Contact
    Start Publications Influence of acid/base activation treatment in the performance ...
    ←  Publication Finder
    Attension

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

    Year: 2020

    Journal: Chemosphere, Volume 248, JUN

    Authors: Lejarazu-Larranaga, Amaia; Molina, Serena; Manuel Ortiz, Juan; Riccardelli, Gerardo; Garcia-Calvo, Eloy

    Organizations: INREMEM (Innovation in Membrane Recycling) [CTM2015-65348-C2-1-R]; INREMEM 2.0 (Hybrid wastewater treatments based on recycled membranes with the objective of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) [RTI2018-096042-B-C21]; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICINN); European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)European Commission; FPISpanish Government [BES-2016-076244]; AEI/FEDER, UE [CTM2015-74695-JIN]; E3TECH Excellence Network (MCIUN, Spain) [CTQ2017-90659-REDT]

    Keywords: Membrane recycling; Circular economy; Membrane activation treatment; Ion exchange membrane; Electrical resistance; Electrodialysis

    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. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
    View publication