Performance prediction and evaluation of electrodialysis units operating under upset conditions of feed water salinity

Abstract EN

A mathematical model is developed to predict and evaluate the performance of existing eleotrodialysis (ED) units operating under conditions of increased feed water salinity.

Results indicate that when feed water salinity is increased, the product water salinity is adversely affected and the performance of the unit could be severely disrupted.

The results also indicate that design performance can be approached either by increasing the number of stages in a given production line or by operating the unit at reduced flow rates which can be predicted by the model.

Design flow rate and salinity data are the only parameters required by the model which are usually available.

The present formulation is applicable to brackish water desalination for which electrodialysis units are primarily used.

Comparison of computed solutions with experimental results shows good agreement.