Nitric acid and sodium hydroxide generation by electrodialysis using bipolar membranes

An electrodialysis process with bipolar membranes was used to generate HNO3 and NaOH from NaNO3 which can be found in industrial waste waters. The current efficiency of this process is limited by proton leakage through the anion exchange membrane (AEM), co-ion leakage through bipolar membranes (BPM) and water transport through the ion exchange membranes. Three cell configurations using three or two compartment cells with different anion or cation exchange membranes (CEM) in stack series were used and compared. Electrodialysis with three compartments gives the best current efficiencies for nitric acid and sodium hydroxide production from sodium nitrate.