Studies of the reverse electrodialysis process on an electromembrane apparatus with bipolar membranes

RELEVANCE. In this paper, the process of reverse electrodialysis (RED) using bipolar membranes is studied, aimed at converting the energy of the salinity and pH gradient into electrical energy.
THE PURPOSE was to study the effectiveness of this technology when working with model and industrial solutions, including regenerative waste from thermal power plants.
METHODS. During the experiments, key system parameters such as current density, specific power, internal resistance and efficiency were evaluated, as well as factors affecting plant performance were analyzed.
RESULTS. The results showed that bipolar RED allows not only to generate electricity, but also to produce acids and alkalis due to the dissociation of water in the membranes. The maximum achieved specific power was 3.5 W/m 2 at a current density of 12 A/m2 , and the energy efficiency exceeded 20%. At the same time, industrial solutions have demonstrated characteristics close to the model ones, which confirms the possibility of their use in real conditions. The scientific significance of the work lies in deepening the understanding of electrochemical processes in bipolar membranes and developing methods for optimizing the system. The practical value is associated with the creation of an environmentally friendly technology for waste disposal and simultaneous production of energy and chemical products.
CONCLUSION. The technology has potential for applications in water desalination, hydrogen energy, and the chemical industry, contributing to the transition to sustainable development. The study also revealed the main limitations, such as a narrow range of optimal operating parameters and energy losses due to parasitic processes. Further work should be aimed at increasing the selectivity of the membranes and reducing the internal resistance of the system. In general, bipolar RED represents a promising direction in renewable energy and resource conservation.

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