What are the Differences Between Ion-Exchange or Membranes (or Both)?
In many cases these separation technologies do not produce the same results. The key operating differences are:
- Ion-exchange(I-X) removes the contaminants by holding them within the resin without a wastewater stream; contaminants are handled as solid waste (non-hazardous) or regenerated
- Membrane concentrates (or separates) the contaminants from a wastewater stream that is typically sent to a drain
Which of these separation technologies to select depends upon the following questions:
- Chemistry of the cleaning agent
- Water purity required
- Air and wastewater discharge regulations
- Corporate enviornmental goals
Here is a comparison of a few possible solutions:
| AQUEOUS (water soluble flux) | SEMI-AQUEOUS (RMA flux) | |
| ION-EXCHANGE (I-X) |
Closed-Loop | Closed-Loop |
| MEMBRANE | open system,lead removal only | open system,lead removal only |
| reverse osmosis | no closed-loop typically(I-X alternative far less expensive)10-30% of water used becomes a wastewater stream | closed-loop for Axarel ®, terpene etc. producing low purity water (add I-X for high purity water) |
| microfiltration(MF) | no practical value | solvent/water separation or RO pretreatment |
(For RMA FLUX / SAPONIFIER, MF can be used to extend the life of an alkaline cleaner)
Axarel ® is a registered trademark of Dupont