Apparatus and method for visually monitoring an ion exchange fluidized bed

A method for visually monitoring the characteristics of an ion exchanger fluidized bed, wherein the exchanger includes a process solution for supply to the fluidized bed, the fluidized bed including a preferentially absorbing resin and the solution, the method comprising:

• a. establishing a visually observable sample fluidized bed displaced from the exchanger fluidized bed in fluid communication with the exchanger fluidized bed such that resin is transferred between the exchanger fluidized bed and the sample fluidized bed;
• b. diverting a quantity of solution from the exchanger to form a solution sample;
• c. passing the solution sample through an orifice to establish a predetermined flow rate for the solution sample;
• d. introducing the solution sample at a controlled flow rate to the sample fluidized bed;
• e. returning the solution sample to the exchanger above the exchanger fluidized bed after the solution sample has passed through the sample fluidized bed, whereby the height of the sample fluidized bed is representative of the height of the exchanger fluidized bed.