predict multicomponent data using diffusivities from the binary system. Liquid and surface diffusion both contribute to macropore diffusion. Surface and micropore diffusivities are concentration-dependent for the system of interest.