What temperature should mixed beds be cooled below for proper operation?

The appropriate temperature for cooling mixed beds in a power plant setting is critical for their proper operation, particularly for maintaining the effectiveness of ion exchange resins used in the demineralization process. Mixed beds are typically composed of both cation and anion exchange resins, which are designed to remove impurities from water and ensure that feedwater quality is maintained at optimal levels.

Cooling the mixed bed below a certain temperature is essential to prevent the degradation of the resins and to optimize their performance. Keeping the temperature below 60℃ helps ensure that the resins remain effective in their role, as higher temperatures can lead to reduced resin life and compromised ion exchange capacity due to thermal degradation.

In contrast, temperatures above this threshold can result in irreversibility effects, increasing the chance of detachment of functional groups or even the breakdown of the resin structure. Therefore, maintaining the mixed bed below 60℃ is important for ensuring consistent water quality and the longevity of the ion exchange resins.