ION-EXCHANGE EQUILIBRIUM OF POTASSIUM ON STRONG ACID RESINS IN POLYOLMEDIA

The uptake equilibrium of potassium from impure polyols was obtained e xperimentally on two different H-form ion exchangers: Dowex XZS-1, a h omogeneous gel resin and Amberlite 252, a macroreticular ion exchange resin. The equilibrium isotherms are highly favourable for both types of resins and an acid/base neutralization reaction is proposed to expl ain the behaviour of the system. It was observed that these resins are not able to exchange their full potential capacity in pure polyol med ia. Based on the main properties of the resin matrix and the polyol, a n explanation about this lack of capacity is;proposed. Equilibrium iso therms of potassium from ternary mixtures polyol-methanol-water over A mberlite 252 were also obtained. A different mechanism for ion exchang e of potassium was proposed for this kind of system, explaining the im provements in resin capacity.