Simulation of Fixed-bed Ion Exchange Processes

Abstract

A numerical ~odel for predicting breakthrough curves of general fixed-bed ion exchange processes was developed. In the model, the column operated under local equilibrium, and hydrodynamic dispersion was included as a transport mechanism. A numerical dispersion coefficient was introduced to account for trunc.a tion error in the numerical approximation. The model is capable of predicting breakthrough data for systems whose equilibria are described by linear, Langmuir, or Freundlich isotherms. An interactive computer program was developed to implement the numerical solution algorithm. Test calculations were performed to check the validity of the numerical approximation technique, and to compare predicted data with experimental data from the literature.