Effect of Process Parameters on Separation Performance of Nitrate by Electrodialysis

Abstract

The electrodialytic separation of nitrate from water was investigated as a function of feed characteristics such as applied voltage, feed flow rate, and nitrate concentration in the solution. The separation performance was evaluated in terms of percent removal of nitrate, process time, and energy consumptions. TS‐1‐10 electrodialysis equipment (Tokuyama) was used in experimental studies. During the unsteady state run of the ED system, both inlet and outlet concentrations of nitrate and conductivities of streams were measured at certain time intervals until the current drops to 0.01 A. It was obtained that the percent removal of nitrate from the solution increased when the concentration of nitrate in the feed solution increased. The operation time became shorter when a high potential was applied.

Keywords:

• Electrodialysis
• nitrate
• water
• separation
• ion exchange membranes

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Ege University Scientific Research Projects (2004 FEN 070 and 2005 FEN 016). We thank Profs. E. Henden and A. Celik for discussions. The kind help of H. Kahveci and O. Ipek during laboratory studies is gratefully acknowledged.