Cation Exchange Column

By measuring the cation conductivity of boiler feed water and steam, utility plant operators can identify minor problems early and stop contaminants from causing more serious issues. It is one of the best ways to monitor contaminants in a boiler feed water or steam sample. A positively charged cation that attaches to functional groups on the plastic beads replaces the released [H]+. The result could be an acidic solution. Contaminants can be detected at low concentrations by cation resin columns since they are sensitive to them. To guarantee appropriate flow, residence duration and resin volume, the column's length to diameter ratio is crucial. Colour indication is present in most of the cation exchange resins. When the resin runs out of ions, it changes colour. The most common colour markers are dark red or deep purple. They change into light red or light brown, respectively, as they run out. The colour change happens gradually until all the resin is exhausted. The conductivity at the outlet increases when the resin in the column has entirely changed colour because the cations can no longer be removed by the resin and can instead exit the column. It is an indication that the resin needs to be replaced or regenerated.