Using a microheterogeneous model to assess the applicability of ion-exchange membranes in the process of reverse electrodialysis

Abstract

This paper shows the possibility of using a microheterogeneous model to describe the properties of ion-exchange membranes and calculate the characteristics of a reverse electrodialyzer from the data obtained. We studied the properties of eight samples of heterogeneous cation exchange membranes (two samples of each type of membrane). The samples differed in the year of issue and storage conditions. It is shown that for heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes MK-40 and MA-41, the samples' properties can differ significantly. The counterions transport numbers calculated within the framework of the microheterogeneous model for Ralex membranes differ insignificantly. The counterion transport number in 1 mol/L sodium chloride solution is 0.96 for Ralex CM and 0.98 ± 0.01 for Ralex AMH. For the MK-40 membrane, the transport number in the same solution is 0.94 ± 0.04, and for the MA-41 membrane, it is 0.85 ± 0.1. The possibility of calculating the transport numbers and predicting the open-circuit voltage based on simple physicochemical measurements allows selecting the best membrane pairs for the reverse electrodialysis process. Comparison of the open-circuit potential value calculated using the obtained transfer numbers with experimental data showed that in the case of using Ralex membranes, the difference between the experimental and calculated values is 2%. The calculated value of the open circuit potential was 0.19 V/membrane pair or 1.69 V for the investigated reverse electrodialyzer with nine pair chambers.