NOVEED

A novel energy efficient electrodialysis cell to recycle Acids and Bases from industrial process water based on new types of electrodes to enable internal energy recovery

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Within NovEED we will investigate, develop and demonstrate a novel electrocatalytic process based on electrodialysis for the efficient recovery of acids and bases from salt solutions normally discharged at cost. This process is demanded by industrial users of acids and bases, e.g. galvanic industry, metal plating and mining industries, who will be able to regenerate their neutralized solutions to recover fresh acids and bases from their waste rather than through purchase. Through development of a new stack design, process layout and metal foam electrodes with high surface area, plus the inclusion of catalytic coatings, the consortium will demonstrate a process that does not release any gases, unlike SoA electrodialysis processes. With this advantage the NovEED device will avoid all efficiency losses that make SoA processes using external fuel cells expensive and maintenance prone. NovEED will reduce the energy consumption of the electrodialysis process due to the introduction of electrocatalysis to react oxygen generated in the anode to produce water in the cathode. In recovery of sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid this reaction will result in an energy saving of approximately 800 kWh per tonne of each chemical compared to a SoA three membrane ED stack with bipolar membranes. Efficiency will be 80% or more compared to a maximum 50% in SoA applications. We have identified that a market opportunity exists for a cost efficient electrodialysis device that enables industries to recycle used acids and bases to save money and be more environmental friendly. Additionally, the transport and storage of aggressive acids and bases will be decreased making both our streets and industrial areas safer. We anticipate there will be high uptake of this environmentally beneficial new system in industry as it requires no additional effort, and a small initial investment, to achieve significant savings after only 1 years of operation.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An energy-efficient electrodialysis device enabling industries to recycle acids and bases from industrial wastewater is likely to set new eco-friendly standards in the mining industry.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Wastewater effluent produced as a by-product of industrial activities usually requires treatment to neutralise its pH and to remove salts. Acidic water can be neutralised by sodium hydroxide, while an acid like sulphuric acid is used to neutralise alkaline water.

Since these neutralisation reactions produce sodium sulphate salt, the EU-funded http://www.noveed.eu (NOVEED) project aims to recycle the salt back into its acid and base constituents. To do this, researchers are improving on commonly used electrodialysis procedures by adding catalysts to recover sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid from salt solutions.

In electrodialysis, salt ions are separated by applying an electric field to a stack of alternating negatively charged and positively charged exchange membranes placed between two electrodes. Water is split in the process, thus producing sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide from salt ions, as well as hydrogen and oxygen gas by-products.

Since oxygen and hydrogen production results in a voltage drop at the electrodes, using about half of the electrical energy, this is an energy-consuming process. Using a new stack design, process layout and novel electrodes, NOVEED will reduce energy consumption by circumventing the production of gases.

The project's approach is to embed catalysts in the electrodes, which will combine the oxygen and hydrogen to create water again. To achieve this in a cost-effective way, researchers are developing low-cost novel catalysts and characterising novel materials for membranes and electrodes.

Once developed, NOVEED's electrocatalytic technology will be particularly useful in the mining industry or for any processes that need to neutralise wastewater. Enabling industries to recycle used acids and bases will lower costs, result in a cleaner environment, and reduce risky transport and storage of corrosive compounds.