Model based investigation of the potential lactate recovery using Electro-Enhanced Dialysis - Static analysis

The competitive ion transport through anion exchange membranes under current load conditions, referred to as the electro-enhanced dialysis process, is modeled and investigated through simulations. A dynamic model has been developed for simultaneous transport of multiple ions based on the Nernst–Plank equation.

This model accounts for the convective transport of the dissociated and undissociated species in the module channels, and the diffusion and migration across the boundary layers and membranes. The potential static flux enhancement is evaluated and compared to Donnan dialysis operation for lactate recovery, where lactate fluxes were increased up to 230%.

The effect of the imposed current on the concentration profiles is analyzed. Furthermore, the current saturation condition is investigated for the proposed electro-enhanced dialysis system. Thus, the operating window for current density and inlet hydroxide concentration was defined.