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Using a Regeneration Elution Study To Identify Factors Affecting Power Plant Demineralizer System Performance

By Jacob Bray

DEIONIZATION FOULING ION EXCHANGE POWER PRETREATMENT REGENERATION REVERSE OSMOSIS

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Abstract

Photo courtesy of Dow Water and Process Solutions

A demineralizer regeneration elution study was performed at the We Energies Valley Power Plant during the summer of 2014 in order to troubleshoot diminished performance. Elution studies are an effective tool used to help optimize and troubleshoot ion exchange (IX) demineralizer performance. The regeneration process of demineralizer IX resin is a necessary step in their operation and can be the source of overall performance issues if the process is not properly functioning. This report discusses the purpose, methods, and results of a regeneration elution study performed on a deep-bed strongly acidic, strongly basic demineralization system.

Objectives

The purpose of the demineralizer regeneration elution study was to identify factors inhibiting optimal performance of an IX demineralizer system. The study was performed during the summer of 2014 on the deep-bed IX demineralizer system located in the We Energies Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee, WI. In order to identify performance-inhibiting factors experienced by this system, the following objectives were completed:

  1. Calculate percent regeneration efficiency. 
  2. Develop regenerant chemical curves. 
  3. Develop ion elution curves. 


The trial was performed during the regeneration cycle of anion and cation IX resin under normal operating conditions. The trial was replicated on each of the 3 demineralizer trains.

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