Abstract

The basic knowledge about the ion exchange process is presented in the first section: 1) the mass equation is valid; 2) we distinguish between cation and anion exchangers and between strong, medium, and weak acidic and alkaline ion exchanger; 3) the capacity of the ion exchanger is expressed either as eqv/L or as the number of bed volumes that can be tratee before saturation; 4) the selectivity coefficient is defined, and its applicability is shown; and 5) possibilities of regeneration and recovery of the removed ions. The second section gives a short overview of the application of the ion exchange process for treatment of water and wastewater: for removal of calcium, nitrate, ammonium, and metal ions in general, and particularly, heavy metal ions, including silver, mercury, and proteins.