Counter-current process for the rapid regeneration of ion exchange materials in an unrestrained bed

The method of regenerating an ion exchanger which comprises:

• (a) providing an ion exchanger having a non-constrained bed of ion exchange material in the form of ion exchange granules;
• (b) passing a solution to be treated in a downward charging direction through said bed of ion exchange material resulting in the formation of a concentration profile of ions that have been exchanged from the top to the bottom of said bed through said ion exchange material with said profile exhibiting a higher concentration of ions at the top of said bed;
• (c) followed by passing a regenerating solution upwardly through the non-constrained bed of ion exchange material in a controlled intermittent pulsed flow manner comprising an alternating up flow of regenerating solution followed by a down flow of liquid in a direction opposite the up flow, the duration and velocity of said up flow of regenerating solution being in the range of about 0.1 to 2.0 cm/sec. and sufficient to lift and generate a perceptible mixing of ion exchange materials in approximately the bottom 10% to 30% portion of said ion exchange bed, with said down flow being sufficient to seat the bed in less time than normal gravitational settle time and terminate mixing.