Name: Ricleto C. Espinosa Jr.

Course: EnE 215 Date: June 17, 2023

RICLETO C. ESPINOSA JR.

17/06/2023

1: ULTRAFILTRATION

a. In this study, ultrafiltration was employed as a pretreatment step for the purification of Poultry
Slaughterhouse Wastewater (PSWW). The relevance of each step in the ultrafiltration process is as
follows:
1. Membrane Selection: The choice of membrane material is crucial for efficient ultrafiltration.
The membrane's properties determine its selectivity and permeability, allowing it to retain larger
molecules while allowing smaller molecules and water to pass through.
2. Operation Parameters: Setting of correct parameters ensure proper filtration and maintain a
consistent membrane flux. Monitoring the membrane flux is essential to identify any decrease
in performance and take appropriate actions to restore it.
3. Flux Restoration: Over time, the membrane flux may decrease due to fouling or blockage by
contaminants. Sequential washing with DI water, sodium hydroxide solution, bleach, and
phosphoric acid helped remove fouling substances and improve the membrane performance.

b. The ultrafilter, feed and product of ultrafiltration as described in the study are as follows:
Ultrafilter: The ultrafilter is a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane with a molecular weight cut-off
(MWCO) of 30,000 Da, operated at a pH of 1–11, primarily used for industrial wastewater, and operated
at a temperature of 55°C.
Feed and Product: The feed refers to the Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater (PSWW) that undergoes
ultrafiltration. It contains various pollutants, including organic compounds and suspended solids. While
the product from ultrafiltration is referred to as the "UF permeate." Below is the table showing the
properties of the Discharge Stage Water and UF Permeate.

c. The effectiveness of ultrafiltration in the described study was evaluated based on the permeate flux
and permeate quality. The results showed that the ultrafiltration process reduced 36.7% of Chemical
Oxygen Demand (COD), 12.1% of Total Nitrogen (TN), and 38.9% of Total Phosphorus (TP) in the
PSWW. Additionally, it achieved removal efficiencies of 24.7% for Total Solids (TS), 14.5% for Total
Volatile Solids (TVS), and 27.3% for Total Fixed Solids (TFS). This project did not achieve high
removal efficiency compared to previous research for the PES UF membrane because the PSWW
collected already went through conventional wastewater treatment, which removed most organic
compounds.

d. If this ultrafilter is no longer available, an alternative recommendation would be the MK (PES

30,000Da) industrial UF Membrane by Synder Filtration. This membrane shares the same PES
membrane type and has a similar MWCO of 30,000 Da. However, there are a few important differences
to consider. The MK membrane has a maximum continuing operation temperature of 50°C, which is
lower compared to the previous ultrafilter. This means that the wastewater temperature should be 5°C
lower temperature compared to the water in the study before passing through the UF membrane.
Additionally, the pH range of the MK membrane is specified as 2–11 which is a narrower range
compared to the one in the study which is 1–11. Below is a link to the spec sheet of the product:
https://synderfiltration.com/2014/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MK-PES-30kD-Industrial-Specsheet.pdf

2. REVERSE OSMOSIS

a. Pretreatment and RO System Configuration:

Since the feed water pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.5, while the operating pH of most RO systems ranges from
6.5 to 7.0, I would suggest a pretreatment of adding HCL to lower the pH of the feed water. I would
also suggest having an ultrafiltration system prior to the RO system to remove suspended solids,
turbidity, and other particulate matter from the brackish water before it goes to the RO system.
Membrane Type: For the membrane type, I would suggest using Thin-Film Composite (TFC)
membranes because they are commonly used in RO systems due to their high rejection capabilities and
efficiency which offer improved salt rejection and durability compared to cellulose acetate membranes.
System Recovery Rate: For this, I would suggest having a moderate recovery rate (around 50-60%) to
balance water production and system performance.
For the brackish water composition input in the software, I used the data supplied in the class discussion
examples as reference expect for the given values of salinity, pH, and temperature.

b. Energy Efficiency:
If the power supply is only coming from solar panels, we should consider getting energy storage such
as batteries to store the excess energy not used by the system and use it during the times when there is
not enough sunlight. We should also opt for energy-efficient pumps and motors with high-efficiency
ratings and consider incorporating energy recovery devices like pressure exchangers or energy recovery
turbines.

c. Concentrate Disposal:
I would suggest to use of recovered salts in various industrial applications as it is a beneficial approach
for concentrate disposal that can minimize environmental impact. Firstly, it promotes resource
conservation by reducing the need for extracting new raw materials. Secondly, it effectively minimizes
waste generation, contributing to efficient waste management practices. Thirdly, it leads to lower energy
consumption by avoiding the energy-intensive production of salts from scratch. Additionally, it offers
potential cost savings by eliminating the need to purchase new salts. Lastly, it prioritizes environmental
protection by preventing the release of salts into the environment and demonstrating a commitment to
sustainable practices.

d. Cost-effectiveness:
After performing an economic analysis in IMS Design, I found out that the capital cost required for this
RO system is around $22,150.00. The maintenance is 3% of investment and the water cost is $0.57 per
cubic meter considering a membrane life of 5 years and a plant life of 15 years.

3. DIALYSIS AND ELECTRODIALYSIS

a. Factors Affecting Electrodialysis Performance:

Feed Water Composition: Ions, pH, and conductivity in the feed water impact system efficiency. High
concentrations of certain ions cause scaling, while foulants or organic matter hinder ion transport.
Temperature: Higher temperatures increase ion transport rates, but excessive temperatures can lead to
membrane degradation or water evaporation.
Current Density: Higher current densities enhance ion transport but may increase power consumption
and generate undesired byproducts.
Membrane Properties: Ion selectivity, thickness, and surface charge of membranes affect separation
and fouling tendencies. Higher selectivity and surface charges reduce fouling.

b. Pretreatment Requirements for Feed Water:

Filtration: Filtration techniques, such as microfiltration or ultrafiltration, remove suspended solids,
particulate matter, and larger colloidal particles from the feed water.
Reverse Osmosis (RO): RO is often used to remove dissolved solids and hardness from the feed water,
improving the efficiency and lifespan of electrodialysis membranes.
pH Adjustment: pH adjustment can be employed to control the solubility of certain ions, prevent
scaling or precipitation, and optimize the ion removal efficiency during electrodialysis.

c. Energy Requirements and Efficiency:

Electrodialysis systems rely on energy for the separation process, primarily through power consumption
to drive the electric current. The energy efficiency of the system depends on factors such as current
efficiency, voltage, and membrane resistance [1]. To improve energy efficiency, two strategies can be
employed:
Bipolar Membranes: Utilizing bipolar membranes can reduce energy consumption by allowing water
splitting to occur within the membrane itself. This eliminates the need for external electrolysis cells,
enabling the simultaneous production of acid and base without separate electrode compartments [2].
Applied Voltage Optimization: By carefully optimizing the applied voltage, a balance can be achieved
between achieving the desired ion removal rates and minimizing energy consumption. Controlling the
voltage effectively can help reduce power requirements without compromising the overall efficiency of
the process [3].
A study also found that the conductivity of ion-exchange membranes can be improved by using
percolating network nanocomposite ion-exchange membranes, resulting in improved energy efficiency
[4]. Another study found that a new strategy called "saving the gradient" (i.e., lowering the discharge
current in the first stage) increased the gross overall performance of multistage reverse electrodialysis
for enhanced energy recovery from river water and seawater [5].

d. Potential Applications of Electrodialysis:

While electrodialysis is commonly used for desalination and salt production, it has potential
applications in water treatment beyond desalination. According to a systematic review of studies on
electrodialysis applications in wastewater treatment, electrodialysis can be used for nutrient removal,
heavy metal recovery, and acid/base production [6].
Nutrient Removal: Electrodialysis can be used to selectively remove specific ions, such as nitrates or
phosphates, from wastewater or agricultural runoff, aiding in nutrient removal and pollution control.
Heavy Metal Recovery: Electrodialysis can facilitate the selective separation and recovery of heavy
metal ions from industrial wastewater streams, allowing for their subsequent treatment or reuse.
Acid/Base Production: Electrodialysis can be utilized for the production of acids or bases by
selectively transporting ions across the membranes, enabling the generation of valuable chemical
products.
Electrodialysis can also be used for re-demineralization of boiler feed and desalination of contaminated
water in industrial water processing [6]. Some of the other applications of electrodialysis include table
salt production, wine stabilization, whey demineralization, and pickling bath recovery [7].

e. The case study I choose is entitled “Electrodialysis reversal as an alternative treatment for producing
drinking water from brackish river water: A case study in the dry season, northeastern Brazil” by Caio
Cezar Neves Kunrath et al., published in 2020. This paper discusses the Electrodialysis Reversal (EDR)
as a promising technology for treating brackish water, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and
salinity challenges.
Design Considerations:
One of the key factors that influenced the design of the EDR system was the poor water quality of the
Almada River. The water exhibited high conductivity, surpassing permissible limits for drinking water.
Additionally, concentrations of sodium and chloride were significantly higher than recommended
levels, underscoring the need for effective treatment.
Minimizing energy consumption was another critical consideration to ensure the feasibility and cost-
effectiveness of the EDR system. The project aimed to optimize energy requirements while achieving
the desired treatment outcomes.
Furthermore, the project prioritized a high water recovery rate of 80% to maximize the production of
treated water and minimize the volume of concentrated solution that would need to be discharged.
System Performance:
To determine the maximum electric current density that avoids concentration polarization in the EDR
system, current-voltage curves (CVC) were generated. These curves provided valuable insights into the
system's behavior and allowed for the identification of the limiting current density.
Two tests were conducted as part of the EDR treatment process. Test 1 utilized 80% of the limiting
current, while Test 2 used 50% of the limiting current. Both tests lasted 192 hours, with periodic polarity
reversion to ensure optimal performance.
The EDR system demonstrated remarkable efficiency in removing ions, particularly sodium and
chloride, achieving impressive removal rates ranging from 70% to 80%. Moreover, throughout the
treatment process, pH levels remained stable and within the acceptable limits for drinking water.
Energy consumption calculations revealed varying requirements, with Test 1 ranging from 1.06
kWh/m3 to 2.6 kWh/m3 and Test 2 ranging from 0.66 kWh/m3 to 1.7 kWh/m3. Test 2, characterized
by lower electric current, showcased reduced energy consumption, enhancing the overall cost-
effectiveness of the system.
Outcomes:
The project provided compelling evidence of the feasibility and effectiveness of EDR as a treatment
method for brackish water in the Almada River Basin. The system successfully reduced ion
concentrations, meeting regulatory standards, while simultaneously maintaining stable pH levels
throughout the treatment process.
Compared to other desalination methods, EDR exhibited superior energy efficiency, particularly for
water with total dissolved solids below 2000 ppm. The project's cost analysis estimated the treatment
cost, including energy consumption and equipment depreciation, at approximately U$ 0.28/m³,
highlighting the cost-effectiveness of implementing EDR for brackish water treatment.
Moreover, the integration of EDR with conventional water treatment plants as a polishing step proved
to be a practical approach. By complementing pre-treatment processes such as sieving, disinfection,
flocculation, and filtration, EDR ensured the removal of high-concentration ions, resulting in improved
overall water quality.

4. ION EXCHANGE
a. Equilibrium Curve and Operating Line
The feed solution contains 203.46 ppm CaCO3, convert this to % then to g/ml:

Calculate Cal1:

The equilibrium curve is obtained from the equation:

The operating line passes by the origin and intersects the equilibrium curve at caL = 0.20328
**Cal**

**Cas**
b. Graphical Integration

The breakpoint is defined by the allowable CaO concentration of 10 mg/L CaO.

The saturation point is defined to be 95% of fee concentration.

Sources:
1. Lee, H.-J., & Strathmann, H. (2006). Determination of the limiting current density in
electrodialysis desalination as an empirical function of linear velocity. Journal of Membrane
Science, 276(1–2), 126–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2005.08.004
2. Ben Sik Ali, M., Ben Amor, M., & Dhahbi, M. (2018). Evaluation of Electrodialysis
Desalination Performance of Novel Bioinspired and Conventional Ion Exchange Membranes
with Sodium Chloride Feed Solutions. Membranes, 11(3), 217.
https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11030217
3. Karimi, L., & Ghassemi, A. (2016). An empirical/theoretical model with dimensionless
numbers to predict the performance of electrodialysis systems on the basis of operating
conditions. Water Research, 98, 270–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.04.014
4. Electrodialysis - (n.d.). In ScienceDirect Topics: Polygeneration with Polystorage for Chemical
and Energy Hubs, 2019.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/electrodialysis
5. Bureau of Reclamation, US Department of Interior (2019), Improved Energy Efficiency of
Electrodialysis Desalination and Separation: Development of Percolating Network
Nanocomposite Ion-Exchange Membranes for High Conductivity. Reclamation.
https://www.usbr.gov/research/dwpr/reportpdfs/report212.pdf
6. Li, J., Li, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Electrodialysis Applications in Wastewater Treatment for
Environmental Protection and Resources Recovery: A Systematic Review on Progress and
Perspectives. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 1-16.
https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10070146
7. Electrodialysis - an overview. (n.d.). In ScienceDirect Topics. Retrieved May 30, 2023,
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/electrodialysis
8. Caio Cezar Neves Kunrath et al., (2020). Electrodialysis reversal as an alternative treatment for
producing drinking water from brackish river water: A case study in the dry season, northeastern
Brazil. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 8, 103719.