Ion-exchange Systems Research Articles

Impacts of water treatments on bacterial communities of biofilm and loose deposits in drinking water distribution systems

Treated drinking water is delivered to customers through drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Although studies have focused on exploring the microbial ecology of DWDSs, knowledge about the effects of different water treatments on the bacterial community of biofilm and loose deposits in DWDS is limited. This study assessed the effects of additional treatments on the bacterial communities developed in 10 months’ old pilot DWDSs. The results showed a similar bacterial community in the pipe-wall biofilm, which was dominated by Novosphingobium spp. (20–82 %) and Sphingomonas spp. (11–53 %), regardless of the treatment applied. The bacterial communities that were retained in the distribution systems (including pipe-wall biofilm and loose deposits) were similar to the particle-associated bacteria (PAB) in the corresponding supply water. The additional treatments showed clear effects of the removal and/or introduction of particles. The genera Aeromonas spp., Clostridium spp., Legionella spp., and Pseudomonas spp., which contain opportunistic pathogenic species, were only detected among the PAB in ion exchange system. Our study demonstrated that the biofilm community is consistent across treatments, and the contribution from bacteria in loose deposits is important but can be controlled by removing particles. These findings offer more insight into the origin and development of microbial ecology in DWDSs and suggest paths for further research on the possibility of managing the microbial ecology in distribution systems.

A potential-driven FeMnOx/CNTs film electrode for efficient extraction of WO42- via electrochemical coordination and inner-sphere complexation

A film electrode materials of iron-manganese oxide composite carbon nanotubes (FeMnOx/CNTs) with dual adsorption sites was obtained by a co-precipitation method, which exhibited excellent selectivity of WO42- in an electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) system. The main components of FeMnOx are MnOx and Fe(OH)3. In FeMnOx/CNTs composite film, Fe(OH)3 with abundant hydroxyl functional groups on its surface improved the ion storage capacity, while MnOx served as the main selective separation material to selectively adsorb the WO42-. A scalable ESIX pilot system was also designed to examine the effect of different operating conditions on system performance. The W(Ⅵ) adsorption capacity was as high as 187.76 mg/g and the separation factor of W/Mo was 21.03. Combining experimental characterization and results, it was confirmed that the highly efficient selective extraction of WO42- in neutral solution should be derived from the dual-site (i.e., electrochemical coordination sites on MnOx and electrochemically induced inner-sphere complexation sites on Fe(OH)3) adsorption. Hence, it is believed that such a novel electroactive FeMnOx/CNTs film electrode with dual adsorption sites could be a promising candidate for industrialized tungsten-molybdenum separation by ESIX technology.

Investigation of regenerable ion exchange system for 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) removal from wastewater

Effective treatment trains are needed to address insensitive munitions (IM) in wastewater. Ion exchange paired with oxidative munition degradation was evaluated for IM wastewater treatment. Herein, removal of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) was the design basis due to its high concentration at ≥ 1,400 mg/L in IM wastewater. Removal of NTO from simulated IM wastewater by Purolite A532E IX columns was observed over 18 cycles. Overall, 89–99 % of NTO was removed from solutions containing only NTO, and 81–99 % NTO was removed from solutions also containing 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), nitroguanidine (NQ), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1.3.5-triazine (RDX). Only 2–34 % of NTO was removed when nitrate or perchlorate were present. Regenerant composed of 0.01 M HCl and 1 % MeOH removed NTO and allowed 12 cycles of repeated loading and unloading before resins needed to be replaced. Across a total of 18 cycles observed with differing influent and regenerant methods, NTO removal in a single column was 69±8 % and the regeneration efficiency 76±5 %. The NTO in spent regenerant solutions were completely degraded over 1.5 hr of ozone-nanobubble treatment and 7 hr of UV/H2O2 treatment. These results suggest that once optimized, ion exchange of NTO from munitions wastewater may be a viable technology to include in munitions wastewater treatment trains.

Resources recovery-rubidium recovery from desalination brine through hydrometallurgy techniques

Because of the water scarcity in many regions, different methods have been implemented to address this problem. The desalination technique is known as a practical solution among them. However, brine from the desalination process, which contains high concentrations of salts, minerals, and chemicals, will cause environmental harm to the sea, soil, and groundwater if it is not properly treated. Therefore, recovering critical resources from brine is essential for reducing brine disposal. This study aims to apply two hydrometallurgy systems, namely ion exchange and ionic liquid extraction, to circulate rubidium resources from brine. Dowex G26 resin was employed in the ion exchange system, and the adsorption isotherm model and saturated adsorption capacity were explored initially. The optimal parameters such as pH value, L/S ratio (liquid/solid), adsorption period, and adsorption temperature will then be investigated. In the ionic liquid extraction process, the t-BAMBP/C2mimNTf2 system (4-tert-Butyl-2-(α-methylbenzyl) phenol/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyls​ulfonyl)​imide) was used, and the parameters including pH value, concentrations of t-BAMBP, (O + I)/A ratio (organic + ionic liquid/aqueous), extraction time, and extraction temperature will be optimized as well. The results reveal that adsorption capacity and extraction efficiencies were 14.3 mg g− 1 and 86%, respectively. Furthermore, suitable reagents, including HCl and HNO3, were applied to desorb and strip rubidium from the Dowex G26 and t-BAMBP/C2mimNTf2 systems. To sum up, environmental hazards of desalination brine and rubidium resources can be reduced and recovered through the two different extraction systems.

Effect of Fractionation Columns on the Elution of Rare Earth Elements Recovered from Acid Mine Drainage

Rare earth elements (REE) can be found in expressive contents in different secondary sources, such as acid mine drainage (AMD). This work evaluated separation of light and heavy rare earth elements (REE) from an acid mine drainage (AMD) generated in a former uranium mine in Brazil by using ion exchange. This AMD presents pH 3.50, total REE content of 97 mg L−1 and 1.3 g L−1 of sulfate and was used in the REE loading experiments. Loading experiments were carried out in columns using a commercial strong acid cation (SAC) exchange resin. Elution was performed with 0.01 mol L−1 NH4EDTA in systems with one, two and three columns. Regarding the loading step, the resin presented a total loading capacity of 0.58 mmol g−1. The resin proved to be more selective for light REE with adsorption efficiency of 78% and 48% for heavy REE. Regarding elution, high efficiencies between 90 and 100% were achieved for REE. The final REE solution is approximately 10 times more concentrated in the liquor related to the acid mine water. Better fractionation results were achieved for the system with three columns. Although the complete separation of the REE into pure elements was not possible, two distinct fractions of heavy and light REE could be obtained, and La was completely separated from the other REE. In order to improve fractionation and separate the REE into individual ones, the concentrated fractions can proceed to subsequent ion exchange systems.

Determination of technogenic risks when using various water purification technologies

In modern conditions, ensuring the reliability and safety of water supply systems is a primary task for the industrial economy and the safety of life of the population of Ukraine. Constant bombing and damage to critical infrastructure facilities, including water management facilities, endangers the stability and quality of the country's water resources. In this context, conducting research on the identification of man-made risks in water treatment systems using various technologies, as well as developing strategies to increase the reliability and safety of operation of water supply systems are becoming relevant for the industrial sector of Ukraine. In order to increase the reliability of water treatment units and their operational safety, man-made risks were investigated when using ion exchange, electrodialysis, and water distillation technologies at thermal power plants. It is shown that during normal operation of the ion-exchange water purification system with an average productivity of 400 m3/h, in the case of frequent changes in the concentration of salts at the inlet, the risk of receiving underpurified water is 0.0783. This value must be taken into account for the assessment of economic and social-ecological risks, since it exceeds the generally accepted value of 0.01. When using electrodialysis water purification and frequent changes in the concentration of salts at the inlet, the risk of receiving underpurified water is 0.0271. This value is also greater than 0.01 risk accepted as acceptable. The water distillation technology has enough margin to compensate for any deviations in the purification process and gives a very low risk. However, the distillation process is more effective in removing only soluble impurities, while in the case of suspended substances, in particular of organic origin, there is a risk of exceeding the limit of 0.01.

Desalination of oil field produced water using ion exchange system: As a remediation environmental hazard

In this study, a novel integrated ion exchange resin system has been developed to remove salts from hazardous wastewater. Amberlite IR 120 and amberlite IR 400 have been used as the cation exchange and the anion exchange resins respectively which exchange the cations and the anions from the wastewater and consequently make the water free from salts. The adsorption isotherms were studied for both Langmuir and Freundlich models and the adsorption kinetics were established. Amberlite IR 120 and amberlite IR 400 showed excellent adsorption capacities of 161.29 ​mg/g and 233.64 ​mg/g respectively. The regeneration of the resins was also studied and it was found that the resin system could be used multiple times in the desalting process. The resins were further analyzed by FTIR and EDX. The salinity of oil field produced water depends largely on the geochemistry of the producing formations which are harmful or toxic in nature. Thus, this ion exchange resin system can effectively reduce the salinity of the oil field produced water and make it suitable for oil and gas production purposes and various industrial applications.

An integrated physical-chemical system for concurrent carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal in municipal wastewater treatment plants

A substantial quantity of suspended solids (SS) present in municipal wastewater leads to the swift depletion of the ion exchange (IE) capacity of natural zeolites like Clinoptilolite (CIO). This limitation has become the primary factor contributing to the limited adoption of the IE technique within municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, an extensive lab-scale and pilot-scale study conducted over approximately one year has made it possible to efficiently apply the IE system using CIO (main grain size of 0.5–1.0 mm) upstream of the primary sedimentation tank (PST). The primary treated wastewater (PTWW) was introduced to the IE system either by pre-straining or without any pre-treatment. The IE system's capabilities for removing total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and phosphorus (P) while primarily focusing on ammonium (NH4+) recovery were undergone for a detailed investigation. Frequent backwashing, involving intermittent water and air injection, was used to mitigate clogging as the main problem of the IE system for treating PTWW. The results revealed a mean removal efficiency of 85 %, 60 %, 50 %, and 30 % for NH4+, TSS, TCOD, and total phosphorus (TP), respectively, per cycle exclusively for the IE system. As the system scaled up, a substantial reduction was observed in the adsorption capacity, shifting from approximately 12 to 1 g NH4+ (kgCIO)−1. Despite this drawback, the study's finding showed that prolonged treatment of PTWW for NH4+ removal and recovery in municipal WWTPs, besides substantially reducing carbonaceous pollutants, is applicable. Implementing this application will not only decrease the biological treatment costs for municipal wastewater but also yield valuable by-products, such as NH4Cl, which can serve as a foundational material for the production of ammonium chloride fertilizer. Therefore, transitioning to IE systems in municipal WWTPs will diminish the reliance on resource-intensive methods like the Harber-Bosch procedure for producing nitrogen fertilizer.

Magnetic Modification of Ion Exchange Processes

Today, the ion exchange method is widely used in water treatment systems. Ion exchange systems are used to correct the mineral composition of water to the required standards; wastewater treatment; desalination and softening of natural waters. To present day, there are technical solutions to improve the process of water purification, treatment, softening and demineralization. They include: improvement of physical and chemical conditions; intensification of the ion exchange process; use of new ion exchange materials; modification of ion exchange resins; combination with other water treatment methods; modernization of equipment and designs of ion exchange devices. In order to improve the flow conditions and reduce the burden on the environment, it is promising to implement technologies aimed at intensifying the ion exchange process by activating the components of the process. The paper investigates the effect of magnetic modification on the intensification of ion exchange processes during the adjustment of the mineral composition of natural waters. The obtained results demonstrate the influence of the magnetic field on the ion exchange process.

Purification and Quality Control of Recombinant Proteins Expressed in Mammalian Cells: A Practical Review.

In the recent years, there has been a rapid development of new technologies and strategies when it comes to protein purification and quality control (QC), but the basic technologies for these processes go back a long way, with many improvements over the past few decades. The purpose of this chapter is to review these approaches, as well as some other topics such as the advantages and disadvantages of various purification methods for intracellular or extracellular proteins, the most effective and widely used genetically engineered affinity tags, solubility-enhancing tags, and specific proteases for removal of nontarget sequences. Affinity chromatography (AC), like Protein A or G resins for the recovery of antibodies or Fc fusion proteins or immobilized metals for the recovery of histidine-tagged proteins, will be discussed along with other conventional chromatography techniques: ion exchange (IEC), hydrophobic exchange (HEC), mixed mode (MMC), size exclusion (SEC), and ultrafiltration (UF) systems. How to select and combine these different technologies for the purification of any given protein and the minimal criteria for QC characterization of the purity, homogeneity, identity, and integrity of the final product will be presented.

Hybrid desalination system for Baltic Sea water: A preliminary study

The world's water resources predominantly comprise salt water. In the face of forecasts of increasing demand for hydrogen obtained by electrolysis, it is becoming important to investigate the feasibility of seawater desalination. As part of a research project, the possibility of using a hybrid zero liquid discharge (ZLD) desalination system to desalinate seawater from the Baltic Sea was examined. In addition to analysing the operating parameters of the system, a detailed physico-chemical examination of the process water was carried out at each stage of treatment. It was found that the reverse osmosis (RO) and multiple-effect desalination (MED) systems allow sufficient water parameters to be obtained to feed the ion exchange (IX) system, and after deionisation it is possible to achieve the water parameters required by proton exchange membrane (PEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM) and alkaline water (AWE) electrolysers. Furthermore, the possibilities of concentrating brine in the multiple-effect desalination system and extracting salt in solid form in the ZLD system were verified.

Effective Ion Charges in Ion Exchangers and Electrolyte Solutions

Structures, effective numbers of charges and molecular orbitals of ion pairs and representative fragments of a sulfocation exchanger in various ionic forms were calculated by the non-empirical quantum chemical method of LCAO MO. The effective charges of ions in accordance with the principles of the molecular orbital method were fractional values. For contact ion pairs, where the effective ion charges were experimentally measured by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we obtained full agreement with the calculated values. The charge numbers of cations and anions differed in both hydrate-separated and ion-exchange systems due to the fact that the oxygen atoms of hydrated water molecules influenced the formation of molecular orbitals. According to the obtained values of the numbers of charges and interionic distances, the energies of the electrostatic interaction of ions were calculated using the integral form of Coulomb's law. Experimental values of the energies of chemical bonds of counterions and fixed ions were obtained using the conductometric contact-difference method when measuring the specific electrical conductivity of MK-40 cation exchange membranes in the range of 20-50oC and according to the Arrhenius equation. The coordination of experimental and calculated chemical bond energies in the ion exchanger was achieved after the addition of hydrogen bond energy to the electrostatic interaction energy. In order to be able to completely nonempirically calculate the energies of chemical bonds in an ion exchanger, we took the value of the hydrogen bond energy as the excitation energy of the first energy level of deformation vibrations of water molecules having a value of 19.4 kJ/mol. A comparison of the contribution of the electrostatic interaction to the total binding energy of alkali metal cations with a fixed ion showed its small role in ion exchange and membrane transport, so that in the first approximation we can say that the transfer of alkali metal cations is determined by the breaking of the hydrogen bond. For cations of a larger charge (calcium), the electrostatic energy already makes a significant contribution, and for trivalent ions, the energies of the Coulomb interaction and hydrogen bonding are close to each other. The soliton mechanism of translation of the energy of deformation vibrations along a chain of water molecules is considered, which allows explaining the decrease in energy when several hydrogen bonds are broken.

(Invited) Ammonia Electrolysis from Fundamentals to Scale up

Dr. Botte’s research group has been studying the ammonia electrolysis process, for the production of nitrogen and hydrogen from ammonia and ammonia waste streams, from fundamentals in materials for electrocatalysis including computational work, mathematical modeling, optimization studies and microkinetic models combined with hydrodynamic analysis, simulation on parallel plates flow cells to system integration and scale-up in a skid with a stack of 6000 cm2 electrolysis cell, the biggest reported in the literature. In this presentation, we will discuss how the integration of the components have been critical for the evolution of the technology. In addition, results from the most recent prototype of this technology, installed in a wastewater treatment plant in line with a clinocliptolite ion exchange system that capture the ammonia from wastewater and concentrated it prior to the inlet of the electrolyzer, will be discussed. The electrochemical process operates in a polarity pulse mode that allows NH3 conversions above 80% with specific energy consumption of 5.7 kWh kg−1 of NH3-N without considering the energy that can be obtained from the H2.

Study of Na & Ca Exchange Relations and Selectivity Coefficient of Drained Marsh Soils in Southern Iraq

This study was carried out in some soils of dried marshes in the governorates of Basra, Dhi Qar, and Maysan in southern Iraq. The sites for six snodep were selected ifahS-lA, Al-Mashab, Al-Chibayish, Al-Hammar, Al-Azim, and Al-Musharrah. Their coordinates were determined using a GPS device. Through the quantitative calculation of the selectivity coefficient in the ion exchange system according to Gapon (KG)and Vanselow (KV) at the ratios (2:8) and (8:2) sodium-calcium and for concentrations of 100, 200, 400, and 800mmolcliter−1, their coordinates were determined in order to determine the reciprocal relationship between calcium and sodium as well as the extent of selectivity of the study soils for any of the two ions. The results showed that all the soils under study tended towards a preference for calcium by binding at the exchange sites compared to the sodium ion, and it showed a high preference for the study soils for calcium compared to sodium in low salt concentrations preference decreased with increasing salinity. The results of the study for the linear relationship between each of the values of the coefficient of preference (KG and KV) and the clay separation at the different soils of the study showed that there is a highly significant negative correlation (r) (-0.878 and - 0.9516) at the ratio 8:2 sodium: calcium, respectively. While no correlation appeared when studying the relationship between the selectivity coefficient constants (KG and KV) and each of the organic matter and the degree of soil reaction (pH) and lime (CaCO3).

Further functionality targeting the food industry is added to versatile ion-exchange engineering tool

Rolled out more than ten years ago LewaPlus is an intuitive and comprehensive tool that helps engineers plan and design industrial water treatment facilities that use ion exchange and membrane systems. Lanxess AG, the company behind the software, has now added further functionality that targets applications in the food industry. This latest update follows the addition of a module to the software, a year earlier, that covers the industrial treatment of aqueous sugar solutions. Here we look at what the new function does and recap briefly other capabilities that have been added recently.

Film electrode by incorporating polypyrrole/carbon black into cross-linked binders of chitosan/cationic polyacrylamide for selective chloride extraction in wastewater

Water-based binders are usually free of volatile organic compounds and hazardous reagents, which reduces the impact on the environment, and research and development of water-based binders has been progressing in recent years. In order to increase the adhesion and mechanical properties of the composite film electrode, lower the resistance to ion transfer, and improve the adsorption capacity of Cl−, a unique cross-linked aqueous binder composite film electrode was created. The film electrode for the electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) system's Cl− adsorption and desorption was successfully prepared by incorporating polypyrrole (PPy-Cl)/carbon black (C) into chemically cross-linked chitosan (CS) and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) by glutaraldehyde (GA). The film electrode of formulated PPy-Cl/C/CS-c-CPAM had advantages over the film electrode of PPy-Cl/C/PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). The PPy-Cl/C/CS-c-CPAM film electrode had 33.56 mg g−1 adsorption capacity when operated at 0.8 V for the oxidation potential, high selectivity, short adsorption time, and excellent adhesions. CS-c-CPAM composite binders provide a new direction for realizing the superior performance of the film electrodes.

A potential-driven NiO/NiCo LDH film electrode for highly efficient extraction of Br- via electrochemical coordination and anion exchange

A potential-driven nickel oxide/NiCo layered double hydroxide (NiO/NiCo LDH) composite film was deposited within the stainless steel wire mesh, showing excellent Br− extraction in an electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) system. In this composite film, NiO with a high specific surface area and porous structure served as the lower layer to improve the electrical conductivity and ion storage capacity of the film, while NiCo LDH served as the main selective separation layer to selectively adsorb the target Br−. The film electrode extracted Br− up to 159.25 mg·g−1 and the separation factors of Br−/Cl−, Br−/NO3−, and Br−/I− were 2.04, 8.89, and 5.45, respectively. The film electrode showed excellent adsorption–desorption cyclability and electrochemical stability since the NiO increased the binding force and electrical conductivity between NiCo LDH and substrate, and its porous structure accommodated Br−. The highly efficient extraction of Br− in neutral solution was attributed to the electrochemical coordination and interlayer anion exchange sites of NiO/NiCo LDH. This study provided a deep understanding of the ion selective extraction mechanism of LDH-based materials by ESIX technology and the novel electrochemical reaction design of electrodes, which could be used in other fields such as supercapacitors, sensors, and batteries.

In situ stannous reagent generator (SRG): An alternative hexavalent chromium treatment technology in drinking water industry

Access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity for human health. Rock and soil are rich sources of chromium, a metal that is present naturally. Chromium commonly exists in two oxidation states: trivalent chromium (chromium-3, Cr (III), Cr3+) and hexavalent chromium (chromium-6, Cr (VI), Cr6+), in the natural environment, as well as in the water treatment and distribution systems. While Cr (III) is an essential nutrient for humans, Cr (VI) is a dangerous pollutant that can build up in both the environment and the tissues of living things. The Cr (VI) treatment traditionally uses techniques such as electrodialysis reversal, ion exchange, electrochemical, reduction, coagulation, oxidation and filtration systems. Chemical costs, secondary waste production, and unintentional regeneration of Cr (VI) after treatment are difficulties with standard Cr (VI) treatment. In order to remediate Cr (VI) in raw water, this study looks into the in-situ stannous reagent generator (SRG) package as a potential disruptive green technology. SRG was able to reduce roughly 40 parts per billion (ppb) of Cr (VI) to below 1.0 ppb after being installed on a raw water source site for a 10-day trial period. The In Situ SRG technology provides an efficient and safe method for treating Cr (VI) in drinking water, reduces the health risks associated with Cr (VI) exposure by converting it to a less toxic form and reduces chemical handling risks. Reductive Cr (VI) treatment technologies based on the use of stannous tin hold tremendous promise in the future to overcome green-house gas (GHG) emissions and other anthropogenic environmental change, in addition to effectively reducing Cr (VI) in drinking water to the permissible limits and high energy cost challenges. In Situ Stannous Reagent Generator (SRG) technology is designed to convert Cr (VI) to its less toxic trivalent form, Cr (III), which is less harmful and easier to remove from water.

Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis of anion exchange and granular activated carbon systems for remediation of groundwater contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

Anion exchange resin (AER) and granular activated carbon (GAC) have emerged as prominent technologies for treatment of waters contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This study compares the life cycle environmental impacts and life cycle costs of remediating PFAS-contaminated groundwater with these competing technologies, using field pilot data to inform model inputs. Comparative analysis indicates that AER systems employing single-use "PFAS-selective" resins have lower environmental impacts and costs than systems using regenerable resins or GAC adsorbents, supporting its use in future remediation efforts. Use of GAC operated as a single-use adsorbent led to the highest emissions as well as the highest treatment costs, with thermally-reactivated GAC proving to be less impactful than regenerable AER treatment. Sensitivity analyses highlighted the dominance of media usage rate (MUR), which is highly dependent on the selected PFAS treatment goals, to determine environmental impacts and costs over a 30-year system life cycle. Selection of very stringent changeout criteria (e.g., detection of any PFASs in effluent) significantly reduces the advantages of single-use resins. For regenerable AER, environmental impacts were dominated by management of the PFAS-contaminated brine/co-solvent waste stream used to regenerate the adsorbent, as well as the cosolvent content of the regenerant mixture and the cosolvent recovery efficiency achieved via on-site distillation. High impacts estimated for GAC adsorption, the result of high MUR relative to ion exchange media, can be significantly reduced if spent adsorbents are reused after thermal reactivation, but impacts are still greater than those predicted for single-use ion exchange systems. Findings are expected to hold across a range of diverse sites, including drinking water systems treating more dilute sources of PFAS contamination, as PFAS breakthrough was not found to be highly sensitive to sourcewater PFAS concentrations.

Water Molecules' and Lithium Cations' Mobility in Sulfonated Polystyrene Studied by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

The hydration of ions and charge groups controls electro mass transfer through ion exchange systems. The self-diffusion and local mobility of water molecules as well as lithium cations in poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid) and its lithium, sodium and cesium salts were investigated for the first time using pulsed-field gradient NMR (PFG NMR) and NMR relaxation techniques. The temperature dependences of the water molecule and Li+ cation self-diffusion coefficients exhibited increasing self-diffusion activation energy in temperature regions below 0 °C, which is not due to the freezing of parts of the water. The self-diffusion coefficients of water molecules and lithium cations, as measured using PFG NMR, are in good agreement with the self-diffusion coefficients calculated based on Einstein's equation using correlation times obtained from spin-lattice relaxation data. It was shown that macroscopic water molecules' and lithium cations' transfer is controlled by local particles jumping between neighboring sulfonated groups. These results are similar to the behavior of water and cations in sulfonic cation exchanger membranes and resins. It was concluded that polystyrenesulfonic acid is appropriate model of the ionogenic part of membranes based on this polymer.