Patent ID: 6280599
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B01D,B01J,C02F

Abstract:
A method of treating an ion exchange material, the method comprising:(a) positioning at least two regions of ion exchange material between an anode and cathode electrode, wherein at least a portion of the two regions being separated by a non-ion specific permeable interface;(b) supplying water in a nonparallel fashion through the electrodes to the at least two regions;(c) supplying an electric potential between the electrodes thereby causing generation of hydrogen ions at the anode and hydroxide ions at the cathode, which ions are caused to move through each region towards the oppositely charged electrode and thereby displacing at least a portion of any anions or cations associated with the ion exchange material in each region such that the displaced anions and cations are also caused to move through the regions towards the oppositely charged electrode; and(d) removing at least some of the anions and cations formed during step (c) which reach the interface.