Predicting the dynamics and performance of selective polymeric resins in a fixed bed system for boron removal

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the boron removal performance of two selective resins: N-methyl-d-glucamine modified poly(styrene) based polymer (VBC-NMG) and the iminodipropylene glycol functionalized polymer (GMA-PVC). The effect of contact time on adsorption capacity was investigated in batch scale experiments. The adsorption kinetic data were fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model. Fixed bed column experiments were conducted at different flow rates. The breakthrough profile of VBC-NMG resin was found sharper than that of GMA-PVC. Column data were described using the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. The breakthrough curve prediction by the Thomas model was found to be very satisfactory for both resins. Applicability of selective resins to real wastewater obtained from mining industry was examined. The residual boron concentration in solution was reduced from 545 to less than 0.5. mg/L by the combination of precipitation-adsorption processes. Novel boron selective resins seem promising for practical uses as they could be used for more than eight cycles of recycling without any significant change in adsorption capacity.