A novel multi-staged radially cross-flow fluidized bed ion-exchanger is developed for controlling dissolved solutes in water. Approximately 40% improvement in mass transfer rate in comparison to that in conventional staged-column is demonstrated. Number of stages in the present column is also fewer by approximately 40%. The enhanced mass transfer rate is attributed due to uniform mixing between fluidized resin particles flowing in radial direction on a stage and water flowing upward through bed-voids. The experimental data demonstrate more than 90% removal of dissolved solutes in water under varying operating conditions of liquid/resin flowrates, number of stages, and stage heights. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.