In this study, a three-zone carousel process based on a proper molecular imprinted polymer (MIP)
resin was developed for continuous separation of Cu2+ from Mn2+ and Co2+. For this task, the Cu (II)-
imprinted polymer (Cu-MIP) resin was synthesized first and used to pack the chromatographic columns
of a three-zone carousel process. Prior to the experiment of the carousel process based on the Cu-MIP resin
(MIP-carousel process), a series of single-column experiments were performed to estimate the intrinsic
parameters of the three heavy metal ions and to find out the appropriate conditions of regeneration and
re-equilibration. The results from these single-column experiments and the additional computer simulations
were then used for determination of the operating parameters of the MIP-carousel process under
consideration. Based on the determined operating parameters, the MIP-carousel experiments were carried
out. It was confirmed from the experimental results that the proposed MIP-carousel process was
markedly effective in separating Cu2+ from Mn2+ and Co2+ in a continuous mode with high purity and a
relatively small loss. Thus, the MIP-carousel process developed in this study deserves sufficient attention
in materials processing industries or metal-related industries, where the selective separation of heavy
metal ions with the same charge has been a major concern.