The Use of Macroreticular Polymeric Adsorbents for the Treatment of Waste Effluents

One of the most significant advances in ion exchange resin and adsorbent technology has been the development of the macroreiicular pore structure. Various synthetic routes have been developed for preparing both ion exchange resins and polymeric adsorbents of high surface area and pore volume. Further, the synthesis has been developed to a degree such that the surface area and pore parameters can be varied over a wide range. Several of these macroreticular polymers based upon the crosslinked styrene and acrylate systems are now available commercially. These polymeric adsorbents are hard, durable, insoluble spheres of high surface area and porosity. They are available in a variety of polarities. The nonpolar adsorbents are particularly effective for adsorbing nonpolar solutes from polar solvents. Conversely, the polar adsorbents are very effective for adsorbing polar solutes from polar solvents. The polymeric adsorbents are being studied for a host of applications ranging from the recovery of pharmaceuticals to the treatment of waste effluents. Of particular interest is the use of these polymeric adsorbents for the treatment of wastes from the petrochemical, chemical, dye, and paper manufacturing industries. In some of these examples it has been demonstrated that one can recover significant quantities of re-usable chemicals that more than pay for the waste treatment application. The use of the polymeric adsorbents for the treatment of phenolic wastes is an example of such an application. Other related applications include the removal of chlorinated pesticides, TNT residues, and other noxious compounds from waste effluents and water supplies.