Solvent impregnated resins for MTBE removal from aqueous environments

MTBE removal from groundwater is difficult. State-of-the-art processes such as air stripping or adsorption can have significant drawbacks, like high energy consumption, low capacity and low selectivity. This is why the alternative technology of solvent impregnated resins is investigated. The extractant used is 3-iodophenol diluted with propylbenzene. From solids screening and impregnation experiments macroporous polypropylene (MPP) particles appear as a suitable solid support. The MTBE capacity of impregnated MPP is lower than that of a carbonaceous resin, but the selectivity of the SIR between MTBE and humic acid is significantly higher. Solvent impregnated resin (SIR) regeneration can be easily achieved with hot gas.