In this research, the removal of boron and arsenic from geothermal water was examined by using novel N-methyl-d-glucamine functionalized gel-like resins (abbreviated as 1JW and 2JW) synthesized by the membrane emulsification method. The outcomes were compared with those of commercially available boron selective chelating ion exchange resin (Diaion CRB 05). According to the results obtained with the novel resins, it was possible to reduce both boron and arsenic concentrations in geothermal water by using these novel gel-like chelating resins below their permissible levels for agricultural irrigation (<1 mg B/L) and drinking water (<0.01 mg As/L) by using the batch method. The optimum resin concentration required for almost complete boron removal (more than 95%) with the two chelating resins was determined to be 2 g/L. The novel gel-like chelating resins 1JW and 2JW achieved 94% of arsenic removal by using the resin concentration of 8 g/L, while the required resin concentration was 32 g/L for 94% of arsenic removal using commercially available Diaion CRB05 resin. In addition, the column performance characteristics of the novel chelating resins for the separation of boron were studied, and the results were compared to those obtained with Diaion CRB05. According to the column data obtained, the total resin capacities of the Diaion CRB05, 1JW, and 2JW resins were calculated as 6.29, 5.08, and 4.64 mg B/mL-resin, respectively.
Keywords: arsenic; boron; chelating ion exchange resin; geothermal water; ion exchange.