Separation processes in biotechnology. Ion-exchange processes

Abstract

Through the use of several differentiating mechanisms, ion exchangers can separate ionic and nonionic materials, solutions containing only ionic species, and even completely nonionic mixtures. Although the mechanisms are distinct in their mode of operation, the resin characteristics that influence the results are largely the same. A practical understanding of the resin properties involved is all that is necessary to begin to use ion-exchange resins successfully. Ion exchange owes most of its history to water treatment, which has provided the economic and technological driving force in the past for the development of improved resins. However, specialty applications such as those in biotechnology are steadily becoming major factors in industry, perhaps not in shear volumes of resin used, but certainly in the value added by the process. The field of biotechnology no doubt holds many of the exciting new applications for ion exchange.