Where theworld gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989
-----
Boron Removal Using Ion Exchange
Q. I am looking for detailed information about Boron removal from waste water -- specifically, the borates produced from Borax.
We are thinking along the lines of ion exchange with [specialty] resins to get the level below 10 ppm. All my research so far points to this as the only viable, albeit expensive option. My questions are:
1) what do you do with the boric acid crystals that are precipitated from the regeneration rinsewater?
2) how much does it cost to implement ion exchange filter?
- Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
2002
----
Ed. note: We had to delete the brand names that Paul mentioned because it immediately prompted people to send in page-long sales spiels of why their resin was better than the ones mentioned :-)
People are welcome to advertise here or anywhere, but injecting free advertising into the dialogs can wreck them, so we only post generic technical information, and edit out anything of a commercial nature. Sorry.
"Improved Resins for Removal of Boron from Saline Water"
by Robert R. Grinstead
on
AbeBooks
or
Amazon
(affil links)
"Boron Separation processes"
by Kabay & Bryjak
on
AbeBooks
or
Amazon
(affil links)
A. Both boron selective medias, and also close-looping the boron containing flow in order to remove boron from discharges can be done. There are boron-selective resins that can be used to remove boron to < 1 mg/L, but they are very expensive and have a low capacity.
If the boron is > 25% of the total anion present, then a strong base resin may be a better choice.
It is difficult to crystallize the boric acid as you suggest, because it first needs to be supersaturated. The solubility of boric acid vs. temperature would appear to make this easy, but the low capacity of the boron-selective resin makes this difficult.
Lyle Kirmanconsultant - Cleveland Heights, Ohio
2002
A. Selective resins for boron removal are available. They are extremely efficient and produce a residual boron level of a few ppb in the treated water.
They are applicable for drinking water treatment as well as industrial applications.
François de Dardel- Paris, France
2003
Q. I have same questions and before I found this message I posted a new post. I just finished my PhD and I'm living in Turkey and in Eskisehir (the biggest Boron Ores Mines) and our old technology factories causes waste water problems. I wish to work on removing them using membranes. I'm open for all kind of suggestions
S.Eren O [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]Anadolu University - eskisehir, Turkey
2003
----
Ed. note: Readers who wish to answer, please do so! Those seeking answers may use the search engine to find more than a dozen threads on the subject.
Q. I have two dear friends who have moved to Comptche, CA.
And as they understand it, it is difficult to grow a garden there because of the Boron in the Well Water.
If someone knows the answer for removal or a way around it let me know.
student - Caspar, California, USA
2007
A. Dear Pamela,
Please warn your friends NOT to use the well water as it is contaminated with Boron. Boron has been known to cause low fetal weight and also atrophy of the male and female sexual organs. Please be very careful.
- Malaysia
2007
A. Removing boron from drinking water can be very expensive -- typically out of the realm of affordable for most people. It doesn't respond well to ion exchange or reverse osmosis. The best one might be able to do is use bottled water for drinking, along with contacting your local, State, and Federal regulatory agencies (DOH, State env. dept., EPA, even USGS). Check EPA's website for information to find out if the occurrence might be related to a site or facility. It could be naturally occurring.
Do your friends have the option of connecting to a public water source? Again, I would contact the agencies listed above first and foremost.
consulting - Andersonville, Georgia
March 8, 2011
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread