Nitrate Removal by Mixed-Bed Ion Exchange

Mixed-bed ion exchange (MBIE) performance to remove nitrate in surface and underground water was studied experimentally in continuous operation system under the various conditions. Data were collected using commercially available strong-base anion- exchange resin of OH type and strong-acid cation-exchange resin of H+ type. The breakthrough curves, obtained through the continuous column system and plotted as the ratio of effluent to influent concentration versus solution volume passed through the experimental column, gave some results about the effect of the mixed-bed ion exchange. The breakthrough curves verified that the mixed-bed ion exchange showed better performance than single-bed ion exchange by using cation-to-anion resin ratio of 2: 1, 1: 1, and 1: 2. More cation resin showed better anion exchange performance than less cation resin with same amount of anion resin in the column. The effect of system parameter such as feed concentration was added. The results of this study could be scaled up and used as a design tool for the water-purification system of the drinking water treatment processes.