Transport and conductivity properties of an advanced cation exchange membrane in concentrated sodium hydroxide

An electrochemical concentrator for application to the chlorine-caustic industry is currently under development. In it 30 to 35 wt % NaOH enters the anolyte and catholyte chambers and exits at 20 and 50 wt %, respectively. Consequently, in support of the electrochemical concentrator development, the conductance and transport properties of advanced cation exchange membranes in concentrated sodium hydroxide, are being investigated. The membrane voltage drop, sodium ion transport and water flux of these membranes in 20 to 35 wt % sodium hydroxide anolyte and 30 to 50 wt % sodium hydroxide catholyte at 75°C are presented. To better understand the behaviour of these membranes, electrolyte sorption measurements were conducted in the anolyte/catholyte environment appropriate for the electrochemical concentrator. The water uptake data appear to correlate well with the conductance data and the combined NaOH and water sorption data are consistent with the sodium ion transport data.