Extraction Chromatographic Resins Ion Exchange Resins
Eichrom is an
internationally acknowledged leader in metals separation technology, providing
products that enable the efficient separation of nuclear materials from acidic
solutions. Eichrom has a significant array of products for the separation
of both radioactive and conventional metals which can be used in fields of
hydrometallurgy, environmental control and water treatment, and microelectronics
manufacturing. Eichrom products improve
performance and lower operating costs. 
Their products include:
EXTRACTION CHROMATOGRAPHIC RESINS:
Eichrom's extraction chromatographic resins not only provide a more accurate and reliable separation of the target element from the sample, they also reduce toxic waste and safety concerns. The resins utilise specific "metal recognizing" extractants that are designed to both selectively identify and remove the target element. Traditional methods of removing target elements involved precipitation, whereby the target elements are separated from the other sample constituents by first dissolving the entire sample and then causing certain of the constituents to become insoluble, agglomerate and fall out of the solution. This procedure often had to be repeated several times, with each repetition requiring slight alterations in chemistry. Eichrom have made the separation process much faster, and quicker by first dissolving the sample in a liquid, which is then passed over the resin beads (where the target element is captured) and the isolated, or captured, element can then be washed off the resin and counted.
Eichrom extraction
chromatographic resins are ideally suited for: Bioassay - separation of metals from biological samples such
as urine, faeces, bone and tissue.
Environmental Analysis - separation from environmental samples
such as soil, air, water, vegetation and mild are often hampered by the presence
of interfering ions thereby reducing interference from the external mineral
matrix.
Geochemical Analysis - Eichrom products analyze the absolute
content or isotope ratio of certain metals. Samples are devoid of
contaminating ions and scientists measuring isotope levels may load the
separated samples directly into a mass spectrometer which greatly reduces time
and analysis costs.
SELECTIVE ION EXCHANGE RESINS:
These uniquely selective resins effectively remove radionuclides and metals from solutions containing large quantities of calcium, sodium and other common earth elements. Technology advancements have taken these resins into both radioactive and non-radioactive metals separations applications where selectivity and high performance are an issue. Eichrom's Diphonix resins selectively remove metals and radionuclides from aqueous solutions. Diphonix's diphosphonic acid ligands are responsible for the metal ion specificity, while sulfonic acid ligands within the polymer matrix enhance metal ion accessibility into the polymer network and improves kinetics exchange.
Eichrom's Diphonix ion
exchange resins are ideally suited to: Ultra-purification - metal recovery from waters and process
streams and the ultra-purification of acidic process solutions.
Metallurgical Processing Industries - where selective metal
separations are important, such as hydrometallurgy and metal finishing.
Treatment of Radioactive Effluents - critical recycling and
waste minimisation applications in nuclear installations (power plants &
fuel manufacturing facilities); run-off remediation applications for uranium mines and other mining
operations.
Industrial Waste Water Treatment - elimination of toxic
metals from discharge streams in oil refining, chemical processing, metal
processing and mining.
Environmental Remediation - aqueous solutions in process streams
from soil washing are often contaminated with radionuclides and other metals
that can be removed and recovered. Ion exchange resins are also applicable
in ground water and mixed waste remediation projects to dramatically lower
regeneration demands and disposal costs.
Eichrom has developed highly specific extraction chemistries that allow for the removal of both radioactive and non-radioactive metals from waste streams and processing solutions. These specific metals extractants enable the efficient production of valuable metals with a higher purity and the separation of various radioactive elements from nuclear waste.
Eichrom's selective
extractants are ideally suited for:
Treatment of Process Streams - hydrometallurgical plants can
produce higher purity metals and recycle critical system additives by
eliminating contaminants.
Reclamation of Metal Values from Waste - Sludges and other metal
bearing wastes can be solubilised and the metals separated and reclaimed.
Treatment of Nuclear Waste - The removal and recovery of uranium,
transuranic elements, strontium and cesium can be accomplished and waste
minimised.
For more information on Eichrom please visit their website at www.eichrom.com