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Special Issue "Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment"

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A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Surfaces and Interfaces".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2023) | Viewed by 8797

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Prof. Dr. Victor V. Nikonenko

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Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., 350040 Krasnodar, Russia
Interests: ion-exchange membranes; structure-property relationships; transport phenomena; experiment; modelling
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The area of applications of membranes is increasing every year. Membranes are used for the desalination and concentration of solutions, separation/extraction/recovery of certain compounds, energy production, controlled drug release, and other purposes. Irrespective of the context, ion transport is the main phenomenon which underlies the membrane application. Understanding ion transport within membrane(s) and in the surrounding solution(s) is essential for effective use of the membrane. Therefore, the aim of this issue is to take a step toward a better understanding of ion transport in membranes and membrane systems. All kinds of membranes are of interest: ion-exchange membranes, membranes for reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and other electro- and pressure-driven processes, including micro- and nanofluidic systems. Diffusion, migration, and convection, coupling of ion transport with chemical reactions, and concentration polarization are within the scope of the issue. Steady-state and nonstationary models with 1D, 2D, and 3D geometry are welcome. Discussions on the accordance between theoretical and experimental results are encouraged. Of particular interest are new experimental data that provide a fresh insight into the understanding of the behavior of membrane systems, and which can be the basis for future theoretical work.

Prof. Dr. Victor V. Nikonenko
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

ion transport
membrane
modeling
simulation
experiment

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Modified LIX^®84I-Based Polymer Inclusion Membranes for Facilitating the Transport Flux of Cu(II) and Variations of Their Physical–Chemical Characteristics

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Membranes 2023, 13(6), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13060550 - 24 May 2023

Viewed by 227

Abstract

A unique facilitation on the transport flux of Cu(II) was investigated by using modified polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs). LIX^®84I-based polymer inclusion membranes (LIX^®-based PIMs) using poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as support, 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) as plasticizer and Lix84I as carrier were modified by reagents with different polar groups. The modified LIX^®-based PIMs showed an increasing transport flux of Cu(II) with the help of ethanol or Versatic acid 10 modifiers. The metal fluxes with the modified LIX^®-based PIMs were observed varying with the amount of modifiers, and the transmission time was cut by half for the modified LIX^®-based PIM cast with Versatic acid 10. The physical–chemical characteristics of the prepared blank PIMs with different Versatic acid 10 were further characterized by using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), contract angle measurements and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The characterization results indicated that the modified LIX^®-based PIMs cast with Versatic acid 10 appeared to be more hydrophilic with increasing membrane dielectric constant and electrical conductivity that allowed better accessibility of Cu(II) across PIMs. Hence, it was deduced that hydrophilic modification might be a potential method to improve the transport flux of the PIM system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Donnan Dialysis for Recovering Ammonium from Fermentation Solutions Rich in Volatile Fatty Acids

Kayo Santana Barros

Mónica Carvalheira

Bruno Costa Marreiros

Maria Ascensão M. Reis

João Goulão Crespo

Valentín Pérez-Herranz

and

Svetlozar Velizarov

Membranes 2023, 13(3), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13030347 - 17 Mar 2023

Viewed by 743

Abstract

For the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using nitrogen-rich feedstocks (e.g., protein-rich resources), the typical strategy of restricting cell growth as a means to enhance overall PHA productivity by nitrogen limitation is not applicable. In this case, a possible alternative to remove the nitrogen excess (NH₄⁺/NH₃) is by applying membrane separation processes. In the present study, the use of Donnan dialysis to separate ammonium ions from volatile fatty acids present in the media for the production of PHA was evaluated. Synthetic and real feed solutions were used, applying NaCl and HCl receiver solutions separated by commercial cation-exchange membranes. For this specific purpose, Fumasep and Ralex membranes showed better performance than Ionsep. Sorption of ammonium ions occurred in the Ralex membrane, thus intensifying the ammonium extraction. The separation performances with NaCl and HCl as receiver solutions were similar, despite sorption occurring in the Ralex membrane more intensely in the presence of NaCl. Higher volumetric flow rates, NaCl receiver concentrations, and volume ratios of feed:receiver solutions enhanced the degree of ammonium recovery. The application of an external electric potential difference to the two-compartment system did not significantly enhance the rate of ammonium appearance in the receiver solution. The results obtained using a real ammonium-containing solution after fermentation of cheese whey showed that Donnan dialysis can be successfully applied for ammonium recovery from such solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Lactose Mother Liquor Stream Valorisation Using an Effective Electrodialytic Process

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Membranes 2023, 13(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010029 - 26 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1049

Abstract

The integrated electrodialysis (ED) process supports valorisation of a lactose-rich side stream from the dairy industry, creating an important source of milk sugar used in various branches of the industry. This work focuses on the optimization of the downstream processes before the crystallization of lactose. The process line includes a pre-treatment and desalination by ED of the industrial waste solution of the lactose mother liquor (LML). The LML was diluted to 25% total solids to overcome hydraulic issues with the ED desalination process. Two different levels of electrical conductivity reduction (70% and 90%) of the LML solutions were applied to decrease the mineral components and organic acids of the LML samples. The ED performance parameters such as ash transfer rate (J), the specific capacity (C_F) of the ED and specific electric energy consumption (E) were determined and the influence of the LML solution on the monopolar ion-exchange membranes has been investigated. A higher degree of desalination is associated with higher electric energy consumption (by 50%) and lower specific capacity (by 40%). A noticeable decrease (by 12.8%) in the resistance of the anion exchange membranes was measured after the trials whereas the resistance of the cation exchange membranes remained practically unchanged. Any deposition of the alkaline earth metals on the membrane surface was not observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Correlation between Nafion Morphology in Various Dispersion Liquids and Properties of the Cast Membranes

Ekaterina Yu. Safronova

and

Andrey B. Yaroslavtsev

Membranes 2023, 13(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13010013 - 22 Dec 2022

Viewed by 762

Abstract

Nafion is a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer that is most commonly used in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. The processes of pretreatment and formation of such membranes strongly affect their properties. In this work, dispersions of Nafion in various ionic forms and dispersing liquids (ethylene glycol, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and isopropyl alcohol–water mixtures in different ratios) were obtained and studied. Membranes fabricated by casting of the various dispersions were also studied. The effect of the nature of the dispersing liquid and the counterion on the properties of Nafion dispersions, the morphology of the polymer in the dispersions and the characteristics of the membranes obtained from them has been shown. Based on the overall results, it can be concluded that the use of perfluorosulfonic acid dispersions in aprotic polar solvents is advisable for obtaining membranes by the casting procedure. This is because it provides optimal polymer morphology in the dispersion, which leads to the formation of films with good selectivity, mechanical and transport properties. The performed investigations show the relationship between the composition of dispersions, the morphology of the polymer and the properties of the membranes formed from them by the casting procedure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Modeling the Conductivity and Diffusion Permeability of a Track-Etched Membrane Taking into Account a Loose Layer

Vladlen S. Nichka

Semyon A. Mareev

Pavel Yu. Apel

Konstantin G. Sabbatovskiy

Vladimir D. Sobolev

and

Victor V. Nikonenko

Membranes 2022, 12(12), 1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12121283 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 843

Abstract

The microheterogeneous model makes it possible to describe the main transport properties of ion-exchange membranes using a single set of input parameters. This paper describes an adaptation of the microheterogeneous model for describing the electrical conductivity and diffusion permeability of a track-etched membrane (TEM). Usually, the transport parameters of TEMs are evaluated assuming that ion transfer occurs through the solution filling the membrane pores, which are cylindrical and oriented normally to the membrane surface. The version of the microheterogeneous model developed in this paper takes into account the presence of a loose layer, which forms as an intermediate layer between the pore solution and the membrane bulk material during track etching. It is assumed that this layer can be considered as a “gel phase” in the framework of the microheterogeneous model due to the fixed hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, which imparts ion exchange properties to the loose layer. The qualitative and quantitative agreement between the calculated and experimental concentration dependencies of the conductivity and diffusion permeability is discussed. The role of the model input parameters is described in relation to the structural features of the membrane. In particular, the inclination of the pores relative to the surface and their narrowing in the middle part of the membrane can be important for their properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Electrodialysis with Bipolar Membranes for the Generation of NaOH and HCl Solutions from Brines: An Inter-Laboratory Evaluation of Thin and Ultrathin Non-Woven Cloth-Based Ion-Exchange Membranes

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Membranes 2022, 12(12), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12121204 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1353

Abstract

The SEArcularMINE project aims to recover critical raw materials (CRMs) from brines from saltworks, thus facing a CRM shortage within Europe. To promote a fully circular scheme, the project valorises concentrated brines using electrodialysis with bipolar membranes (EDBM) to generate the required amounts of reactants (i.e., acids and bases). Regarding the performances of new non-woven cloth ion-exchange membranes (Suez): (i) an ultra-thin non-woven polyester cloth and (ii) a thin polypropylene cloth acting as the support structures were assessed. Additionally, the anion layer includes a catalyst to promote the water dissociation reaction. The effect of current density (100, 200, and 300 A m⁻²) on the performance of two combinations of membranes in an inter-laboratory exercise using 2 M NaCl was evaluated. According to statistical analysis ANOVA, there was an agreement on the results obtained in both laboratories. NaOH/HCl solutions up to 0.8 M were generated working at 300 A m⁻² using both combinations of membranes. Regarding the performance parameters, stack set-ups incorporating thin polypropylene membranes showed lower specific energy consumption (SEC) and higher specific productivity (SP) than ultra-thin polypropylene ones. Hence, for ultra-thin polypropylene membranes, SEC was reported to be between 2.18 and 1.69 kWh kg⁻¹_NaOH and SP between 974 and 314 kg m⁻² y⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Electric Potential Profiles in a Model Single-Path Electrodialysis Unit

Jan Pagáč

Petr Kovář

and

Zdeněk Slouka

Membranes 2022, 12(11), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12111136 - 12 Nov 2022

Viewed by 747

Abstract

Electrodialysis is an important electromembrane separation process anticipated to play a significant role in developing future technologies. It produces ion-depleted and ion-concentrated product streams, intrinsically suggesting the formation of spatial gradients of relevant quantities. These quantities affect local conditions in an electrodialysis unit. To investigate the spatial distribution of electric potentials, we constructed a model electrodialysis system with a single diluate channel that included ports for inserting reference electrodes measuring potential profiles. We validated our system and measurement methods in a series of control experiments under a solution flow rate of 250 µL/min and current densities between 10 and 52 A/m². The collected data showed that the electric potential in the diluate channel did not change in the vertical direction (direction of gravity force), and only minimally varied in the diluate channel center in the flow direction. Although we could not reconstruct the potential profile within ion-depleted layers due to the resolution of the method, we found appreciable potential variation across the diluate channel. The most significant potential drops were localized on the membranes with the developed ion-depleted zones. Interestingly, these potential drops abruptly increased when we applied current loads, yielding almost complete desalination. The increase in the resistance accompanied by relatively large fluctuations in the measured potential indicated the system transition into limiting and overlimiting regions, and the onset of overlimiting convection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Separation of Chromium (VI), Copper and Zinc: Chemistry of Transport of Metal Ions across Supported Liquid Membrane

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Membranes 2022, 12(7), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12070685 - 01 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1244

Abstract

Prior to applying supported liquid membranes (SLM) with strip dispersion for separation of chromium (VI), copper and zinc, suitable chemical settings were determined through solvent extraction and stripping studies. More than 90% of copper and zinc could be simultaneously extracted with at least 3% (v/v) di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) at a feed equilibrium pH in the range of 3.5–5.0. For stripping, theoretical model equations derived and experimental results revealed that suitable concentrations of lower acid strength reagents can strip metals that have weaker metal-extractant bond without significantly stripping metals that have a stronger metal-extractant bond. Therefore, in a setup comprising three compartments separated by two SLM, we propose to fill the three compartments in the following order: feed—strip dispersion containing low acid strength reagent—strong acid. An organic phase with 4% (v/v) D2EHPA was used. From stripping experiments, 0.2 mol/L pH 3 citrate buffer, which resulted in the highest copper recovery (88.8%) and solution purity (99.0%), was employed as the low acid strength reagent while the strong acid consisted of 1 mol/L sulfuric acid. In 26 h, 99.1% copper was recovered by citrate buffer with 99.8% purity and 95.1% zinc was recovered by sulfuric acid with 98.4% purity. Chromium (VI), copper and zinc could be separated effectively using this separation strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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Open AccessArticle

Economic Benefits of Waste Pickling Solution Valorization

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Membranes 2022, 12(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020114 - 19 Jan 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1095

Abstract

An integrated hybrid membrane process, composed of a diffusion dialysis (DD), a membrane distillation (MD) and a reactive precipitation unit (CSTR), is proposed as a promising solution for the valorization and onsite recycling of pickling waste streams. An economic analysis was performed aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of the developed process with a NPV of about EUR 40,000 and a DPBP of 4 years. The investment and operating costs, as well as the avoided costs and the benefits for the company operating the plant, were analyzed with an extensive cost tracking exercise and through face-to-face contact with manufacturers and sector leaders. A mathematical model was implemented using the gPROMS modelling platform. It is able to simulate steady state operations and run optimization analysis of the process performance. The impact of key operating and design parameters, such as the set-point bath concentration and the DD and MD membrane areas, respectively, was investigated and the optimal arrangement was identified. Finally, operating variables and design parameters were optimized simultaneously in a nonlinear framework as a tradeoff between profitability and environmental impact. We show how the integration of new technologies into the traditional pickling industry could provide a significant benefit for the issues of process sustainability, which are currently pressing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transport in Membranes and Membrane Systems: Modelling and Experiment)

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