ionivaihdon

Ionivaihdon is a Finnish term that translates to ion exchange. It is a reversible chemical process where ions in solution are exchanged for ions in a solid material, typically an ion-exchange resin. This process is widely used in water purification, softening, and demineralization.

In ion exchange, the solid material, or resin, contains fixed charged sites to which ions of the opposite charge are attached. When a solution containing other ions passes through the resin, these mobile ions can be exchanged for the ions bound to the resin. For example, in water softening, calcium and magnesium ions, which cause hardness, are exchanged for sodium ions from the resin.

The effectiveness of ion exchange depends on factors such as the concentration of ions in the solution, the type of resin used, and the flow rate. Once the resin becomes saturated with the unwanted ions, it can be regenerated by flushing it with a concentrated solution of the original ions. This regenerates the resin's capacity to perform further ion exchange.

Ionivaihdon has numerous applications beyond water treatment. It is used in the food industry for sugar refining, in chemical processes for separating and purifying substances, and in medical applications for drug delivery and dialysis. The technology offers an efficient and environmentally friendly method for selective ion removal and recovery.