Mixed Bed Resin is a type of ion exchange resin that consists of both positively charged (cation) and negatively charged (anion) resins in the form of small beads. Used in Water Purification Systems, the result is a very high level of water of purity.
The three we will be looking at today are:
- MB111
- MB-115
- MBD-15
How Mixed Bed resin Works
As a dual-resin composition, these are mixed together in one physical vessel, so water contacts both of these types at the same time.
As the water flows through the mixed bed, Cation Resin exchanges its H+ ions for positively charged ions in the water, whilst Anion resins exchange its OH– ions for negatively charged ions. The H+ and OH– combine to make H₂O – thus leaving the water with an extremely high purity rate. We call this process ion exchange.
The final result is a water leaving the mixed bed that has minimal dissolves salts and extremely low conductivity (generally less than 0.1 µS/cm).
Key benefits
One of the key features of Mixed Bed Resin is that it achieves the highest possible purity levels for water. Not only this, the fact it’s a single-step demineralization means that by combining two stages of demineralization into one, space requirement is less (when compared to separate cation and anion beds). Ionic contamination can also be vastly reduced to extremely low levels and it’s ideal for final polishing after reverse osmosis/other pre-treatment steps.
Applications of Mixed Bed Resin
The water can now be used in various applications such as in power plants and specifically on the high-pressure boilers that require the water to possess an extremely low ionic content. Here, it will be used as boiler feeder water in order to prevent scaling forming and corrosion in high pressure boilers. It will help to prevent deposits that can cause damage to turbine and heat exchangers. Simply put, the operational lifespan of this machinery is then extended.
Mixed Bed Resin also benefit the electronics and semiconductor industry, as the pure water is required for circuit boards and chips. It is highly important for wet chemical processes and prevents contamination that may occur on nanoscale structures.
In the pharmaceutical industry, this water would be used as a component in drug formulation as well as sterilising and cleaning. Pharmaceutical equipment is cleaned, (prevents residue or ionic deposits on surfaces) thus creating a sterile environment and preventing microbial contamination.
Comparison: Tulsion MB-115 & MBD-15 & MB-111
The following are all types of Mixed Bed Resins but will each have favourable applications. All of these can be found on Resin Products. They will be different in formulation and ultimately their applications will be best suited to different industries.
Tulsion MB-115
Consisting of a strong acid cation resin and a strong base type I anion resin, the ratio for this one is 1:1.5 ratio. It is often used after reverse osmosis as a final polishing stage to accomplish ultra-pure water.
Applications: Electronics manufacturing, (TV Tubes and semiconductors), window cleaning, laboratory set ups.
ResinTech MBD-15
Consists of a 1:1 mix of dark coloured hydrogen form cation resin and hydroxide fork type I strong base anion resin. This is mainly used as a general mixed bed deionisation that require high resistivity and a high throughput capacity.
Very well suited for the following: Condensate polishing, portable exchange deionisation and in-place regeneration systems
Widely used in industrial water treatment, labs and the pharmaceutical industry where a high purity water is needed but not necessarily at 0 ppm.
MB-111
This Mixed Bed Resin is made up of a strong acid cation and strong base type I resin in a ratio of 1:1.5. In terms of applications, it is used for final polishing in the production of pure water for the wire EDM Industry and much like Tulsion MB-115, this can also be used in the window cleaning business.
In summary, although all three are mixed base resins, each will be better suited for a specific purpose. For example, MB-115 will be your best option when the water is needed to be absolute ultra-pure water (so for electronics and lab purposes); it also produces very low conductivity water. Something like MBD-15 will be best suited for industrial systems that require and a high throughput and are regenerable. In water treatment, MBD-15 can be great for Portable Exchange Deionisation (PEDI) – it can give a provide a very convenient supply of pure water and without on-site regeneration.
Finally, MB-111 does have a widespread use still but is particularly beneficial for EDM and electronics industry. It’s important to a breakdown of each of these Mixed Bed Resin products, which can be found on the product pages on Resin Products.