The comparison of two different electro- membrane processes' performance for industrial applications

The recovery of bases from solutions containing salt forms of potassium was studied in cells separated by commercial ion exchange membranes. For this aim, two different types of techniques were applied. In the first technique, an equimolar quantity of acid solutions and different metallic salt solutions were used as an anolyte and a catholyte, respectively, in the cell separating with anion exchange membrane (AEM). In the second technique, an equimolar quantity of acid, base solutions, and different metallic salt solutions were used as an anolyte, a catholyte, and a solution in the middle chamber of the cell, respectively, in the cell separating with cation exchange membrane (CEM) and AEM. Effects of the current, the type of the membranes, the concentrations of the solutions, and the type of solutions on the recovery of bases were investigated and both of the techniques were compared. The results of the experiments were evaluated with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.