A process for removing Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:
A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:
A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

Provided herein are processes for recovering lithium ions from a brine source. The process can comprises increasing the pH of a brine source comprising lithium ions to at least about 5.5; contacting the pH-elevated brine source with a bed of protonated ion exchange media to produce a lithiated ion exchange media and a lithium-depleted brine stream; contacting the lithiated ion exchange media with an acidic aqueous wash liquid; and contacting the washed lithiated ion exchange media with an elution liquid comprising an acid. Also provided herein is a process for increasing the pH of brine comprising obtaining brine from a brine source comprising lithium ions; adding the brine to a continuously stirred tank reactor without preprocessing the brine to remove solid matter; adding a strong base to the continuously stirred tank reactor; contacting the brine with the base. Further provided herein are processes for creating a lithiated ion exchange media, which can comprise contacting a pH-elevated brine source with a bed of protonated ion exchange media; and producing a lithiated ion exchange media and a spent brine, wherein the bed of protonated ion exchange media comprises a metal oxide absorbent and a polymeric binder.

Provided herein are processes for recovering lithium ions from a brine source. The process can comprises increasing the pH of a brine source comprising lithium ions to at least about 5.5; contacting the pH-elevated brine source with a bed of protonated ion exchange media to produce a lithiated ion exchange media and a lithium-depleted brine stream; contacting the lithiated ion exchange media with an acidic aqueous wash liquid; and contacting the washed lithiated ion exchange media with an elution liquid comprising an acid. Also provided herein is a process for increasing the pH of brine comprising obtaining brine from a brine source comprising lithium ions; adding the brine to a continuously stirred tank reactor without preprocessing the brine to remove solid matter; adding a strong base to the continuously stirred tank reactor; contacting the brine with the base. Further provided herein are processes for creating a lithiated ion exchange media, which can comprise contacting a pH-elevated brine source with a bed of protonated ion exchange media; and producing a lithiated ion exchange media and a spent brine, wherein the bed of protonated ion exchange media comprises a metal oxide absorbent and a polymeric binder.

The amorphous inorganic anion exchanger of the present invention is represented by Formula (1) and has an average primary particle size observed with an electron microscope of at least 1 nm but no greater than 500 nm and an NO.sub.3 content of no greater than 1 wt % of the whole:
BiO(OH)  Formula (1).

The amorphous inorganic anion exchanger of the present invention is represented by Formula (1) and has an average primary particle size observed with an electron microscope of at least 1 nm but no greater than 500 nm and an NO.sub.3 content of no greater than 1 wt % of the whole:
BiO(OH)  Formula (1).

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods for recycling waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt comprising reducing the size of the waste ion exchange materials to produce a plurality of waste ion exchange particles having particle sizes from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm, and regenerating the plurality of waste ion exchange particles to produce a plurality of regenerated ion exchange particles having a concentration of the first alkali metal salt greater than a concentration of the first alkali metal salt in the waste ion exchange materials. Systems for recycling a waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt are also disclosed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods for recycling waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt comprising reducing the size of the waste ion exchange materials to produce a plurality of waste ion exchange particles having particle sizes from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm, and regenerating the plurality of waste ion exchange particles to produce a plurality of regenerated ion exchange particles having a concentration of the first alkali metal salt greater than a concentration of the first alkali metal salt in the waste ion exchange materials. Systems for recycling a waste ion exchange materials comprising a first alkali metal salt and a second alkali metal salt are also disclosed.

The present invention includes a novel salt-free water softening method that utilizes an exchange medium (such as a gel exchange polymer, a macroporous exchange polymer, or an inorganic cation exchanger) that is pre-loaded with a polyvalent cation that has low solubility in aqueous phase at nearly neutral pH. The method of the invention does not require use of a sodium salt or mineral acid in the regeneration of the exchange medium.

The present invention includes a novel salt-free water softening method that utilizes an exchange medium (such as a gel exchange polymer, a macroporous exchange polymer, or an inorganic cation exchanger) that is pre-loaded with a polyvalent cation that has low solubility in aqueous phase at nearly neutral pH. The method of the invention does not require use of a sodium salt or mineral acid in the regeneration of the exchange medium.