Abstract The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for upflow regeneration of ion exchange resins in a regeneration zone having a regenerant inlet and a rinse water inlet below the regenerant inlet. The carrying out the method, the introduction of regenerant and rinse water into the zone is terminated, and resin is moved downwardly within the zone while exhausted resin is introduced at the top. The introduction of regenerant and rinse water is then resumed. In accordance with the invention, the introduction of regenerant and rinse water is terminated and/or resumed at predetermined time intervals with respect to one another. The time interval is regulated to ensure that there is no substantial amount of entrained regenerant below the regenerant introduction point at the time that delivery of regenerant is resumed. The absence of entrained regenerant below the regenerant introduction point ensures that none of the resin will receive an excessive dose of regenerant when regenerant introduction is resumed. The apparatus of the invention includes timer means for starting and stopping the flow of regenerant and rinse water at different times, and at predetermined intervals with relationship to one another.
Inventors
👤 Leo F Ryan
👤 Dennis M O'-Brien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 21:07
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J49/00; B01J49/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said introduction of said regenerant and said rinse water are terminated at the same time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said introduction of rinse water is terminated a given time period after terminating introduction of said regenerant, said given time period being sufficient to permit the lower level of regenerant entrained in said resin to move downwardly past said regenerant inlet when said resin is moved downwardly in said regeneration zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said resin is cation exchange resin and said regenerant is sulfuric acid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for regenerating ion exchange resin comprising: the sequential steps of introducing exhausted ion exchange resin into an upper portion of a regeneration zone; introducing a regenerant into said zone at a regenerant inlet point; introducing rinse water into said zone simultaneously with said regenerant introduction at a water inlet point below said regenerant inlet point; periodically terminating said introduction of said regenerant into said zone; terminating said introduction of rinse water into said zone a given time period after terminating introduction of said regenerant; moving said resin downwardly within said zone and introducing exhausted resin into an upper portion thereof while said introduction of said regenerant and said rinse water is terminated; and resuming the introduction of regenerant and water into said zone, said given time period being sufficient to prevent entrained regenerant from being carried downwardly by said resin past the level of said regenerant inlet point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said resin is cation exchange resin and said regenerant is sulfuric acid.