Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange:

 A reversible process where ions are released from an insoluble permanent material in exchange for other ions in a surrounding solution. The direction of the exchange depends on (a) the affinities
of the ion exchanger for the ions present and (b) the concentrations of the ions in the solution. In water treatment, this process adds and removes ions from water. In nuclear chemistry, it is a common method for concentrating uranium from a solution. The uranium
solution is passed through a resin bed, where the uranium- carbonate complex ions are transferred to the resin by exchange with a negative ion like chloride. After buildup of the uranium complex on the resin, the uranium is eluted with a salt solution, and the uranium is precipitated in another process.