Determination of physical and chemical parameters of water before and after ion exchange treatment

Abstract

In accordance with consumer requirements, the water must be adequately purified, and the
corresponding parameters within the defined values. Various methods are used for this
purpose, of which the ion exchange method can be highlighted as the simplest, most efficient
and economically profitable. Ion exchange is a reversible process of ion exchange between a
solid phase and an electrolyte solution. The ion exchanger is a macromolecular insoluble
material that has chemically bound electrified groups and mobile, oppositely charged ions that
compensate for this electrification. Ion exchangers are usually used in the form of compact or
granular beds that fill the column through which the solution with the ions to be exchanged
flows.
They usually contain phenolic, carboxylic, sulfonic amino and other groups, which is why the
treatment also results in decarbonization, softening, demineralization and denitrification of
water. As the assessment of water quality is based on the most significant physico-chemical
parameters, the aim of the work is the analysis of drinking water before and after treatment
with an ion exchanger. For this purpose, organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters were
analyzed: pH values, electrical conductivity, m-alkalinity, p-alkalinity, water hardness,
organic matter content, chloride content, iron and manganese content. An ion exchanger based
on resin was used, which after use was regenerated by washing with NaOH solution.
The results of the analysis showed that all the values ​​of the analyzed parameters are in
accordance with the Rulebook on the Healthiness of Drinking Water (Official Gazette of
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina No. 40/10), and that the water treatment was
effectively carried out, which classified the water as hard water and classified it as soft water.
Key words: water, ion exchange, physical-chemical parameters; water treatment.