The performance of Nafion®424 in the membrane electrolysis of borax solution

Abdullah Zahid Turan; Iffet Yakar Elbeyli; Tahsin Bahar; I. Ersan Kalafatoglu

Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Vol.18, No.3, 1102-1106, May, 2012

DOI10.1016/j.jiec.2011.12.014 Export Citation

The performance of Nafion®424 in the membrane electrolysis of borax solution

Abdullah Zahid Turan, Iffet Yakar Elbeyli^†, Tahsin Bahar, and I. Ersan Kalafatoglu¹

Chemistry Institute, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Gebze, Kocaeli 41470, Turkey
¹Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey

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The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of a monolayer cation exchange membrane (Nafion®424) in the membrane electrolysis of aqueous borax solution. Membrane cell was basically composed of a hydrogen evolving cathode, oxygen evolving anode and Nafion®424. Boric acid solution, sodium hydroxide solution, oxygen and hydrogen gases were produced by continuous electrolysis process. The effects of different catholyte concentrations (10, 20, 30 and 35% NaOH) on the current efficiency were investigated. The electrical power consumption per ton for the production of sodium hydroxide (100%) and boric acid were calculated and the qualities of boric acid products were determined.

Keywords:Membrane electrolysis;Borax;Boric acid;Sodium hydroxide;Nafion®424

[References]

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[1] Hogendoorn JA, van der Veen AJ, van der Stegen JHG, Kuipers JAM, Versteeg GF, Comput. Chem. Eng., 25(9-10), 1251 (2001)

[2] Tolun R, Emir BD, Kalafatoglu IE, Kocakusak S, Yalaz Ors N, US Patent, Patent No. 4,444,633 (1982)

[3] Tolun R, Emir B, Kalafatog˘lu E, Kocakus¸ ak S, Yalaz N, Boric Acid and Sodium hydroxide Production from Tincal Concentrate by Electrolysis Method, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Chemistry Department, Project No: 0718018001, July (1981)

[4] Wang JW, Bejan D, Bunce NJ, Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 4500 (2003)

[5] Kim K, Kim I, Park G, Lee E, Water Res., 41, 303 (2007)

[6] Shin CH, Bae JS, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 15(2), 179 (2009)

[7] Sahin O, Bulutcu AN, Chem. Eng. Process., 41(2), 135 (2002)

[8] Hwang GJ, Ohya H, Nagai T, J. Membr. Sci., 156(1), 61 (1999)

[9] Savari S, Sachdeva S, Kumar A, J. Membr. Sci., 310(1-2), 246 (2008)

[10] ASTM D 570-98, Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics.

[11] Personal communication with ETI Mine Works General Management, on March12 (2011)

[12] Nies NP, Hulbert RW, J. Chem. Eng. Data., 12, 303 (1967)

[13] Du Pont Nafion Membranes Bulletin 94-03 (2005)

[14] Schmittinger P, Florkiewicz L, Curlin LC, Lu¨ ke B, Scannel R, Navin T, Zelfel E, Bartsch R, Chlorine-Membrane Processes, Ullmann’s Encyc. of Industrial Chemistry, sixth ed. (2002)