Ion exchangers for the treatment of landfill leachate

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2025

Ion exchangers for the selective removal of substances from reverse osmosis permeate for the treatment of landfill leachate

Membrane systems such as reverse osmosis can reliably produce very clean water, known as permeate, even from very challenging wastewater like landfill leachate. These systems are designed based on the specified wastewater and discharge conditions.

If the discharge conditions become more stringent, ion exchangers can be used as a downstream process technology (s. link to flyer). These are used as standard for water softening. In this process, the ions in the permeate are exchanged with ions from the resin in the tank.

For the permeate of a reverse osmosis or nanofiltration system for the treatment of landfill leachate, it is recommended to use it against ammonium NH4-N or special metals, for example. This provides a safety filter that lowers the concentration of the target substances from the permeate.

Ion exchangers are regularly backwashed. Depending on customer requirements, this backwash water can be returned to the feed or the concentrate tank. This changes the ratio of permeate to concentrate only minimally.

Currently, there is a process in the UK to reduce the mass of pollutants like ammonia, metals or AOX discharged to rivers. Therefore, discharge conditions become more stringent and local authorities want BAT (best available technologies) to be installed for improving the chemical status of surface waters.

Membrane technology, e.g. reverse osmosis and nanofiltration for the treatment of landfill leachate, as well as ion exchangers are part of these BAT and can safely meet your discharge limits.

Here you can find the flyer.

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