Ion Exchange Resins for Water Dealkalization

Dealkalization is essential to prevent the various issues (e.g. scaling issues, corrosion risks, low product quality, reduced production efficiency, etc.). By controlling the alkalinity of water, industries can reduce scaling risks, extend equipment lifespan, enhance product quality, comply with regulatory requirements, and lower production and maintenance costs.

Sepurlite supplies various resin types for water dealkalization application. These include SAC, WAC and SBA type-II resin types for different water dealkalization processes. All of these have excellent performance and long service life. You can choose appropriate cation and anion resins according to your specific conditions.

• Strong acid cation exchange resins
• Weak acid cation exchange resins
• Strong base anion exchange resins

There are different types of dealkalization treatment method. Among that, the Chloride cycle dealkalizers are the most popular used method. You can refer to the following introduction and know how the resins work.

Chloride Cycle Dealkalizers

This method employs Strong Base Anion (SBA) exchange resins regenerated with salt or salt-caustic combination (NaOH). As water flows through the resin, carbonate, bicarbonate, and sulfate ions are exchanged for chloride ions, effectively removing alkaline components. It effectively reduces water alkalinity and is suitable for industrial applications, particularly in preventing boiler scaling.

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Weak Acid Dealkalization

This method uses Weak Acid Cation (WAC) resins that exchange hydrogen ions to remove hardness associated with water alkalinity. The water is then degassed to remove carbon dioxide after passing through the resin. It offers significant cost benefits, produces high-quality effluent, and does not introduce additional ions, making it suitable for low-hardness and low-alkalinity water sources.

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Split Stream Dealkalization

This method utilizes two parallel reactors filled with Strong Acid Cation (SAC) ion exchange resins. One reactor operates in sodium form, removing hardness while retaining alkalinity, while the other operates in hydrogen form, removing all alkalinity. Water flow is split between these two reactors, which is then mixed and degassed to remove carbon dioxide. The system is flexible, allowing for adjustments to the effluent alkalinity, with high stability and adaptability suitable for various water sources.

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Chemical and Petrochemical Manufacturing

• Steam and Cooling Systems: Dealkalized water is used in steam boilers and cooling towers to avoid the buildup of scale and to enhance heat transfer efficiency in reactors, distillation columns, and other processing units.
• Catalyst Activation: Dealkalized water is used in the preparation and activation of catalysts in chemical reactions. It prevents interference from minerals or ions that could affect reaction efficiency.

Food and Beverage Processing

• Beverage Production: Dealkalized water is used to prepare soft drinks, bottled water, and juices, where excessive alkalinity can impact the taste, texture, and stability of the product.
• Cleaning and Rinsing: In food processing plants, dealkalized water is used to clean and rinse equipment, ensuring no mineral residue interferes with product quality.

Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing

• Ultrapure Water Systems: Dealkalized water is a key component in ultrapure water (UPW) systems used to clean semiconductor wafers, circuit boards, and electronic components without leaving contaminants.
• Cooling Systems: Dealkalized water is used in cooling systems for sensitive electronics manufacturing equipment to prevent scaling and corrosion.

Metal and Mining Industry

• Boiler Water Treatment: In mining and metal processing plants, dealkalized water is used in boilers to avoid scale formation and corrosion, ensuring smooth operation in high-temperature systems.
• Cooling Systems: Dealkalized water is also used in cooling systems for machinery and reactors to prevent deposits that could impair heat transfer efficiency.

Paper and Pulp Industry

• Steam and Cooling Systems: Dealkalized water is used to prevent scaling in boilers and cooling towers, which is critical in ensuring efficient steam generation and heat dissipation during the pulping and paper-making processes.
• Chemical Preparation: Dealkalized water is used in the preparation of chemicals, such as in bleaching and dyeing processes, to avoid reactions with unwanted ions.

Textile Industry

• Dyeing and Finishing: Dealkalized water is used in dyeing, washing, and finishing processes to prevent interference with dyes and chemicals, ensuring consistent color and texture in fabrics.
• Boiler Water Treatment: Used in boilers for steam generation to avoid scaling and extend equipment life.