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In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes

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A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Analysis and Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2020) | Viewed by 38663

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Prof. Dr. Lasâad Dammak

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Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE), UMR 7182 CNRS, Université Paris-Est, 2 Rue Henri Dunant, 94320 Thiais, France
Interests: ion-exchange membrane; dialysis; electrodialysis; membrane characterization; fouling; scaling; antifouling strategies; microstructure modeling; water treatment
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Prof. Dr. Natalia Pismenskaya

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Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., 350040 Krasnodar, Russia
Interests: ion exchange membranes (monopoler, bipoler) and processes (electrodialysis, dialisis, etc.); transport phenomena in systems with ion exchange membranes (IEMs); concentration polarization, limiting current, coupled phenomena of concentration polarization (water splitting, electroconvection, gravitation convection, etc.); chemical reactions coupled with ions transfer in ampholyte (phosphates, ammonium, aminoacids, proteins, etc.) contaning IEM systems; IEMs fouling; IEM modification; IEM characterization (specific electrical conductivity, diffusion permeability, perselectivity, transport numbers, structure–properties relationship, current–voltage characteristics, chronopotentiommetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, mass transfer characteristics, etc.); experimental techniques development for IEM and membrane system investigation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) has accelerated over the past two decades in a wide variety of industrial processes (electrodialysis, electro-electrodialysis, electrolysis, dialysis, etc.) for applications related to chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, energy production, water treatments, etc. Organic and mineral fouling (or scaling) phenomena are two major factors limiting the efficiencies of IEMs processes and performances (reduction of the IEMs selectivity and stability, increase of their electrical resistance, deduction of the energy efficiency of the process, etc.) leading to significant economic losses. The current washing, cleaning and sterilization processes (anti-fouling treatments) make it possible to recover some of the IEMs performances, but frequently induce degradation on the membrane material.

In this Special Issue, authors are invited to submit original articles and reviews on the subject of fouling and anti-fouling of ion-exchange membranes. The contributions may concern (i) characterization of the used IEMs, (ii) extraction and identification of the fouling and scaling materials both on the surface and in the membrane, (iii) development of fouling and scaling mechanisms, (iv) proposition of new sustainable solutions to improve the anti-fouling properties of IEMs, etc.

Dr. Lasâad Dammak
Prof. Dr. Natalia Pismenskaya
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Ion-exchange membrane
Fouling and Scaling
Anti-fouling

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 220 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes

by Lasâad Dammak and Natalia Pismenskaya

Membranes 2021, 11(12), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11120962 - 7 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2517

Abstract

This work is a synthesis of several in-depth studies on fouling and antifouling phenomena of ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

Research

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17 pages, 5222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Anion-Exchange Membrane AMX-Sb Fouled by Red Wine Components

by Anton Kozmai, Veronika Sarapulova, Mikhail Sharafan, Karina Melkonian, Tatiana Rusinova, Yana Kozmai, Natalia Pismenskaya, Lasaad Dammak and Victor Nikonenko

Membranes 2021, 11(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11010002 - 22 Dec 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3934

Abstract

The broad possibilities of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for assessing the capacitance of interphase boundaries; the resistance and thickness of the foulant layer were shown by the example of AMX-Sb membrane contacted with red wine from one side and 0.02 M sodium chloride solution from the other side. This enabled us to determine to what extent foulants affect the electrical resistance of ion-exchange membranes, the ohmic resistance and the thickness of diffusion layers, the intensity of water splitting, and the electroconvection in under- and over-limiting current modes. It was established that short-term (10 h) contact of the AMX-Sb membrane with wine reduces the water-splitting due to the screening of fixed groups on the membrane surface by wine components. On the contrary, biofouling, which develops upon a longer membrane operation, enhances water splitting, due to the formation of a bipolar structure on the AMX-Sb surface. This bipolar structure is composed of a positively charged surface of anion-exchange membrane and negatively charged outer membranes of microorganisms. Using optical microscopy and microbiological analysis, it was found that more intense biofouling is observed on the AMX-Sb surface, that has not been in contacted with wine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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17 pages, 4389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Flow Rate and Pulsed Electric Field Current Mode on Protein Fouling Formation during Bipolar Membrane Electroacidification of Skim Milk

by Vladlen S. Nichka, Thibaud R. Geoffroy, Victor Nikonenko and Laurent Bazinet

Membranes 2020, 10(9), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090200 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

Fouling is one of the major problems in electrodialysis. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of five different solution flow rates (corresponding to Reynolds numbers of 162, 242, 323, 404 and 485) combined with the use of pulsed electric field (PEF) current mode on protein fouling of bipolar membrane (BPM) during electrodialysis with bipolar membranes (EDBM) of skim milk. The application of PEF prevented the fouling formation by proteins on the cationic interface of the BPM almost completely, regardless of the flow rate or Reynolds number. Indeed, under PEF mode of current the weight of protein fouling was negligible in comparison with CC current mode (0.07 ± 0.08 mg/cm² versus 5.56 ± 2.40 mg/cm²). When a continuous current (CC) mode was applied, Reynolds number equals or higher than 323 corresponded to a minimal value of protein fouling of BPM. This positive effect of both increasing the flow rate and using PEF is due to the facts that during pauses, the solution flow flushes the accumulated protein from the membrane while in the same time there is a decrease in concentration polarization (CP) and consequently decrease in H⁺ generation at the cationic interface of the BPM, minimizing fouling formation and accumulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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14 pages, 4626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Surface Modification of MK-40 Membrane with Polyaniline on Scale Formation under Electrodialysis

by Marina A. Andreeva, Natalia V. Loza, Natalia D. Pis’menskaya, Lasaad Dammak and Christian Larchet

Membranes 2020, 10(7), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10070145 - 7 Jul 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2859

Abstract

A comprehensive study of the polyaniline influence on mineral scaling on the surface of the heterogeneous MK-40 sulfocationite membrane under electrodialysis has been conducted. Current-voltage curves and chronopotentiograms have been obtained and analyzed for the pristine MK-40 membrane and the MK-40 membrane which is surface-modified by polyaniline. The study of the electrochemical behavior of membranes has been accompanied by the simultaneous control of the pH of the solution outcoming from the desalination compartment. The mixture of Na₂CO₃, KCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂ is used as a model salt solution. Two limiting states are observed on the current-voltage curve of the surface-modified membrane. There is the first pseudo-limiting state in the range of small values of the potential drop. The second limiting current is comparable with that of the limiting current for the pristine membrane. It is shown that chronopotentiometry cannot be used as a self-sufficient method for membrane scaling identification on the surface-modified membrane at high currents. A mineral scale on the surfaces of the studied membranes has been found by scanning electron microscopy. The amount of precipitate is higher in the case of the surface-modified membrane compared with the pristine one. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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36 pages, 4275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Performance of Electrodialysis in the Removal of the Most Potent Odor-Active Compounds of Herring Milt Hydrolysate: Focus on Ion-Exchange Membrane Fouling and Water Dissociation as Limiting Process Conditions

by Sarah Todeschini, Véronique Perreault, Charles Goulet, Mélanie Bouchard, Pascal Dubé, Yvan Boutin and Laurent Bazinet

Membranes 2020, 10(6), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10060127 - 20 Jun 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3293

Abstract

Herring milt hydrolysate (HMH), like many fish products, presents the drawback to be associated with off-flavors. As odor is an important criterion, an effective deodorization method targeting the volatile compounds responsible for off-flavors needs to be developed. The potential of electrodialysis (ED) to remove the 15 volatile compounds identified, in the first part of this work, for their main contribution to the odor of HMH, as well as trimethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine oxide, was assessed by testing the impact of both hydrolysate pH (4 and 7) and current conditions (no current vs. current applied). The ED performance was compared with that of a deaerator by assessing three hydrolysate pH values (4, 7 and 10). The initial pH of HMH had a huge impact on the targeted compounds, while ED had no effect. The fouling formation, resulting from electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between HMH constituents and ion-exchange membranes (IEM); the occurrence of water dissociation on IEM interfaces, due to the reaching of the limiting current density; and the presence of water dissociation catalyzers were considered as the major limiting process conditions. The deaerator treatment on hydrolysate at pH 7 and its alkalization until pH 10 led to the best removal of odorant compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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21 pages, 5836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Development of Electroconvection at the Surface of a Heterogeneous Cation-Exchange Membrane Modified with Perfluorosulfonic Acid Polymer Film Containing Titanium Oxide

by Violetta Gil, Mikhail Porozhnyy, Olesya Rybalkina, Dmitrii Butylskii and Natalia Pismenskaya

Membranes 2020, 10(6), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10060125 - 17 Jun 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2636

Abstract

One way to enhance mass transfer and reduce fouling in wastewater electrodialysis is stimulation of electroconvective mixing of the solution adjoining membranes by modifying their surfaces. Several samples were prepared by casting the perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer film doped with TiO₂ nanoparticles onto the surface of the heterogeneous cation-exchange membrane MK-40. It is found that changes in surface characteristics conditioned by such modification lead to an increase in the limiting current density due to the stimulation of electroconvection, which develops according to the mechanism of electroosmosis of the first kind. The greatest increase in the current compared to the pristine membrane can be obtained by modification with the film being 20 μm thick and containing 3 wt% of TiO₂. The sample containing 6 wt% of TiO₂ provides higher mass transfer in overlimiting current modes due to the development of nonequilibrium electroconvection. A 1.5-fold increase in the thickness of the modifying film reduces the positive effect of introducing TiO₂ nanoparticles due to (1) partial shielding of the nanoparticles on the surface of the modified membrane; (2) a decrease in the tangential component of the electric force, which affects the development of electroconvection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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16 pages, 3627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A 2D Convection-Diffusion Model of Anodic Oxidation of Organic Compounds Mediated by Hydroxyl Radicals Using Porous Reactive Electrochemical Membrane

by Ekaterina Skolotneva, Clement Trellu, Marc Cretin and Semyon Mareev

Membranes 2020, 10(5), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10050102 - 16 May 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4062

Abstract

In recent years, electrochemical methods utilizing reactive electrochemical membranes (REM) have been considered as a promising technology for efficient degradation and mineralization of organic compounds in natural, industrial and municipal wastewaters. In this paper, we propose a two-dimensional (2D) convection-diffusion-reaction model concerning the transport and reaction of organic species with hydroxyl radicals generated at a TiO_x REM operated in flow-through mode. It allows the determination of unknown parameters of the system by treatment of experimental data and predicts the behavior of the electrolysis setup. There is a good agreement in the calculated and experimental degradation rate of a model pollutant at different permeate fluxes and current densities. The model also provides an understanding of the current density distribution over an electrically heterogeneous surface and its effect on the distribution profile of hydroxyl radicals and diluted species. It was shown that the percentage of the removal of paracetamol increases with decreasing the pore radius and/or increasing the porosity. The effect becomes more pronounced as the current density increases. The model highlights how convection, diffusion and reaction limitations have to be taken into consideration for understanding the effectiveness of the process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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12 pages, 1881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Study on Enzymatic-Based Cleaning of Cation-Exchange Membranes Used in Electrodialysis System in Red Wine Production

by Myriam Bdiri, Asma Bensghaier, Lobna Chaabane, Anton Kozmai, Lassaad Baklouti and Christian Larchet

Membranes 2019, 9(9), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes9090114 - 3 Sep 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4147

Abstract

The use of enzymatic agents as biological solutions for cleaning ion-exchange membranes fouled by organic compounds during electrodialysis (ED) treatments in the food industry could be an interesting alternative to chemical cleanings implemented at an industrial scale. This paper is focused on testing the cleaning efficiency of three enzyme classes (β-glucanase, protease, and polyphenol oxidase) chosen for their specific actions on polysaccharides, proteins, and phenolic compounds, respectively, fouled on a homogeneous cation-exchange membrane (referred CMX-Sb) used for tartaric stabilization of red wine by ED in industry. First, enzymatic cleaning tests were performed using each enzyme solution separately with two different concentrations (0.1 and 1.0 g/L) at different incubation temperatures (30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 °C). The evolution of membrane parameters (electrical conductivity, ion-exchange capacity, and contact angle) was determined to estimate the efficiency of the membrane′s principal action as well as its side activities. Based on these tests, we determined the optimal operating conditions for optimal recovery of the studied characteristics. Then, cleaning with three successive enzyme solutions or the use of two enzymes simultaneously in an enzyme mixture were tested taking into account the optimal conditions of their enzymatic activity (concentration, temperatures, and pH). This study led to significant results, indicating effective external and internal cleaning by the studied enzymes (a recovery of at least 25% of the electrical conductivity, 14% of the ion-exchange capacity, and 12% of the contact angle), and demonstrated the presence of possible enzyme combinations for the enhancement of the global cleaning efficiency or reducing cleaning durations. These results prove, for the first time, the applicability of enzymatic cleanings to membranes, the inertia of their action towards polymer matrix to the extent that the choice of enzymes is specific to the fouling substrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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Review

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30 pages, 5108 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Review on Ion-Exchange Membranes Fouling during Electrodialysis Process in Food Industry, Part 2: Influence on Transport Properties and Electrochemical Characteristics, Cleaning and Its Consequences

by Natalia Pismenskaya, Myriam Bdiri, Veronika Sarapulova, Anton Kozmai, Julie Fouilloux, Lassaad Baklouti, Christian Larchet, Estelle Renard and Lasâad Dammak

Membranes 2021, 11(11), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110811 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5351

Abstract

Ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are increasingly used in dialysis and electrodialysis processes for the extraction, fractionation and concentration of valuable components, as well as reagent-free control of liquid media pH in the food industry. Fouling of IEMs is specific compared to that observed in the case of reverse or direct osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and other membrane processes. This specificity is determined by the high concentration of fixed groups in IEMs, as well as by the phenomena inherent only in electromembrane processes, i.e., induced by an electric field. This review analyzes modern scientific publications on the effect of foulants (mainly typical for the dairy, wine and fruit juice industries) on the structural, transport, mass transfer, and electrochemical characteristics of cation-exchange and anion-exchange membranes. The relationship between the nature of the foulant and the structure, physicochemical, transport properties and behavior of ion-exchange membranes in an electric field is analyzed using experimental data (ion exchange capacity, water content, conductivity, diffusion permeability, limiting current density, water splitting, electroconvection, etc.) and modern mathematical models. The implications of traditional chemical cleaning are taken into account in this analysis and modern non-destructive membrane cleaning methods are discussed. Finally, challenges for the near future were identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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37 pages, 32302 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

A Review on Ion-Exchange Membrane Fouling during the Electrodialysis Process in the Food Industry, Part 1: Types, Effects, Characterization Methods, Fouling Mechanisms and Interactions

by Lasâad Dammak, Julie Fouilloux, Myriam Bdiri, Christian Larchet, Estelle Renard, Lassaad Baklouti, Veronika Sarapulova, Anton Kozmai and Natalia Pismenskaya

Membranes 2021, 11(10), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11100789 - 16 Oct 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6227

Abstract

Electrodialysis (ED) was first established for water desalination and is still highly recommended in this field for its high water recovery, long lifetime and acceptable electricity consumption. Today, thanks to technological progress in ED processes and the emergence of new ion-exchange membranes (IEMs), ED has been extended to many other applications in the food industry. This expansion of uses has also generated several problems such as IEMs’ lifetime limitation due to different ageing phenomena (because of organic and/or mineral compounds). The current commercial IEMs show excellent performance in ED processes; however, organic foulants such as proteins, surfactants, polyphenols or other natural organic matters can adhere on their surface (especially when using anion-exchange membranes: AEMs) forming a colloid layer or can infiltrate the membrane matrix, which leads to the increase in electrical resistance, resulting in higher energy consumption, lower water recovery, loss of membrane permselectivity and current efficiency as well as lifetime limitation. If these aspects are not sufficiently controlled and mastered, the use and the efficiency of ED processes will be limited since, it will no longer be competitive or profitable compared to other separation methods. In this work we reviewed a significant amount of recent scientific publications, research and reviews studying the phenomena of IEM fouling during the ED process in food industry with a special focus on the last decade. We first classified the different types of fouling according to the most commonly used classifications. Then, the fouling effects, the characterization methods and techniques as well as the different fouling mechanisms and interactions as well as their influence on IEM matrix and fixed groups were presented, analyzed, discussed and illustrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth on the Fouling and Antifouling of Ion-Exchange Membranes)

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