Boron Removal from Raw Water

[red857]

recently, we have detected from our raw water source a significant level of boron. what are available methods or technologies that can remove boron from our raw water? thanks!

 

[GarySCWSVI]

Most ion exchange resin manufacturers offer a Boron Selective resin. My company, Purolite, offers our S-108 which is a Boron Selective resin. Another Boron removal technology would be Reverse Osmosis.

Gary Schreiber, CWS VI
The Purolite Co.

 

[MikeJefferies]

Boron isn't well rejected by RO. To get really good removal, you need to raise the pH.

 

[cub3bead]

MikeJefferies is correct about RO rejection of boron. B rejection is only about 50-70% of the feed at neutral pH. The pKa of boric acid is ~9.2 so it doesn't ionize until the pH is greater than 9.

Unless you soften the feed, raising the pH that high will likely cause serious CaCO3 scaling to occur and could result in Mg(OH)(SiO2) scaling problems. Be careful.

Have you checked your feed for the other "B" bad actor, bromine? If you chlorinate or ozonate the Br is converted to BrO3 (bromate) which is not not nice if the water is used for potable purposes.