Abstract

Process for operating and regenerating a fixed bed ion exchanger on a continuous basis without the need for moving the bed or closing down the operation during the regeneration step which comprises forming a fluid wall of the feed solution containing the ions to be removed and continuously flowing the feed solution as a fluid wall through a fixed ion exchange bed at a high rate until the ion exchange bed becomes exhausted and in need of regeneration, then terminating the flow of feed solution and forming a fluid wall of a stripping solution which will remove the ions from the ion exchange resin and flowing the stripping solution as a fluid wall through the fixed ion exchange bed at a high rate until the activity of the bed has been restored, then terminating the flow of stripping solution and again forming a fluid wall of the feed solution and continuously flowing the feed solution as a fluid wall through the fixed ion exchange bed at a high rate. The above process effects a rapid and efficient recovery of the desired ions with minimal loss of resin through hydraulic action. Also provided is a highly efficient apparatus for conducting the above process including a plurality of valve means for introducing the solutions in sequence, means for forming the fluid wall of each solution, feed chamber means for passing the fluid wall into the ion exchange bed, means for maintaining the ion exchange bed, collection chamber means for collecting the fluid wall after passage through the ion exchange bed, means for removing the collected solutions and plurality of valve means for discharging the solutions in sequence.