Comparison of several polymeric sorbents for selective boron removal from reverse osmosis permeate

Fibrous sorbents based on polypropylene and viscose fibers grafted with styrene or glycidyl methacrylate and functionalized with N-methylglucamine were compared with classical polystyrene/DVB bead sorbent with N-methylglucamine functional group. Tests were carried out in dynamic column mode. Model solution of reverse osmosis permeate containing 1.5 mg/L of boron was pumped through 5 mL of sorbent packed in glass column. Fibrous sorbents showed much faster sorption kinetics than bead sorbent, tolerating high specific flow-rates. Compared to bead sorbent, boron regeneration profiles of fibrous sorbents were narrower and they could be successfully regenerated with more diluted hydrochloric acid.