Fluorine is a non-metal element with an atomic number of 9. The most chemically reactive element, fluorine, reacts with oxygen, helium, neon and krypton.
Applications
Fluorine is used in the nuclear power industry to separate uranium isotopes, to manufacture Teflon™ brand (Chemours) fluoropolymers, and to strengthen teeth and bones.
Challenges
Specific industrial applications produce excess fluorine, which must be removed from waste streams. In large quantities, it is toxic and corrosive.
Solutions
Resin technology is used for three relevant applications.
Removal from Potable Groundwater
The World Health Organization standard for fluoride in drinking water is < 1.5 ppm, and where this level is exceeded, ion exchange can be used to reduce the fluoride level.
A high-capacity potable grade SBA resin, such as
Purolite A300E, can be used for portable groundwater applications.
For more information, visit
Potable and Groundwater Products.
PFAS Removal from Potable and Groundwater
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many others. PFAS have been manufactured and used in various industries around the globe, including in the United States, since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals.
Ecolab has extensive experience treating PFAS-contaminated groundwaters with specially developed, high-capacity
Purolite PFA694E for single-use applications.
For more information, visit
PFAS in our Environment.
Removal of Industrial Applications
In industrial applications, aluminum cation exchangers have high selectivity and capacity for fluoride.
Purolite Puromet™ MTS9510PF is usually applied as two columns in series, with the first column regenerated with aluminum sulfate for fluoride removal and the second column regenerated with NaCl to mop up any Al leakage from the first column.
For more information, visit
Hydrometallurgy Products.
