Oral Presentation 7-04

 

Development of a New Wafer Based Process for

Electrodeionization of High Fructose Corn Syrup

 

Michael P. Henry1, Paula R. Moon1, Yupo J. Lin1, Carl D. Landahl1, James R. Frank1,

Seth W. Snyder1, Rathin Datta2, Dennis Burke2, Robert Moore3, James Cornelissen4

 

1Argonne National Laboratory

Chemical and Biological Technology

Energy Systems Division

Argonne, IL 60439

 

2ED Sep, Inc.

 

3The Purolite Company

 

4A. E. Staley

 

Telephone:  (630) 252-7939; Fax:  (630) 252-9281; E-mail:  seth@anl.gov

 

Salt removal can be one of the most energy intensive and costly processes in the chemical, pharmaceutical, agriprocessing, water conditioning, and environmental remediation industries. Typically, salt is removed by ion exchange (IX) columns, which require the use of acids and bases to regenerate the resins — thereby generating a significant amount of chemical waste. Electrodeionization (EDI) has long been recognized as a potential replacement for ion exchange in a variety of processes.  Traditionally EDI has employed loosely packed ion exchange resins placed between ionic membranes and an electrical current is used to drive the salt separation from the desired product. This approach leads to extensive leaking, product loss, and inefficient electrical current utilization. We developed a technology to mold the ion exchange resin into porous wafers, and engineered new EDI flow and sealing systems.  This wafer-based EDI allows rapid separation of the salt with almost no leakage and efficient electrical current utilization.  The new EDI system was demonstrated at the laboratory and pilot scales with dextrose feed. The demonstration revealed desalting performance equivalent to that of commercial ion exchange, with ~ 90% reduction in chemical and process water usage in comparison to IX, and product loss of less than 0.1% (as good or better than IX).  Other applications of wafer-based EDI in process industries are under consideration.

 

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