[Killietalk] Re: PolyBag recharge question

[YoHoHo at aol_com]

In a message dated 9/3/2003 11:01:05 AM Central Standard Time, 
killietalk-request at aka_org writes:
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:21:32 -0500
From: "unclescott" <unclescott at prodigy_net>
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Re: Poly Bags
To: "killietalk email list" <killietalk at aka_org>
Message-ID: <014101c37226$ad43c7d0$210110ac at SCOTTSTOY>

Yo-Ho-Ho (a.k.a. Frank the hospitable) said:
> "Ion exchange" materials work on and "obey" the principles governing
chemical
> reactions, i.e., they move in the direction toward equilibrium conditions.

So would it be possible to partially "recharge" polyfilters by soaking them
in R.O. water?

Assuming that the polyfilter had adsorbed mostly organic wastes, the R.O.
soaking water could then be used to water the garden?

Thanks and all the best,

Scott the...um... frugal

Park Forest, IL     Garden Spot among former wetlands
Hi Scott
IF we can safely assume that PolyBags contain some "ion exchange" media, then 
the answer is a conditional yes.  The condition being that the "conditions" 
are such that the equillibrium is "pushed" in the proper direction.  None of 
this would apply if activated carbon is the "media", as it is not regenerable 
under such mild conditions. 

If one assumes that you simply place a used up filter into a container of 
very pure water that is standing still, then you can assume that a little 
exchange in the reverse direction will take place, BUT it will be just that, A 
LITTLE.  In order to shift the equillibrium conditions enough to make a meaningful 
difference, you would normally expect to use LARGE amounts of the pure water 
(stronger chemicals are most often used here).  Large amounts of water are 
usually achieved by passing water over/through the media, either by running the 
water over the media, or "swirling or otherwise agitating" the media in a large 
volume of water.  The amount of "regeneration" achieved under normal 
conditions, using only pure water, is probably not cost effective, unless you use the 
"swirling" approach, as then, there is no cost of large volumes of running 
water, or electricity to run a pump or mixer, or ....   In other words, now that 
you are retired, and have little else to do - have at it!
                                  o
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Frank Carriglitto
AKA #08234, ChiKA, WAKO