M.Sc. / The prevalence of natural organic matter (NOM) in water remains a huge challenge for water treatment companies and municipalities. NOM, however, is not a stand-alone problem as it affects water quality in many ways. NOM is largely responsible for the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) via its interaction with disinfectants during water disinfection. It is implicated for the undesirable colour, taste and odour of water and NOM even inhibits precipitation precursors which form the backbone of drinking water treatment. There is therefore no question that NOM, which is either a precursor to or direct cause of the problems highlighted above, should be considered as one of the critical design parameters to be considered for drinking water treatment. In our laboratories, research that involves the use of cyclodextrin (CD) polyurethanes for the removal of organic pollutants from water has been extensively investigated, and the CD polyurethanes have demonstrated the ability to effectively remove the organic species from water at low (ppb) concentrations. CDs, which are cyclic oligomers consisting of glucopyranosyl units linked together through α-1,4 glycosidic linkages, behave like molecular hosts. They are capable of forming inclusion complexes with guest molecules and hence can be utilised for the removal of organic contaminants from water. Their solubility in water, however, limits their application in the removal of organic contaminants from water. This limitation is easily resolved by polymerising the CDs into water-insoluble polymers with bifunctional linkers such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). In this study, CD polyurethanes and ion exchange resins were used for the removal of NOM and possibly its DBPs from water. This study first investigated the local NOM source to establish its type and character, hence the study involved the characterization of the bulk water samples and fractionating the NOM using ion exchange resins for further characterization. The water samples were found to consist mainly of humic substances in the form of hydrophobic NOM, with the hydrophilic basic (HpiB) fraction being the most abundant NOM fraction in all samples. Trihalomethanes (THMs) were used as a representative of DBPs in this vii study. THMs formation studies of the individual NOM fractions indicated that all six NOM fractions were found to form THMs but in varying proportions. The HpiB fraction was found to be the most reactive precursor fraction for THMs formation. The ozonation process was also independently evaluated for its ability to remove the NOM fractions from water. Ozonation was found not to be very effective at NOM removal since it only resulted in a 12% overall decrease of the NOM in the water samples. The CD polyurethanes, when used alone, were also not very effective at removing the NOM fractions from water (maximum of 33% NOM removal). On the other hand, the combination method (i.e. the use of CD polyurethanes and ozonation for NOM removal) resulted in a good capability of the CD polyurethanes at decreasing some NOM fractions in water as evidenced by a 73% and 88% decrease of the HpiB and hydrophilic acid (HpiA) fractions, respectively. The 73% reduction of the HpiB fraction demonstrates a great success of the combination approach employed herein, as this study reports this fraction as the most reactive precursor fraction for THM formation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of typical cation and anion exchange resins to remove Escherichia coli from water. The objective was to obtain a method of purifying slightly polluted, private well water supplies. The investigation consisted of passing water samples, inoculated with known concentrations of Escherichia coli, through resin columns of known volumes. The resins were subjected to varying Escherichia coli concentrations and cycles of regeneration. The results indicated the anion exchange resin, Amberlite IRA-400, possessed the highest potential for removing Escherichia coli. / Master of Science

A study was conducted to evaluate the sorption characteristics of six disinfection byproducts (DBPs) on four sorbents. To investigate sorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specially designed experimental batch and continuous flow modules were developed. The investigated compounds included: chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), bromate and bromide ions. Sorbents used included light weight aggregate (LWA), an inorganic porous material with unique surface characteristics, Amberlite® XAD-16, a weakly basic anion exchange resin, Amberjet®, a strongly basic anion exchange resin, and granular activated carbon (GAC). Batch experiments were conducted on spiked Milli-Q® and lake water matrices. Results indicate considerable sorption of TCE (68.9%), slight sorption of bromate ions (19%) and no appreciable sorption for the other test compounds on LWA. The sorption of TCE increased to 75.3% in experiments utilizing smaller LWA particle size. LWA could be a viable medium for removal of TCE from contaminated surface or groundwater sites. Amberlite® was found unsuitable for use due to its physical characteristics, and its inability to efficiently remove any of the test compounds. Amberjet® showed an excellent ability to remove the inorganic anions (>99%), and BDCM (96.9%) from aqueous solutions but with considerable elevation of pH. Continuous flow experiments evaluated GAC and Amberjet® with spiked Milli-Q® and tap water matrices. The tested organic compounds were sorbed in the order of their hydrophobicity. Slight elevation of pH was observed during continuous flow experiments, making Amberjet® a viable option for removal of BDCM, bromate and bromide ions from water. The continuous flow experiments showed that GAC is an excellent medium for removal of the tested VOCs and bromate ion. Each of the test compounds showed different breakthrough and saturation points. The unique design of the continuous flow apparatus used in the study proved to be highly beneficial to assess removal of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions.

Dissertation PhD--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adsorption tests were conducted with four different ion-exchange resins to determine the equilibrium adsorption of a range of precious and base metals. The adsorption characteristics were determined for synthetic single metal, as well as for multicomponent and base metal solutions. The effect of the el- concentration on the equilibrium adsorption was established for three different Hel concentrations in the above solutions. From the ion-exchange characteristics determined, a selective adsorption sequence is proposed for the separation of precious and base metals. Pure platinum, palladium and gold were dissolved in aqua regia and diluted to 2000 ppm (as metal) in 4M Hel. Ruthenium, rhodium and iridium were dissolved from pure salts in Hel. A 2000 ppm base metal solution was prepared by dissolving all the required components, including precious metals, to match an in-plant industrial basemetals solution composition. For each precious metal the equilibrium adsorption was determined for a couple of solution concentrations. Data points for adsorption curves were established by varying the amount of resin added to the test solution of a specific concentration. The equilibrium solution concentrations were determined by Iep analysis after 24 hours of exposure, using the bottle-roll technique. The experimental results obtained indicate a possible process route for the separation of precious metals with ion-exchange resin. The XAD7 resin is highly selective for gold from mixed solutions containing precious and base metals. It is also evident that, with the gold removed from the solution, the A22 resin adsorbs only palladium. IR200 resin adsorbs only the base metals from the solution. With all other precious metals removed from the solution (platinum and ruthenium must be extracted by other means), iridium can be adsorbed from the solution by IRA900 resin which is highly selective for iridium over rhodium. For all of the anion resins, XAD7, IRA900, and A22, the chloride concentration of the solution did not have a big effect on the adsorption capacity. However, the adsorption of base metals on IR200 is sensitive to chloride concentration, with a rapid reduction in adsorption at higher chloride concentrations. Statistical models were developed for the adsorption of each of the precious metals, as well as for the base metal solution. All adsorption data, obtained for a resin (typically 250 equilibrium data points), was used in the development of the model. The SPSS statistical software package was used to develop linear regression models. The interaction between all the input parameters, e.g. the interaction of gold and chloride ions, was modelled by specifying the product of the gold and the chloride concentrations as an input variable. The variables that determine the adsorption quantities were identified. High solution concentrations of the target adsorption component increase the adsorption quantity. It has been established that a higher platinum concentration increases the adsorption quantity of gold on XAD7 resin. However, the adsorption quantity is reduced at higher ruthenium concentrations. The adsorption quantity of iridium on IRA900 is reduced with increased rhodium concentration. The adsorption quantity of palladium on A22 is increased by the presence of rhodium and decreased by larger concentrations of iridium and platinum. The adsorption of base metals on IR200 is decreased at higher acid concentrations. Higher concentrations of gold in the base metal solution also decrease the adsorption quantity of base metals. The model predicted adsorption of each component compares well with the actual measured values. In batch adsorption tests the counter ion is not removed from the resin. The resin capacity for a specific ion concentration could therefore not be determined. As such, the adsorption models are only valid for the initial part of the ion-exchange process. The effect of kinetics on the adsorption was not determined. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Adsorpsietoetse is gedoen met vier verskillende ioonuitruilharse om die ewewig adsorpsie van edelmetale en basismetale te bepaal. Die adsorpsie karakteristieke is bepaal vir sintetiese enkelmetaal-, meermetaal-, en basismetaaloplossings. Die effek van die Cl konsentrasie op die ewewigadsorpsie is bepaal vir drie soutsuurkonsentrasies in al die bogenoemde oplossings. 'n Prosesvloeidiagram vir die selektiewe adsorpsie van edelmetale en basismetale met behulp van die vier verskillende ioonuitruilharse word voorgestel. Suiwer platinum, palladium en goud is opgelos in koningswater en verdun na 2000 dpm (uitgedruk as metaal) in 4 molaar HCl. Rutenium-, rodium- en iridiumoplossings is verkry deur die oplos van suiwer edelmetaalsoute in HCl. 'n Basismetaaloplossing van 2000 dpm is voorberei deur die individuele komponente, wat die edelmetale ingesluit het, in die regte verhouding te kombineer om die samestelling van 'n industriële basismetaaloplossing te verkry. Vir elke edelmetaal is die ewewigadsorpsie bepaal vir tipies twee konsentrasies van edelmetaaloplossings. Verskillende data punte by 'n spesifieke edelmetaalkonsentrasie is bepaal deur die hoeveelheid hars wat by die toets oplossing gevoeg word te varieer. Die oplossingkonsentrasies by ewewig is bepaal deur IGP analise na 24 uur blootstelling met die roterende botteltegniek. Die resultate wat verkry is dui op 'n moontlike ioonuitruiigebaseerde proses vir die skeiding van edelmetale. Die XAD hars is selektief vir goudadsorpsie uit gemengde oplossings wat al die edelmetale, asook basismetale bevat. Dit is ook bevind dat indien goud uit die gemengde oplossing verwyder word, die A22 hars slegs palladium adsorbeer uit die oplossing. Die IR200 hars adsorbeer slegs basismetale. Wanneer al die ander edelmetale uit die oplossing verwyder is (platinum en rutenium moet met alternatiewe prosesse verwyder word) kan iridium geadsorbeer word met !RA900 hars vanuit 'n iridium- en rodium- gemengde oplossing. Vir al drie die anioonharse wat getoets is, naamlik, XAD7, !RA900 en A22, het die chloriedkonsentrasie nie 'n groot effek op die adsorpsie gehad nie. Die hoeveelheid basismetale wat op IR200 hars geadsorbeer word is egter baie sensitief vir die chloriedkonsentrasie, met 'n vinmge afname In adsorpsie by hoër chloriedkonsentrasies. Statistiese modelle is ontwikkel vir elke hars en vir elk van die edelmetale, asook die basismetaaloplossing. Al die eksperimentele data wat vir elke hars verkry is, tipies 250 ewewigspunte, is gebruik in die ontwikkeling van lineêre regressie modelle vir die primêre absorberende spesie op die hars. Hoër konsentrasies van die teiken adsorpsie komponent verhoog die adsorpsie daarvan. Hoër platinumkonsentrasies verhoog die adsorpsie van goud op XAD7, maar die teenwoordigheid van rutenium verlaag adsorpsie. Die adsorpsie van iridium op IRA900 word verlaag met hoër rodiumkonsentrasies. Die adsorpsie van palladium op A22 verhoog met die teenwoordigheid van rodium, maar neem af met hoër konsentrasies van iridium en platinum. Die adsorpsie van basismetale op IR200 neem af by hoër suurkonsentrasies. 'n Hoër goudkonsentrasie verlaag ook die adsorpsie van basismetale. Die gemodelleerde adsorpsie hoeveelhede vergelyk goed met die gemete waardes. Aangesien die uitgeruilde ioon nie verwyder word uit die toetsoplossing nie, kon die harskapasiteit vir 'n spesifieke ioonkonsentrasie nie bepaal word nie. Die modelle is derhalwe slegs getoets vir die aanvanklike deel van die ewewigsdata en die kinetika van adsorpsie is nie in ag geneem nie.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The availability of vast deposits of high-grade ore bodies are rapidly becoming something of the past in the modern mining and metallurgical scenario. Apart from the lower grade content of these ore bodies, complex mineralogy are an even greater obstacle in the recovery of valuable metal species. The development of new technology to deal with these type of ore bodies is therefore critical and worth investigating, as the world's easily exploitable high grade ore deposits are decreasing. Valuable species can be recovered from sparingly soluble solids, which slightly dissociate to give traces of the valuable ions in solution, with the use of ion-exchange resins in a slurry mixture. A dissociation equilibrium exists between the dissolved ions in solution and the solid ore body. Jf the dissolved ions are removed from the solution by ion-exchange, the solid / liquid dissociation equilibrium is continually displaced. According to Le Chatelier's principle further dissolution of the sparingly soluble solid is required to restore the equilibrium concentration of the valuable species in solution. It is possible to recover valuable metal species from metal precipitates, such as metal sulphides, by contacting a slurry of the precipitate with a suitable ion-exchange resin. The resulting ion exchange reaction between the valuable metal species and counter ions creates electrolyte solutions that may facilitate the further dissolution of the metal precipitate. These counter ion electrolyte solutions may easily become significantly concentrated. This occurs in the event of a Resin-in-Leach (RIL) mixture that results in a continuous ion-exchange reaction taking place due to the continually changing electrolyte composition of the mixture, which significantly changes the activities and hence the solubility of the valuable metal species in solution. Complete dissolution and liberation of the metal precipitate can often be achieved provided that a sufficient amount of a suitable high capacity ion-exchange resin is used in a properly engineered Resin-in- Leach (RIL) circuit. The simultaneous dissolution and adsorption of various base metal precipitates were tested. Various interactions that take place in the slurry at molecular level as well as the effects of various variables on the "adsorption by dissolution process" are discussed through the development of fundamental thermodynamic models. These thermodynamic mathematical models are developed for the three phase system that exists in a Resin-in- Leach mixture, i.e. the solid ore body, the electrolyte solution and the ion-exchange resin, and can be used for possible other applications such as the recovery of rare earths from low grade ores in the minerals processing industry. A typical example of an industrial process for the recovery of rare earth species is the percolation leaching of rare earths from low-grade kaolinitic ores, which continually shifts the solid / liquid dissociation equilibrium condition. The rare earth content of these ores is usually between 0.05%and 0.3 %, which is very low by any modern industrial extraction and refining standards. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die beskikbaarheid van ryk mineraal ertsneerslae is spoedig besig om iets van die verlede te word in die huidige mineraalontginning en metallurgiese veredelings industrie. Afgesien van die lae graad van die huidige mineraal ertsneerslae, blyk die komplekse mineralogiese samestelling van hierdie neerslae In veel groter struikelblok te wees in die herwinning en veredeling van die edelmetale teenwoordig in hierdie ertse. Die ontwikkeling van nuwe veredelings en ekstratiewe tegnologie vir die herwinning van edel metale, vanuit hierdie lae graad mineraal ertsneerslae, word dus benodig wat verdere navorsing in hierdie gebied regverdig. Dit is wel moontlik om metaal spesies afkomstig van ertse met 'n baie lae oplosbaarheid in waterige oplossings te herwin met ioon-uitruilings harse vanweë die feit dat die metaal spesies wel teen baie lae konsentrasies in die waterige oplossings teenwoordig is. Die metaal spesies los op in die waterige oplossings volgens hulle karakteristieke oplossings termodinamika. Indien die opgeloste metaal spesies vanuit die waterige oplossing verwyder word, sal die vaste stof / vloeistof ewewigs balans weer herstel word deurdat die vaste stof verder saloplos as gevolg van Le Chatelier se beginsel. Dit is dus moontlik om metaalagtige spesies, soos metaal sulfiedes, te herwin deur 'n waterige oplossing wat die metaal erts bevat in kontak te bring met 'n ioon-uitruilings hars. Die daaropvolgende ioon-uitruilings reaksie tussen die metaalagtige spesies en die spesies teenswoordig op die ioon-uitruilingshars het tot gevolg dat die elektrolitiese samestelling van die waterige oplossing verander. Dit is die gevolg van die migrasie van spesies aanvanklik teenswoordig op die hars wat in die waterige fase eindig. Die veranderende samestelling van die waterige oplossing mag verder tot gevolg hê dat die oplosbaarheid van die metaalagtige spesie verder verhoog mag word. Die gevolg van bogenoemde reaksies is dat die waterige oplossing ionies sterk gekonsentreerd kan word soos meer en meer spesies aanvanklik teenswoordig op die hars migreer na die oplossing. Die ioniese verandering van die waterige oplossing van 'n suiwer waterige fase tot 'n ionies sterk gekonsentreerde oplossing vind plaas tydens die oplos van erste in 'n hars-inpulp (HIP) oplossing. Die nuwe ioniese aktiwiteit in die oplossing kan die oplosbaarheid van die vaste stof drasties verander. Die volledige oplossing van 'n bepaalde kwantiteit van die vaste stof kan bereik word deur die genoegsame toevoeging van 'n geskikte hars tot die waterige oplossing wat die vaste stofbevat. Die gelyktydige oplossing en absorpsie van die metaalagtige vastestowwe vanuit waterige oplossings met behulp van ioon-uitruilings harse is eksperimenteel getoets vir die doeleindes van hierdie werkstuk. Verskeie interaksies wat op molekulêre vlak in die pulp plaasvind asook die adsorpsie proses van die spesies vanuit die waterige oplossing op die harse word bespreek en gemodelleer. Wiskundige modelle wat die termodinamika van die verskillende fases wiskundig verteenwoordig is ontwikkel vanaf bestaande termodinamiese beginsels. Die drie verskillende fases wat in ag geneem is, is die waterige fase met opgeloste metaal spesies, die vaste stof fase wat as die erts in bostaande paragrawe beskryf is en die ioon-uitruilings fase wat 'n komplekse vastestof en water fase gekombineerd is. Die doel van die werkstuk is om die basis te skep vir die ontwikkeling van modelle wat gebruik kan word om die herwinning van skaars-aarde mertale vanuit lae oplosbare erstse te modelleer en beskryf. 'n Tipiese industriële voorbeeld is die herwinning van skaars-aarde metale van lae-graadse kalkagtige erste deur gebruik te maak van perkolerende logings reaksies wat geduring die vastestof / vloeistof ewewig versteur. Die konsentrasie van die skaars-aarde metale in hierde erts gesteentes kan wissel vanaf so laag as 0.05% tot 0.3% per massa. Hierdie konsentrasies is uiters laag gesien vanuit enige industriële herwinnings proses oogpunt.

No description available.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 1960. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

Vita. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

This research conducted equilibrium experiments to determine ion exchange equilibria data for the inorganic cations Ca2+, Na+, and NH4+ for binary cation exchange involving sulfonic acid, polystyrene gel resins saturated with Na+ or NH4+. A linear least-square fitting was developed to find representative ion exchange capacity (IEC) and selectivity coefficient (K) values. Equilibrium experiments were utilized to test the developed new linearization method for binary systems: Ca-NH4; Ca-Na; and Na-NH4 using three commercial strong acid cation (SAC) exchange resins. It was determined that SAC exchange resins saturated with NH4+ were more selective towards Ca2+ than resins saturated with Na+. The valency and the size of the hydrated radius of the counterion influenced the selectivity of binary systems. A higher valence and a smaller hydrated radius resulted in an increased affinity of the resin for ions. Results can be used to estimate the technical and economic feasibility of a design process along with the estimation of the effect of a change in operating conditions. In addition, the removal of toxic heavy metals was also investigated with an initial metal concentration of 0.1 mg/L. Results showed that the maximum percent removal of toxic heavy metal ions, Cr3+, Pb2+, Ba2+, and Cd2+ ranged from ~ 95-99% when present in a solution containing a high molar concentration of Ca2+, Na+, and NH4+. It was observed that SAC exchange resins can effectively remove toxic heavy metals at very low concentrations. The high selectivity that SAC exchange resins possess towards heavy metals proves that they can be used as a pretreatment method for the removal of toxic heavy metals from municipal and industrial wastewaters. Moreover, the performance of SAC exchange resins for the removal of Ca2+ from waste solutions was investigated through computer modelling. Results showed that ion exchange is an efficient method for the removal of Ca2+. A sensitivity analysis showed that the variation in K and IEC greatly influenced the breakthrough time as an increase in both parameters resulted in greater Ca2+ uptake. Modelling results can be used to optimize the design of ion exchange systems for the pretreatment of inorganic cations which can reduce membrane scaling. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The work in this thesis demonstrates whether resins are better than conventional soil extractants at predicting plant metal concentrations, and whether low-cost soil treatments can effectively reduce metal content and concentrations in lettuce leaves. / Researchers have shown that ion exchange resins can simulate root metal uptake behaviour by acting as ion sinks. Chemical extractants on the other hand, generally do not behave in this manner. Thus, we would expect resins (in either bead or membrane form) to predict plant metal concentrations better than conventional extractants. For the first study, a procedure using anion exchange resin membranes (AEM) treated with either EDTA or DTPA chelators was chosen, since previous studies showed this method to be effective at predicting plant metal uptake, and practical for routine laboratory use. In addition, several conventional extractants were selected for comparison. / For the second part of the thesis, a study was undertaken to test the effectiveness of various food processing byproducts to stabilize metal contaminants in soils, and compare the results with those of a Na-based aluminosilicate (zeolite). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)