Awwa - Edi
Awwa - Edi
Awwa - Edi
Electrodialysis Reversal
MANUAL OF WATER SUPPLY PRACTICES - M38,First Edition
First Edition
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
- M38,First Edition
MANUAL OF WATER SUPPLY PRACTICES
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information or retrieval system,
except in the form of brief excerpts or quotations for review purposes, without the written permission of
the publisher.
11
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
Contents
Preface, v
Acknowledgments, vii
. .
Chapter2 Design , . . . . . . . . . . . . ...., .........,... 13
Components of ED and EDR Design, 13
Staging, 20
Limiting Parameters, 22
Water Recovery, 25
Pretreatment, 2 6
Operating Principles for Design, 29
Posttreatment, 31
Concentrate Disposal, 32
References, 35
Abbreviations, 55
Index, 59
iii
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
AWWA MANUAL
Introduction
Ionic Solutions
An ion is a charged atom, molecule, or radical, the migration of which affects the
transport of electricity through an electrolyte solution. For example, common table
salt is a typical ionic compound. The chemical name for this crystal is sodium
chloride, and the chemical symbol is NaC1. The crystal consists of two types of
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2 ELECTRODIALYSIS
charged atoms, sodium and chloride, that are held together by electrically attractive
forces.
If a crystal of salt is dissolved in water, water molecules will orient themselves
around the charged atoms and nullify the attractive force between them. This is
known as the solution and dissociation (dissolving) of a salt in water. When this
occurs, two electrically charged particles are formed, one with a positive charge
(sodium, represented as Na+) and one with a negative charge (chloride, represented
as C1-).
The subatomic particle responsible for the electrical charge is called an electron.
An electron, by convention, has an assigned charge of negative one (-11. An atom that
accepts an electron during the dissociation process will have a net charge of -1. An
atom that gives up an electron during the process will have a net charge of +l.These
resulting charged particles are ions. The positively charged ions are called cations,
and the negatively charged ions are called anions. These two types of ions are
completely dissociated and mobile in water.
In the same manner as salts, minerals and acids may also dissociate into ions in
solution. Some common ions that may be found in natural water are shown in Table
1-1.Some of the ions listed in Table 1-1have more than one positive or negative
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INTRODUCTION 3
Cations Anions
Sodium (Na+) Chloride (el-)
Calcium (Ca+2) Bicarbonate (HC03-1
Magnesium (Mgt2) Sulfate (SOU2)
Potassium (K+) Nitrate (Nos-)
charge associated with them (e.g., calcium has a charge of +2). In these cases, the ion
has accepted or given up more than a single electron during the dissociation process.
Electrical Conductivity
The most important property of an ionic solution is its ability to conduct electricity.
When two electrodes are connected to a direct current (DC)power supply and
immersed in pure water, no electric current passes between the electrodes because no
ions exist in the solution t o transport the current. In an ionic solution, however, the
dissociated ions transport the electric charge between the two electrodes. The ability
of a solution to carry an electric charge is known as conductivity and is measured in
either micromhos per centimetre (pmhokrn) or microsiemens per centimetre (pS/cm).
Conductivity is affected by the concentration of ions, the ionic composition, and the
temperature of the solution in the following ways:
0 Increasing ion concentration results in increased electric conductivity
0 Smaller ions and those with more than one electric charge tend t o move
conductivity.
The movement of ions in the tank can be controlled by the addition of ion
exchange membranes that form watertight compartments, as shown in Figure 1-3.
The two types of ion exchange membranes used in electrodialysis are
0 anion transfer membranes (A in Figure 1-3), which are electrically conductive
membranes that are water impermeable and allow only negatively charged
ions to pass through
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4 ELECTRODIALYSIS
(+) Anode
Figure 1-3 ion exchange membranes in a n NaCl solution (DC circuit open)
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INTRODUCTION 5
Figure 1-4 DC potential applied across electrodes for an NaCl solution with ion exchange
membrane
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6 ELECTRODIALYSIS
Legend:
C Conductivity Controller
PRV Pressure-Regulating Valve
Legend:
C Conductivity Controller
PRV Pressure-Regulating Valve
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INTRODUCTION 7
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8 ELECTRODIALYSIS
specificity, for example, the ratio of chloride to sulfate ion transport numbers.
Through the use of proper staging, with monovalent and divalent permselective
membranes, the development of high calcium sulfate in the concentrate side of the
membranes can be forestalled and scale formation prevented. Figures 1-7 and 1-8
illustrate.
Figure 1-7 illustrates how a combination of monovalent anion selective
membranes in a first stage, followed by a second stage containing monovalent cation
permselective membranes, can be used to concentrate solutions well past the normal
calcium sulfate solubility limits. In the first stage, no sulfate passes through the
membrane, and so the concentrate is rich in calcium chloride. Rather than passing
this concentrate to stage 2, the stage 2 system concentrate is made up from fresh feed
or another source. Here, the passage of calcium ions is retarded and the concentrate
is rich in sodium sulfate. Neither stage ever exceeds the calcium sulfate solubility
limits. Yet, when the two concentrate streams are combined, together they can far
exceed the calcium sulfate limit. In fact, precipitation can result on mixing.
Figure 1-8 is a detail of the first stage from Figure 1-7 showing the use of a
standard membrane with a monovalent anion permselective membrane. The
concentrate stream is very low in sulfate, about equal to or slightly greater than the
feedwater, while the chloride and sodium concentrations, for example, could be many
times higher than the feedwater. In other schemes, the concentrate can be made up
from a separate water source that is already low in sulfate (for example, reverse
osmosis permeate or ED dilute water) to increase water recovery.
Colloidal particles or slimes that are slightly electronegative may accumulate on
the anion membrane and cause membrane fouling. This problem is common to all
classes of ED systems. These fouling agents are removed by flushing with cleaning
systems.
Control of scale and fouling is critical t o all membrane systems - ED, EDR, RO,
UF, and others. Costs to install, operate, and maintain chemical feed systems as well
Feedwater
Dilute
CaSO,
Concentrate
Figure 1-7 Use of monovalent permselective ED membranes for high recovery (concentration
of calcium sulfate in saturated waters)
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INTRODUCTION 9
as chemical storage facilities can significantly add to the costs of any membrane-
based system.
Electrodialysis Reversal
Electrode compartments in EDR perform differently from those in unidirectional ED.
EDR systems, first developed in the 1960s, incorporate electrical polarity reversal to
control membrane scaling and fouling. These systems are designed to produce
demineralized water continuously without continuous chemical addition during
normal operation.
In EDR systems, the polarity of the electrodes is reversed two to four times each
hour. When polarity is reversed, chemical reactions at the electrodes are reversed. At
the negative electrode, reactions produce hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions. Hydroxide
raises the pH of the water, causing calcium carbonate (CaC03) precipitation. At the
positive electrode, reactions produce acid, oxygen, and some chlorine. The acid tends
to dissolve any calcium carbonate present to inhibit scaling.
Valves in the electrode streams automatically switch flows in the two types of
compartments. Streams that were in demineralizing compartments become concen-
trate streams, and concentrate streams become demineralizing streams, as shown in
Figure 1-9.
Because of the corrosive nature of the anode compartments, electrodes are
constructed of an inert metal, usually platinum coated. The current-reversal process
affects the operation of a membrane system by
0 detaching polarization films
breaking up freshly precipitated scale or seeds of scale before they can cause
damage
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10 ELECTRODIALYSIS
APPLICATIONS
Both ED and EDR are electrically driven membrane processes that selectively remove
soluble ionic constituents carrying electrical charges that pass through permeable ion
exchange membranes. The natural electrical conductivity of water allows ED and
EDR processes to be applied to a wide range of water treatment objectives.
In ED and EDR systems, the membranes are impermeable only to water and to
particles that have a particular characteristic (e.g., a certain charge), so these systems
do not present a barrier to remove bacteria or noncharged organic contaminants. In
contrast, RO, NF, UF, and MF systems filter water through membranes designed to
remove contaminants in the molecular and ionic size ranges, effectively removing
Giardia cysts and enteric viruses. RO can be used in combination with ED and EDR
to remove these contaminants and to further concentrate the waste stream.
0 chromium
0 sodium
0 mercury
0 chloride
copper
0 sulfate
0 uranium
0 fluoride
0 iron
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INTRODUCTION 11
selenium
hardness
barium
bicarbonate
cadmium
strontium
Removal rates for these ionized constituents are similar to TDS removal rates.
In addition to overall TDS reduction, ED and EDR systems effectively treat source
water problems, such as saltwater intrusion; high nitrate-nitrite and selenium levels
from agricultural contamination; high, naturally occurring fluoride levels; and heavy
metals contamination.
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AWWA MANUAL
0
Chapter 2
Design
Membrane Stacks
All ED and EDR systems are designed specifically for a particular application. The
amount of salt to be removed is determined by the configuration of the membrane
stack. This section describes physical components of the membrane stack, which is
the fundamental working unit of an ED or EDR system.
A membrane stack may be oriented in either a horizontal or vertical position.
Figure 2-1 shows a vertical stack. As illustrated in Figure 2-2, the membrane stack is
composed of repeating cation and anion ion exchange membranes (C and A in the
figure, respectively).
13
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14 ELECTRODIALYSIS
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DESIGN 15
The number of cell pairs necessary to achieve a given product water quality is
primarily determined by source water quality. A typical plant with an output of
50,000 gpd (189 m3/d) is equipped with stacks containing 450 to 500 cell pairs.
Figure 2-4 illustrates the flow paths of the two types of streams through the
membrane stack. The flows of these paths are as follows:
1. Source water (feed) flows parallel only through demineralizing
compartments, whereas the cogcentrate stream flows parallel only
through concentrating compartments.
2. As feedwater flows along the membranes, ions are electrically transferred
through membranes from the demineralized stream to the concentrate
stream.
3. Flows from the two electrode compartments do not mix with other
streams. A degasifier vents reaction gases from the electrode waste
stream, as explained later in this chapter.
4. Top and bottom plates are steel blocks that compress the membranes
and spacers to prevent leakage inside the stack.
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16 ELECTRODIALYSIS
Membranes
The ion exchange membranes used in ED are described as either anion transfer or
cation transfer membranes. These membranes are flat with a smooth surface, similar
in appearance to a plastic sheet. Impermeable t o water under pressure, membranes
are reinforced with synthetic fiber. Both anion and cation transfer membranes have
the following characteristics:
low electrical resistance
insolubility in aqueous solutions
semirigid construction for ease of handling
0 resistance to change in pH from 2 t o 9
membranes)
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DESIGN 17
resistance to fouling
impermeability to water under pressure
availability in many sizes and configurations
Each membrane is 0.004 to 0.024 in. (0.1 to 0.6 mm) thick and is either homogeneous
or heterogeneous. Membranes are manufactured by mixing an ion-exchanging resin
with a polymer. The ion exchanger must constitute at least half the polymer mixture.
This mixture is then heated and poured into a supporting open-weave cloth. A
copolymerization reaction takes place when homogeneous membranes are produced.
Dissolved ions transfer through the membrane in either direction.
Cation membrane. The cation membrane is a sheet in which a cation
exchange resin is embedded. This membrane allows the passage of cations while
blocking the passage of water and anions. Negatively charged resin repels the
negative ions while allowing the positive ions to pass through the membrane. Figure
2-5 shows the chemical structure of a typical cation membrane. As feedwater travels
along the membrane, positively charged sodium ions (mobile counter cations) are
attracted toward the negatively charged fixed anion sites. Sodium ions are
transported through the membrane supported by the polymer support structure and
into the concentrate stream.
Anion membrane. The anion membrane is similar in structure to the cation
membrane except that the resin embedded onto the sheet is an anion exchange resin
(Figure 2-6). This membrane allows passage of anions while blocking passage of both
cations and water, The active site on an anion membrane is quaternary ammonia,
which repels positively charged ions and allows negatively charged ions to pass
through the membrane.
Spacers
Spacers are die-cut polypropylene flow channels with manifold cutouts similar to
those for membranes (see Figure 2-7). Manifold cutouts form pipes in the stack
allowing water to flow between membranes. Spacers formulated of polyethylene
netting perform identical functions. Spacers are alternately positioned between
membranes in the stack to create independent flow paths.
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18 ELECTRODIALYSIS
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DESIGN 19
Cross Straps
Water-Flow Spacer
of the water, use of the membrane area, and the transfer of ions. Turbulence resulting
from spacers also breaks up particles or slime on the membrane surface and attracts
ions to the membrane surface. Flow velocity ranges from 35.4 to 68.9 R/s (18 to
35 c d s ) , creating a pressure drop between the inlet and outlet. A velocity less than
7 i d s (18 c d s ) promotes polarization, or the point of limiting density of water.
Maximum pressure for ED and EDR systems is generally limited to 50 psi (345P a ) ,
and pressure is lost at each stage of the system. Since pressure must be maintained
throughout the system, the impact of spacers on pressure is an important design
consideration.
Spacers create flow paths within the membrane stack for demineralized and
concentrated water. Different models and sizes of spacers satisfy specific design
applications. The main difference in spacer models is the number of flow paths, which
determines water velocity across the membrane stack and contact time of the source
water with the membrane. Since water velocity is responsible for the degree of mixing
and the amount of desalting that occurs across membranes, velocity is an important
design parameter for spacer choice. Because the same spacers are used for both
demineralized and concentrated water in EDR systems, the flow rates of both these
streams should be equalized t o prevent high differential pressures across the
membranes (Siwak 1993).
Spacer design and flow velocity are also important parameters in determining
the maximum amount of desalting or the current density (discussed later) at which a
given system can operate.
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20 ELECTRODIALYSIS
STAGI NG
ED and EDR systems are designed to provide the required level of demineralization
by staging the membrane stacks in series. Staging is designed to provide sufficient
membrane area and retention time within the stack to achieve the desired level of
demineralization.
There are two types of staging in ED -hydraulic and electrical. A single ED
hydraulic stage can provide 40 to 67 percent salt removal from source water (Figure
2-9). If a greater level of demineralization is required, additional hydraulic stages are
added in series (one after another). A plant with two hydraulic stages might provide
65 to 85 percent removal, a three-stage plant 80 t o 93 percent removal.
Hydraulic Staging
Hydraulic staging refers to increasing the number of passes the water makes along a
membrane stack in an ED or EDR system. Maximum salt removal for any hydraulic
stage is 50 to 67 percent, depending on the manufacturer, with typical design values
of 40 to 65 percent. Increased salt removal is accomplished by the addition of more
hydraulic stages.
In systems that require higher capacities, additional stages are created by the
addition of more membrane stacks (as shown in Figure 2-9). In small systems,
hydraulic staging can be accomplished in a single stack by using one or more thick
interstage membranes, as shown in Figure 2-10.
Electrical Staging
Electrical staging refers to the number of electrodes in a membrane stack. Normally,
there is only one electrode pair in a membrane stack, but a second independent
electrode pair could be inserted to provide maximum salt removal while avoiding
polarization and hydraulic pressure limitations (which are explained later in this
section). Electrical staging applies independently controlled current to each electrical
stage to remove a certain amount of salt from the source water. Figure 2-11 illustrates
an example of electrical staging.
P,ed Prodcct
Figure 2-9 An ED system with three hydraulic and three electrical stages
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DESIGN 21
Hydraulic Electrode
Stage
1
interstage Membrane
Hydraulic
Stage
2
Interstage Membrane
Hydraulic
Stage
Legend
Electrode - concentrate idet
I
- - - - = demineralizedinlet
Hydraulic Electrode
Staae
Electrical
Stage 1 Interstage Membrane
Hydraulic
Stage
2
Electrodes
Hydraulic
Stage
Electrical 3
Stage 2 Legend
- l
i concentrate inlet
Electrode - --- P demineralizedinlet
C.P. F call pairs
Figure 2-11 Membrane stack with two electrical stages and three hydraulic stages
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22 ELECTRODIALYSIS
LIMITING PARAMETERS
Several limiting parameters, which are discussed in the following paragraphs, need t o
be considered in the design of a successful plant.
polarization areas.
In commercial ED and EDR systems, a value of 70 percent of the limiting
current density is used as the maximum allowable for brackish water operation, as
illustrated in Figure 2-12. This provides a reasonable level of safety in system design.
Cu r rent Leakage
Current leakage is defined as excess electric current at the electrodes that travels
through an adjacent membrane, either a heavy anion or cation membrane, into higher
conductivity water, usually the concentrate. Figure 2-13 illustrates stack shorting or
current leakage, with the electrodes moving into the concentrate, then back toward
the opposite electrode. The dotted line represents the normal movement of an
electrode through the membranes and spaces without current leakage. Excess current
can melt or “burn” the membranes and spacers. Normal design practices limit this
voltage to 80 percent of the current that would cause burning. The limit is determined
by water temperature, source water concentration, membrane stack size, and the
internal manifold that splits flow into concentrate and dilute streams.
Back Diffusion
Back diffusion is the movement of ions from the concentrate stream to the
demineralized stream against the force of the DC current. This occurs when the
concentration ratio between the two streams exceeds 150:l. Methods for preventing
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DESIGN 23
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
24 ELECTRODIALYSIS
back difhsion include decreasing recovery and limiting polarization by lowering the
quantity or quality of product water.
Pressure Drop
The pressure drop through a membrane stack is the sum of the pressure drops
through each hydraulic stage. It is dependent on spacer type, flow rate per stage, and
number of cell pairs in each stage. Spacers from various manufacturers have different
pressure-velocity profiles. For example, systems needing higher removal rates benefit
from using spacers that increase velocity, which increases ion contact with
membranes. Since both ED and EDR are low-pressure systems, usually 50 psi
(345 kPa) maximum at the inlet, and pressure is lost at each stage, providing for
pressure through the entire system is a major design constraint. Changes in the
numbers and types of spacers as well as adjustments to feedwater flow are methods
of managing pressure drop through systems.
Differential Pressure
Differential pressure is the difference in hydraulic pressure between the demineral-
ized stream and the concentrate stream. The pressure of the demineralized stream is
maintained 0.5 t o 1psi (3.4to 6.9 kPa) higher than the concentrate stream to prevent
leakage into the product water stream. Thus, if a leak does occur, it will flow into the
concentrate stream and will not contaminate the product water.
Water Transfer
Although the membranes are virtually impermeable to water, a small amount of
water is electrically transferred through the membranes along with the ions. The
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DESIGN 25
amount of water transferred varies with membrane type, type of ion, and the number
of ions transferred. The higher the salt concentration compared with that of the
product water, the greater the water transfer.
Temperature Limits
Qpical membrane stacks have an upper operating limit for water temperatures of
113°F (45°C). This limit is determined by the low-density polyethylene spacer
material, which becomes less rigid at elevated temperatures. The use of higher-
quality spacers can raise the maximum operational temperature to 140°F (60°C).
WATER RECOVERY
Water recovery is defined as the total amount of water produced from the total
amount of water used. EDR systems offer design options that optimize recovery, as
discussed in this section. Off-specification product recycle, phased reversal, increased
reversal cycle times, or any combination of these functions can be incorporated in
EDR systems to take advantage of a substantial increase in recovery and production
rates at minimal costs. Chemical dosing can further increase recovery rates and lower
waste disposal costs.
Concentrate Recycle
Recirculating the concentrate stream is called concentrate recycle. Flow rates of
concentrate and demineralized water through the membrane stacks are essentially
equal. Without recycling, this equal flow would lead to a recovery of demineralized
water equal to half of the saline water treated. However, in most ED and EDR
systems, the concentrated effluent is recycled to conserve water. When the recycle
stream is eventually sent to waste, the concentration level of eflluent is controlled by
adding an equal volume of source water according to concentrate disposal regulations.
Phased Reversal
Phased reversal (PR) in EDR is based on having independent control of (1)reversal of
the inlet valves, (2) the electrical polarity of each stage (electrodes), and (3) reversal
of the outlet valves. It works as follows: Suppose there are three stages in series. If
the polarity was reversed on all three stages at once, the water contained in those
stages at that instant would not meet product specifications when it flowed out of the
final stage. In other words, three stages’ worth of water would not meet product
specifications. However, if the polarity was reversed on the second stage a certain
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26 ELECTRODIALYSIS
amount of time after reversal on the first stage (to allow all the off-specification water
to finish passing through the first stage), only one stage’s worth of water would not
meet specifications. The timing of the third stage’s polarity reversal would be handled
similarly Thus, the total reversal water is contained in a single stage in the system
instead of through the entire system. PR increases recovery by increasing the amount
of demineralized water produced while keeping the total amount of water consumed
constant. The volume of waste during PR varies fkom 2 t o 4 percent of the product
water volume.
Reversal Frequency
In some cases, membrane scaling in an EDR system can be effectively controlled even
with a reduced polarity reversal frequency. Standard systems use 15 midpolarity
cycle, but some systems can operate with a 30-min cycle. Cutting the frequency of
reversal in half reduces the portion of off-specification water by 50 percent. This
increased net production augments recovery while reducing power consumption.
Chemical Addition
In EDR systems that do not use chemical dosing to prevent scaling, the maximum
allowable concentrate salinity is determined by the calcium sulfate and calcium
carbonate concentrations. If higher recoveries are desired, then chemical dosing is
needed to combat scaling.
As necessary, an antiscalant can be added to control calcium sulfate scaling, and
acid can be used t o control calcium carbonate scaling. Only a small quantity of
antiscalant (1-5 mg/L) is required because the streams are recycled. The saturation
of calcium sulfate can then be increased from 150 percent of its value in the absence
of chemical addition to 275 percent. Acid is required to maintain the LSI at +1.8 in
the concentrate stream for calcium carbonate control.
PRETREATMENT
ED may require some form of source water pretreatment for successful, long-term
operation. Minimal pretreatment includes suspended solids removal by 10-pm
cartridge filtration. Additional pretreatment may be required, such as conventional
coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration, depending on source water quality. ED and
EDR normally require less pretreatment than other membrane processes. Pretreat-
ment methods for typical impurities encountered in source waters are summarized in
Table 2-1.
Turbidity
The efficient operation of ED and EDR requires a source water turbidity level of no
more than 2 ntu. Because surface water turbidities can vary &om 2 to 2,000 ntu,
pretreatment may be required. Sand or multimedia filtration may be necessary to
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DESIGN 27
ED-EDR
Impurity Pretreatment Tolerance Limit
Turbidity Filtration 2 ntu
Iron Oxidation andor filtration 0.3 mg/L
Manganese Oxidation andor filtration 0.1 mg/L
Hydrogen sulfide Oxidation 0.3 mg/L
Chlorine Carbon adsorption 0.5 mg/L (continuous)
or sodium bisulfate
Source: Ionics Inc.
achieve consistently low suspended solids or turbidity levels. Highly turbid sources
may require in-line chemical coagulation and clarification followed by filtration.
Most groundwater sources are consistently free of organic or suspended
turbidity particles, making them suitable for direct ED and EDR treatment. The only
pretreatment normally used with a groundwater source is an in-line 10-ym cartridge
filter that is supplied as part of an ED or EDR system.
Hydrogen Sulfide
A gas detectable by its characteristic “rotten egg” odor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
concentrations can range from 0 to 50 mg/L in groundwater. The ED and EDR
tolerance limit is 0.3 mg/L, with the same recommended pretreatment as that for iron
and manganese removal.
Chlorine
Chlorine may be present in some source waters as residual from upstream bacterial
control. Ion exchange membrane tolerance is 0.5 mg/L for free chlorine on a
continuous basis. Membranes can be disinfected with a short-term dosage of 50 mg/L
chlorine when necessary for bacterial control. Overall chlorine tolerance varies with
membrane material and manufacturer. Typical pretreatment for chlorine removal is
with carbon adsorption or sodium bisulfate.
Scale
The membrane recovery rate, or the percentage of process source water that is
recovered as treated product water, can be limited by the presence of certain salts in
the concentrate stream that can form a scale on the membrane surface. As water
passes through the ED or EDR process, source water salts are removed and
concentrated in the brine stream. The portion of concentrate that is wasted
determines the concentration of salts in the brine or concentrate stream and the rate
of recovery. In other words, repeatedly recycling the brine stream before sending it to
waste creates a high concentration of salts in the brine stream and increases the
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28 ELECTRODIALYSIS
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DESIGN 29
Dissociation
Ions are formed by the dissociation of salts, minerals, alkalies, and acids in water. For
example, sodium chloride dissolves and dissociates in water to form sodium ions (Na')
and chloride ions ((21-1. These ions conduct electricity through the solution. The
conductivity is dependent on the concentration of ions, the ionic composition, and the
temperature of the solution.
Membrane Properties
The most important properties of an ion exchange membrane are ion selectivity (that
is, selection of specific ions for removal) and electrical conductivity Ion selectivity of
cation and anion membranes is greater tsan 90 percent for solutions with a normality
of less than 0.5N up to 0.7N, but ion selectivity decreases at higher concentrations.
Ion exchange membranes that have a low electrical resistance consume less energy,
which increases system efficiency. As the concentration of the solution increases,
resistance decreases.
The organic content of source water is an important factor in membrane
selection. Organic acids, usually present in brackish well water, decrease membrane
efficiency. As they adsorb t o the anion exchange membrane, they increase membrane
resistance and lower ion transfer. The subsequent need for cleaning can be decreased
with the selection of appropriate membranes (Hamada 1993).
Faraday's Law
Faraday's law is the basis for determining the amount of electrical current needed in
an ED process to transfer a specific quantity of salt. It states that the passage of
96,500 A of electric current for 1 s will transfer 1g equivalent of salt. The quantity
96,500 A-s is called a faraday. In a sodium chloride solution, 1 faraday will transfer
1g equivalent of sodium ions to the cathode and 1g equivalent of chloride ions to the
anode at 100 percent current efficiency In other words, in the case of NaCI, the
atomic weight of sodium is 23, which is 1g equivalent. The atomic weight of chloride
is 35. One faraday will transfer 23 g of sodium to the cathode and 35 g of chloride to
the anode.
The following equation forms the basis for calculating the electric current
needed for transferring ions. When used in ED calculations, Faraday's law is
expressed for each cell pair as
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30 ELECTRODIALYSIS
Where:
Ohm's Law
Ohm's law states that the potential E of an electrical system is equal to the product
of current I and the system resistance R. In other words,
E =IxR
Where:
Current Efficiency
Current efficiency refers to the percentage of total current that is effectively
transferring ions. In ED and EDR applications, the current efficiency e for the
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DESIGN 31
POSTTREATMENT
Posttreatment requirements for ED and EDR systems depend on the final type of use
of the product water (i.e., industrial or potable). Each application has different
posttreatment needs.
Industrial users generally have water purity specifications that exceed drinking
water standards. In ED and EDR systems, the only posttreatment normally found is
ion exchange. Mixed-bed ion exchange units remove the remaining ions from the ED
and EDR product water, serving as “polishers”in these high-purity applications.
In municipal or potable water applications, product water must meet both
primary and secondary regulations established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. In
addition, posttreatment is often required for disinfection and corrosion control.
Potable ED and EDR plants are usually equipped with a small chlorinator to
provide the level of disinfection required by federal and local health agencies.
Chlorine is used most frequently to reduce pathogenic microorganisms, with ozone
used for disinfection in some bottling applications.
Because of the corrosive nature of membrane-treated water, a stabilizing agent
may be added to prevent or minimize oxidation of metallic surfaces. The most
common agent is an alkali, such as caustic soda (NaOH) or ammonium hydroxide
(NI&OH), but it may also be a metal complex, such as zinc phosphate (znPo4).The
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
32 ELECTRODIALYSIS
metallic phosphate forms a barrier between the water and any metal surface,
providing a protective coating. The treatment objective is to maintain the LSI around
zero or slightly positive in order to prevent corrosion of pipes.
CONCENTRATE DISPOSAL
Concentrate is defined as the brine or waste stream from the membrane process. The
method selected for concentrate disposal influences the initial cost of the system as
well as operational expenses. This section discusses concentrate disposal methods, as
illustrated in Figure 2-14(Andrews 1991). It is important to note that processes such
as ED and EDR with high recovery rates are associated with increased brine
concentration.
Overview
Concentrate disposal permitting has become a major consideration for membrane
process application as regulatory constraints for disposal of process wastes have
increased. Table 2-2 describes the current required permits for four methods of
disposal discussed in this section - surface water, deep well injection, spray
irrigation, and wastewater treatment facilities.
Pilot studies to predict concentrate quality determine when concentrate
treatment is necessary for disposal. Concentrate quality may also be determined by
ED or EDR
Product
Feed Water
Stream
Stream
Concentrate Stream
for Disposal
Disposal Methods
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
DESIGN 33
means of a diffusion model if operating pressure, source water quality, recovery rate,
and solvent and solute mass transfer coefficients are known (Conlon 1988).
Another factor influencing the selection of a disposal method is the concentrate
flow rate Qc, which is determined from the following equation:
Qc = (l-R)x@
Where:
= (1 - 0.85) x 1.0
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
34 ELECTRODIALYSIS
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
DESIGN 35
REFERENCES
Andrews, L.S. 1991. Disposal Methods and Hamada, Masato. 1993. Brackish Water
Issues of Concentrate Discharges - Desalination by Electrodialysis. Inter-
An Overview. In Proc. of the AWWA national Desalination and Water Reuse
Membrane Conference in Baltimore, Quarterly, 2(4):8-15.
Md. Denver, Colo.: American Water Pontius, Nancy. 1993. Back to Basics Guide
Works Association. to Corrosion Control for Lead and
Conlon, W.J. 1988. Disposal of Concentrate Copper. Denver, Colo American Water
From Membrane Process Plants. In Works Association.
Proc. of the AWWA Membrane Confer Siwak, L.R. 1993. Here’s How Electrodia-
ence in Orlando, Fla. Denver, Colo lysis Reverses and Why EDR Works.
American Water Works Association. International Desalination and Water
Reuse Quarterly, 2(4):16.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
AWWA MANUAL
Chapter 3
Equipment
and Installation
EQUIPMENT SUBSYSTEMS
This section contains a general description of available equipment. ED and EDR
demineralizing systems consist of four subsystems - hydraulic, electrical, membrane
stack, and chemical.
0 corrosion-resistant piping
37
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
Table 3-1 lists one manufacturer’s recommendations for EDR unit sizea and
pump types based on the - 4 pr- capmi@, Systems are available in a
variety of sizes, and mmmendationa may vary among manufactums.
Pumping press- of 50 to 75 psi (345 to 515 kPa) provide adequate pressure
for most systems, once head lass from varying system designs and sizes is taken into
account. The low operating pressures for ED and EDR a y s h n s make it possible b
use standard plastic pipe and fittings as well as other common water treahnent
materials, reducing construction costs as well as wmion problems.
Electrical Subsystem
The major components of an ED or EDR electrical subsystem include
adjustable Dc:power supply
rectifiers to convert alternating current (AC)power to DC power
internal control syshem with controls, reversal timing (EDR d y l , and alarms
Table 3-2provides a sample engineering8-, jncludmg power COaBumption
information, fbr the EDR system used in Buckeye, Ariz. (Carpenter and Geishecker
1989). Since no surface water t available, wells prwide domestic water for Over
4,000 residents (1988).Well water salinity varies b m 1,500 to 4,000 mg/L btd
dissolved solids CTDS), over three times the feded standard,
An ED system implemented in 1962 was the first municipal desatination plant
in Arizona, and it continued to supply water for Buckeye for 20 years. As a result of
population growth and age of equipment, however, the system was replaced in 1988
by two FDR units described in Thble 3-2,which were sized to d o w for a 50 percent
Capacity Unit S u e
500-2,000 gprn 3 R x 2 ft x 4.5 ft Line press- or a i d i a q
(2-8 m3/d) 1 m x 0.7 m x 1.6 m Pumps
4,ooCrU,000gprn 5Rx2.5Rx7R Feed: l h p
(15-42 ms/dl 1.5 rn x 0.75 m x 2 m Concentrate: 1 hp
15,00&52,800 gpm 11 f t x l f t x 10 R Feed: 7.6hp
(-200 m3/d1 3.3 m x 1.2 m x 3 m Concentrate: 5.0 hp
4O,ooCrlOO,OOO gprn 10Rx8Rx10ft Feed: 10.0 hp
I150480 m3/d) 3mx2.5mx3m Concentrate: 7.5 hp
llO,ooCrl6O,OOOgprn 12 R x 17 R x 10 ft F e d 16.0 hp
~40&600 m3/d) 3.5 m x 5 m x 3 m Concentrate: 10.0 hp
lOO,ooe3OO,OOO gpm 32Rx7RxlOR Feed: 30.0 hp
(38&1,150 ms/d) 10mx2mx3m Coacentmte: 15.0hp
250,OO(MOO,000 gprn 37 R x 17 ft x 10 f€ Feed: 60hp*
(1,00&2,400 m3/d) ll.3mx5mx3m Concentrate: 30 hp*
~ , o o ( r l , 2 O O , O O O gprn 37Rx34AxlOft Feed: 50hp*
(2,0#-6,000 m3/d) ll.3 m x 10 m x 3 m Concentrate 30 hf
Table 3-2 Engineering summary for EDR system used In Buckeye, Ark
A B spstem
Number ofplanta 1 1 2
Number of linea per plant 2 3 6
Number of- per line 3 3 3
Source water TDS, mglL 1 m 1,587 lam7
Product water TDS,mglL 246 328 287
concentrate TDS, mglL 6,961 6,623 6,787
Percent salt removal 84.6 79.3 81.9
Product water capacity,gpd 300,000 ~ , 0 0 0 gw000
Source water capacity, gpd 376,000 7so,000 1,l%000
Concentrate capacity,& . 76,000 1M),000 z26,000
Percent water recovery 80.0 80.0 80.0
Source water temperature,"F 80 80 80
co-teLangelier
Saturation index +179 +L73 +1.76
concentrate percent calcium
fluoride (CaFd saturation 214.3 218.4 216.4
'Ibtal electrical consumption,
kWhll,oCn,gal 4.0 3.9 3.95
Dc power consumption,
k W h 11,oOO gal 1.8 1.9 1.85
Pump power consumption,
kWh/l,oCn,gal 2.2 2.0 2 10
Source water WeU water Wen water well water
Pretreatment Not required Not r e q u i d Not requhed
Permeate use Dringing water Drinkbgwater 7*JWater
source: IaniaInC
population growth. Raw water with an average TDS of 1,587 mg/L flowed through
two EDR plants, one treating 300,000 gpd to 246 mglL average TDS, the other
treating 600,OOO gpd to an average of 328 m f i TDS. The product waters h m the
two systems (A and B) were then combined to produce 900,OOO gpd of 287 m&,
average TDS.Plant TDS removals averaged 81.9 percent, and electrical consumption
averaged 4 kW*h per 1,OOO gal (3,785 L) of product water for Buckeye's new water
treatment system.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Assodation All Rights Reserved
.. . .
EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION 41
INSTALLATION
This section provides recommendations concerning the installation of an ED or EDR
system.
Building Details
ED and EDR equipment must be installed in a shelter t o protect it from weather and
blowing dust. In cases where electronic components are exposed to extremely low or
high temperatures, the shelter should have heating or cooling to reduce corrosion and
increase the operating life of the system. The area size required for the installation
will depend on capacity, manufacturer, peripheral equipment, and open space
required for maintenance.
Floor requirements. The building floor, normally made of poured concrete in
accordance with local building codes, should provide adequate drainage for water
discharged from the system during normal operation. The floor should be sloped to
drain, except for the leveled stack area. Concrete should be treated with a
corrosion-resistant epoxy resin coating to withstand the effects of spills.
Drainage. During normal operation, all wastewaters must be drained away
from the unit. This includes brine concentrate, off-specification product, electrode
waste, and neutralized CIP waste. Any incidental spillage or wash-up water should be
collected by the floor drains.
Pipe trenches and racks. Depending on the requirements of the installation,
pipes carrying source water to the unit or product water and wastewater from the
unit can be either laid in trenches under the building floor or supported in overhead
racks. Specific installation requirements should be discussed with the manufacturer.
Equipment servicing. On all sides and at the top of the skid(s) and stack(s),
3 to 5 ft (1 to 1.5 m) of clear space should be allowed for service and maintenance
access.
0 acid solution, for cleaning and scale removal in the stacks and electrode
compartments
0 salts, for cleaning organic deposits from membranes
Equipment Installation
The hydraulic skid is the first item brought into the plant. Once it is properly placed,
it should be leveled. It is necessary to bolt the skid to the floor only if required by local
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
42 ELECTRODIALYSIS
building or seismic codes. After the hydraulic skid is in place, membrane stacks are
installed according to manufacturer specifications. Stack interconnections and piping
are then installed.
Each ED or EDR unit has several piping connections to be installed once the
skid is in place. Piping for source water to the unit and for product water and
wastewaters from the unit must be connected. Piping may be overhead or in pipe
trenches, with all piping and valves made from materials resistant t o corrosion.
Inlet piping should be fitted with a suitable valve and strainer. This valve allows
the operator to change source water flow if inlet pressure is greater or less than the
manufacturer’s recommended limits.
All discharge water pipes installed in the skid are standpipes. These standpipes
prevent the siphoning of water from the ED or EDR unit in standby and regulate
back pressure on the stack(s) for proper plant operation and product water quality
and quantity,
Electrical Connections
A power-supply cable sized for the rating of the ED or EDR unit is brought into the
electrical enclosure and connected t o the main circuit breaker. The AC power supply
(110, 220, 380, 460, 480 V, and 50 or 60 Hz, depending on the system) should have a
separate circuit breaker or isolator in a location away from the unit. A grounding
cable should also be connected to the rear of the electrical enclosure to protect
equipment from stray voltages.
ED and EDR units are normally equipped for automatic operation using a level
control in a product storage tank. Control wiring is installed according to the
manufacturer’s instructions and must consist of a voltage-free contact. No other
external control wiring is required.
COSTING
Source water quality and the amount of electricity are specific cost issues related to
ED or EDR operation, in addition to the general costs associated with any type of
water treatment.
Energy Costs
Both ED and EDR systems consume energy in direct proportion to the concentration
of inorganics in the source water. See Figure 3-3 for a comparison of energy costs
among EDR, the low-pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) membrane, and the
ultra-low-pressure (ULP), or membrane-softening, membrane. The more inorganics to
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION 43
Figure 3-3 Approximate specific power consumption for ultra-low-pressure RO, low-pressure
RO, and electrodialysis reversal systems
be removed, the higher the energy requirement. The cost of treating brackish water
can be estimated based on source water quality data by noting that transferring 1 g
equivalent NaCl requires 26.8 A'h (see the discussion on Faraday's law in chapter 2).
Recovery Rates
Recovery rates for ED and EDR typically exceed 85 percent, depending on source
water scaling salts, and they can be as high as 94 percent. Higher water recovery
rates minimize system blowdown, pretreatment, and wastewater discharge volume in
ED and EDR systems. This low wastewater volume may allow easier permitting and
a smaller waste disposal system. However, smaller volume may concentrate
wastewater contaminants, increasing permit requirements. Generally, low-pressure
pumping, long membrane life, and low energy requirements decrease operations and
maintenance costs in ED systems. EDR systems lower these costs further as a result
of the "self-cleaning" effect of polarity reversal.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
44 ELECTRODIALYSIS
REFERENCES
American Water Works Association. Not yet
published. Reverse Osmosis Manual of
Practice. Denver, Colo.: American
Water Works Association.
Carpenter, F. and E. Geishecker. 1989. A
Quarter Century of Electrodialysis
Desalting: the Buckeye, Arizona, Ex-
perience. In Proc. 108th Annual Con-
ference of AWWA held in Los Angeles,
Calif., July 1989. Denver, Colo.:
American Water Works Association.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
AWWA MANUAL
Chapter 4
0peration
and Maintenance
OPERATION PROCEDURES
Those implementing ED and EDR systems typically need to take into account the
information indicated in Figure 4-1 when selecting a system. The concentrations of
the feedwater constituents, the operating conditions, and recovery associated with a
particular ED or EDR setup are vital considerations. It is important to note that
design conditions may vary among system suppliers.
Most ED and EDR systems are designed with fully automated control systems
for large systems, such as that illustrated in Figure 4-2. Detailed operating
procedures will vary according to system and manufacturer.
Control settings and operating parameters should be checked at least once a day
and logged on the data sheet recommended by the supplier. Trends of system
operation that vary from normal for that system should be noted. Corrective action
necessary to maintain the system within appropriate parameters should be taken
immediately A typical operation log sheet for an EDR unit is shown in Figure 4-3.
Operation requires approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per day for a system that treats
30,000 to 1,000,000 gpd (114 to 3,785 m3/d), The operations log shown in Figure 4-3
applies to a three-stage EDR system with multimedia filters t o filter out contami-
nants down to 20 pm in size. These filters are followed by a cartridge filter ahead of
the membrane stages. Volts and amps are monitored for both anode and cathode at
each polarity for the three stages.
45
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
46 ELECTRODIALYSIS
Feedwater Analysis:
Sodium mg/L
Calcium mglL
Magnesium mg/L
Chloride mg/L
Potassium mg/L
Bicarbonate mg/L
Sulfate mg/L
Nitrate mg/L
Total dissolved solids -mg/L
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 47
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Routine preventive maintenance will ensure efficient operation as well as a long and
reliable service life. Suggested daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance steps
for EDR systems are provided in this section, as well as guidelines for maintaining
specific components.
Daily Maintenance
1. Complete the system log sheet and verify that the operating settings are
correct. Use the operation data sheet form (see Figure 4-3) and systems
log sheet supplied by the vendor.
2. Check electrode stream flowmeters to see that the electrodes are operating
normally.
3. If the pressure drop across the cartridge filter housing is more than 8 to
20 psi (55 to 140 kPa) greater than the operating inlet pressure, replace
the cartridge according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the pressure
difference reaches 15 psi (100 kPa), an alarm condition will appear on the
control panel.
4. Perform the electrode clean-in-place (CIP) procedure, as described later
in this chapter, to maintain the electrode compartments clear of scale.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
48 ELECTRODIALYSIS
Polarity
+
Multimedia 1 In/Out (psi)
Multimedia 2 In/Out (psi)
Feed Pump Discharge (psi)
Cartridge Filter In/Out (psi) I
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 49
Weeldy Maintenance
1. Probe the membrane stacks using the procedure outlined later in this
chapter to detect problems early This procedure will reduce component
damage and replacement costs.
2. Inspect all unit piping, pressure instruments, sample tap fittings, and
tubing for leaks. Repair as necessary.
3. Clean the outsides of the ED or EDR stacks of encrusted salt by washing
them with clean water. The ED or EDR unit must be off while the stack
sides are being wetted down.
4. Inspect the stacks in the area around the electrodes for signs of shorting
or burning. The ED or EDR unit must be off when the stacks are being
inspected or cleaned.
5 . Check that all pressure, differential pressure, and flow-rate instruments
are working properly. All pressures should read zero when the unit is off.
6. Check the oil level on all pumps with automatic oilers.
7. Measure the electrode waste flows twice weekly.
Monthly Maintenance
1. Clean, prime, and repaint any rusted areas of the system cabinets.
2. Check the spare parts inventory and order replacement parts.
3. Check the pump seals for any signs of leakage, and repair them as
necessary.
4. Check the degasifier blower for dirt on the housing and impeller wheel.
5. Perform the CIP procedure as outlined later in this chapter. The
chemicals, frequency, and concentrations may be changed based on plant
needs as operating experience is gained.
Annual Maintenance
1. Remove and inspect the grounding-rod assemblies. If rods are scaled,
clean them by immersing them in half-strength hydrochloric acid. Replace
any damaged or corroded rods.
2. Drain the degasifier tank and flush out any accumulations of scale.
3. Lubricate pump motors as required.
4. Check the operation of the electrode CIP pumps.
5. Check the tightness of all electrical connections.
6. Calibrate all instruments and gauges.
Stack Probing
Probing the stacks should be done weekly to monthly, or as required for
troubleshooting purposes. A stack maintenance log sheet should be used when this
procedure is performed. The operator needs the following equipment t o probe the
stacks: rubber gloves, safety glasses, a utility water hose, a hand-held voltmeter, and
the stack probes. The following procedure requires working on stacks that are
electrically live. The operator should always wear rubber gloves and neuer touch the
side of the stack directly.
Step 1 Stop the ED or EDR unit and wait for the flush cycle to complete.
Step 2 Remove the stack siding. Stack sides must be wet for a stack probe
to be accurate. If the stack sides are encrusted with salt or are dry,
wet the stack with water, paying special attention to the side being
Copyright (C) I999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
50 ELECTRODIALYSIS
probed. The ED or EDR unit must be powered off while the sides of
the stacks are being wetted down.
Step 3 Start the ED or EDR system in local control and wait until the
product conductivity readings are in the normal range.
Step 4 With the stack probes spread slightly apart, press them firmly against
the upper half side of the stack.
Step 5 Switch the range of the voltmeter to “0.10 V DC.” Place one lead on
the top electrode plate and the other on the heavy cation membrane
adjacent to the electrode spacer. This reading should be less than 10 V
A higher reading would indicate the electrode is scaled or worn.
Repeat for the bottom electrode.
Step 6 Place the probes 1in. (25 mm) apart and take readings down the side
of the stack between the electrodes, keeping a constant distance
between the probes. In a normal stack, the meter readings will be
approximately the same.
Step 7 On an EDR system, repeat the probe after the unit has reversed
polarity and product readings are normal.
It is important to note that a stack probe is considered normal if no voltage probe
results in a reading substantially higher than any other probe.
Clean-in-Place Process
The CIP process flushes scale or reversible fouling from the membrane stack and
hydraulic piping. The chemical solution circulated through the stack depends on the
type of contamination. This is a required procedure used in preventive maintenance,
and should be completed according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
The following chemical solutions used in the CIP process are the only chemicals
that should be used for stack cleaning:
Hydrochloric acid solution. Periodic cleaning with a 2 to 5 percent
hydrochloric acid (HC1) solution is the most frequently used method. The solution is
used to remove scale as well as some metal deposits and light dirt. The procedure
requires the use of the CIP tank, deionized water, and hydrochloric acid.
Sodium chloride solution. A 3 to 5 percent NaCl solution removes organic
foulants, which are present in many surface waters, from the membranes. This
procedure requires the CIP tank, deionized water, sodium chloride (food grade),
sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and pH test paper (pH 8.0 to 10.0).
The solution should be at least 3 percent NaCl (0.55Nchloride) and have a pH
between 8.0 and 10.0, adjusted with NaOH. A pH greater than 11 can damage the
anion membrane. This solution should then be circulated through the system. After
the NaCl application, the operator should flush the membranes with HC1 to remove
excess salt.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 51
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting an ED or EDR system requires an understanding of the electrical,
hydraulic, and membrane stack subsystems and their interrelationships. Isolating a
problem to a specific subsystem makes troubleshooting easier. The manufacturer’s
guide can be used to locate and isolate a specific problem.
Readings from the log sheet should be checked against the design conditions to
determine any anomalies. For example, pressure readings not at design levels may
indicate a need for the pressure switches and transmitters to be calibrated.
Correct set points should be maintained on safety devices, such as pressure
switches and conductivity controllers. Incorrect settings will defeat the purpose of the
safety feature and make troubleshooting more difficult.
Alarm Conditions
Manufacturers may install detection systems capable of recognizing critical condi-
tions that will shut down the unit immediately without flushing (i.e., without
allowing the water already in the system to leave the system) and activate a horn.
Typical critical alarms include high feed pressure or concentrate pump pressure.
These conditions could indicate blockage or physical damage to the system. Since
these are low-pressure systems, sudden high pressure could force water through the
membranes and outside the membrane stacks. Under these circumstances, the
normal flushing of the system with clean water to remove concentrate and prevent
fouling, would not take place. Such flushing could increase the pressure within the
system and cause greater damage than an immediate shutdown of the system.
When noncritical alarm conditions occur, the unit will shut down after flushing,
the alarm horn will sound, and an alarm indicator will confirm the specific alarm
condition. Noncritical alarm conditions will not cause damage to the membranes or
components of the system. Typical noncritical alarms include the following:
0 high product conductivity
electrode pressure
0 degasifier pressure
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
52 ELECTRODIALYSIS
SAFETY
Proper operation of an ED or EDR system requires an understanding of the safety
issues involved in electrical operation, chemical handling, and mechanical systems.
Electrical Operation
Equipment shutdown. During normal operation an operator can shut down
the ED or EDR unit by placing the system in manual and pressing the stop-start
button. The unit will then enter a flush cycle. When this cycle is completed, the unit
will be idle. In an emergency, however, the unit should be turned off at the main
circuit breaker because the stopstart button will begin the flush cycle.
Grounding. All ED and EDR systems, including the stacks, should be
connected to an electrical ground of earth potential to prevent electric shock from
stray voltages. If the unit is skid mounted, a separate earth ground should be
attached to the skid. Stacks should then be grounded by a wire to the skid or
electrical cabinet. Grounding cables are provided by the manufacturer and should be
installed so that they are not easily removed.
When equipment is moved, dismantled, or repaired, it is important to make sure
that all electrical ground connections are restored.
High voltage. ED and EDR equipment use high-voltage alternating current
(AC) power. This AC voltage is converted to direct current (DC) by a rectifier for use
in the operation of the membrane stacks. DC voltage should never be applied to the
stacks unless water is flowing through the stacks.
The connecting bolts for the electrode tab should be tight and corrosion free.
Overheating due to loose connections could damage the membrane stack.
DC amperage will rise and fall according to source water temperatures. To save
power and prevent damage to the stack when source water temperatures rise, DC
stack voltages must be lowered until DC amperage returns to normal settings. The
DC stack voltage should not be increased as source water temperatures drop unless
the manufacturer provides specific instructions to do so.
Membrane stack. It is important not to touch the wet stack sides, electrode
plates, or the electrode plate tab connections when the unit is operating. Operators
should always assume that the stacks are electrically alive. Protective clothing, such
as rubber gloves, should always be worn during a stack probe. The equipment should
not be washed down when the power is on.
Electrical panels. All control panels contain live voltage. Some systems are
designed so that the main power must be off before the doors can be opened. Extreme
care must be taken to avoid contact with electrically live components.
Only staff experienced in servicing the control panel should troubleshoot the
panel. Equipment should never be operated with control doors open unless the
cabinet is being repaired. This will protect personnel from electrical hazards and will
also protect the electrical system from dust and water.
Chemical Safety
The degasifier tank separates the dissolved gases from the electrode waste streams.
The system should be vented to the atmosphere at least 1ft (0.3 m) above the highest
peak of the building.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 53
Personnel should always wear protective clothing (rubber gloves, apron, face
shield, goggles, boots, and chemical-protection suit) when handling corrosive solutions
or when working on the chemical pumps and supply lines. In addition, they should
always wash down the work area after handling the chemicals and always clean up
any chemical spills. When acid and water are being mixed, it is important to always
add the acid to the water. Adding water to acid can cause a violent explosion, spraying
acid on the operator.
Mechanical Systems
It is necessary to remove the stack end plates when stack maintenance is being
performed. A hoist should be used since the plate is very heavy It is important to
always move the plate out of the way and set it down on a firm surface before
proceeding.
A centrifugal pump should never be operated with either the discharge or
suction valve closed. This can cause friction to the impeller and heat the trapped
volume of water to a high temperature. If this heated water escapes, it can cause
serious burns.
It is also important never to operate any rotating equipment (specifically pumps,
blowers, or fans) without their protective guards in place.
Copyright (C) 1999 American Water Works Association All Rights Reserved