Ion Exchange

A reversible process in which soluble ionic contaminants (such as dissolved
metals) are adsorbed on a solid ion exchange media (naturally occurring
materials or polymeric resins containing charged functional groups that
electrostatically attract ions of opposite charge. The media can hold a
finite amount of contaminant and this amount is referred to as the media’s
capacity. When the contaminant capacity of the media is reached, the media
is removed from service and the contaminants are stripped by a regeneration
process. Regeneration restores the capacity of the media so it can be
returned to service.