Influence of acid/base activation treatment in the performance of recycled electromembrane for fresh water production by electrodialysis

Lejarazu-Larrañaga, A. and Molina, S. and Ortiz, J.M. and Riccardelli, G. and García-Calvo, E. (2020) Influence of acid/base activation treatment in the performance of recycled electromembrane for fresh water production by electrodialysis. Chemosphere, 248 (126027). ISSN 00456535

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126027

Abstract

In this study, an activation treatment for recycled anion exchange membranes is proposed. Following the circular economy approach, these membranes were prepared by using end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes as mechanical support. The end-of-life membrane was previously used and discarded by desalination plants after overcoming its lifespan. The activation treatment was based on the subsequent immersion of the membranes in diluted acid and alkali solutions. This treatment promoted the complete dissociation of the functional groups in the membrane, making them more reactive to the counter ions. The effects of acid and alkali concentrations and exposition times on the electrochemical properties were studied and the best combination was selected. In such a way, a decrease of 37 % in membrane electrical resistance was achieved. The performance of activated and non-activated membranes in brackish water desalination by electrodialysis was compared. The results showed that the proposed activation treatment increased the flux of fresh water more than four-fold (from 1.2 to 4.9 L•h-1•m-2), with a considerable reduction of energy consumption (from 5.2 to 3.0 kWh•m-3) and a great improvement in current efficiency (from 38 % to 71 %). In conclusion, this work shows a simple and low cost methodology for the improvement of the electrochemical properties of recycled electromembranes and thus, their performance in electrodialysis.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Membrane recycling, circular economy, membrane activation treatment, ion exchange membrane, electrical resistance, electrodialysis
Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
Depositing User: Users 646 not found.
Date Deposited: 04 Feb 2020 15:02
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2020 08:47
URI: http://eprints.imdea-agua.org:13000/id/eprint/1142

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