화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.544, 195-207, 2017
An investigation through the validation of the electrochemical methods used for bipolar membranes characterization
Four types of bipolar membranes (BMs) with different structural properties were subjected to various electrochemical methods including current-voltage curve, (CVC) chronopotentiometry, and impedance spectroscopy, to be characterized in terms of selectivity, energy consumption and the water splitting capability. Then the bipolar membranes were used in two kinds of electrodialysis modules, lab scale and pilot unit, for acid and base production. The produced acid and base were analyzed to calculate the product purity, energy consumption and current efficiency of each bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED). The results obtained with electrodialysis coincided with those of electrochemical methods, indicating that even though the electrochemical methods are rather fast and easy to perform, they are quite reliable. Furthermore the impact of structural properties of each BM on its efficiency was investigated. It was figured out that the reinforcing of a heterogeneous BM improves its properties while the increase in the ion exchange resin content on each layer of the heterogeneous BMs was not resulted in any significant enhancement of BM properties. The investigated homogenous membrane showed higher selectivity and less energy consumption compared to the heterogeneous BMs.