Transport of acids through polyether-sulfone anion-exchange membrane

Diffusion dialysis of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid into water with a polyether-sulfone anion-exchange membrane was studied. Transport of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid through the membrane has been quantified by diffusion coefficients and mass transfer coefficients. The mass transfer coefficients were investigated as a function of the rotational speed of the stirring rate of both sides of the membrane and with different pH ranges. It was observed that the diffusion dialysis seems to be dependent on the rotational speed of the stirrer; in contrast, the membrane mass transfer coefficients are independent of rotational speed, but they are slightly affected by the initial acid concentration in donor phase. © 2001 Academic Press.