Electrodialysis for Removal of Ionic Substances During Drinking Water Treatment

Abstract

Recent advances in electrodialysis technology combine energy efficient membranes, advanced spacer design and module engineering. The paper highlights potentials of this technology in drinking water treatment. Various electrodialysis membranes were applied in laboratory tests in relation to their desalination performance. This comparison based on feed waters with different salt concentrations. Moreover, various operational conditions were considered, including current density and overflow velocity. Examinations conducted on a pilot scale electrodialysis plant indicated, that under the conditions of the study energy demand was lower compared to reverse osmosis or nanofiltration. To remove ions from feed waters with a relatively low salt concentration, which are typical for a number of inland feed waters, electrodialysis is regarded as a forward-looking treatment process in drinking water treatment.