Ionic mass transfer rate of CuSO4 in electrodialysis

Ionic mass transfer rate of copper ion in the ion exchange membrane electrodialysis at limiting current density has been studied using a planar flow electrodialyzer consisted of a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane. Their effective area is 4 × 5 cm². The effects of flow rate, viscosity of electrodialysate solution and thickness of electrodialyzer to the ionic mass transfer rate have been studied. An empirical correlation equation (Nu)_exp. = 4.57 × Re^0.333 Sc^0.307 (de/L)^O.33 is obtained. It fitted well with the theoretical performance equation (NU)_theor.= 3.70 × (Re · Sc · de/L), which is derived from the Nernst-Planck Equation based on the assumption that mass transfer in the concentration boundary layer in the desalting compartment is controlling.