Patent ID: 8623216

Claim:
A process for separating magnetic ion exchange resin from a liquid stream which comprises: (a) agglomeration and settling of the majority of the magnetic ion exchange resin from the liquid stream thereby generating a liquid stream containing residual magnetic ion exchange resin; (b) passing the liquid stream containing the residual magnetic ion exchange resin into a magnetic separator comprising one or more permanent magnets having a magnetic field to retain the residual magnetic ion exchange resin; (c) releasing residual magnetic ion exchange resin retained by the one or more permanent magnets into the liquid stream, thereby increasing the concentration of resin in the liquid stream, and (d) temporarily directing outflow of the liquid stream containing the increased resin concentration to capture the released resin, wherein the magnetic field of the one or more permanent magnets, from which retained resin is released, is retained in the liquid stream when the retained resin is released.