Bipolar membrane electrodialysis for the alkalinization of ethanolamine salts

Bipolar membrane electrodialysis for the production of organic bases, in contrast to organic acids, has received little attention in the scientific literature. In the present work we have investigated and compared different membrane configurations for the alkalinization of monoethanolamine salts into the organic base monoethanolamine. A current utilization of only 36% has been obtained for a two compartment configuration with bipolar and anion-exchange membranes. Proton tunneling through the anion-exchange membrane has been identified as the main reason for this relatively low current utilization. Minimizing proton tunneling by employing proton blocking anion-exchange membranes and using a three compartment configuration, the current utilization could be increased to 80%. This bipolar membrane configuration acts as a concentration step as well. A MEA concentration of 32 wt% in the base compartment could be achieved. A disadvantage of the three compartment configuration is the relatively high unit cell potential drop of 3.1 V at a current density of 1000 A m−2 using a compartment thickness of 0.75 mm.

► Bipolar membrane electrodialysis can be used to convert monoethanolamine chloride into alkaline monoethanolamine.
► With a two compartment setup using an anion-exchange membrane the current utilization is only 36%.
► A current utilization of 80% can be achieved using a three-compartment setup.
► MEA concentrations of up to 32 wt% can be achieved using the three-compartment setup.
► Power consumption is approximately 1.7 kWh/kg MEA.