Influence of Dispersed Carbon Particles in Solution on the Diffusion Mass Transfer through an Ion–Exchange Membranes

The effect of activated carbon microparticles (ranging in size from 0.045 mm to 1 mm) dispersed in solution on the diffusion mass transfer through MK-40 and MA-41 ion-exchange membranes investigated experimentally. Various particle size fractions obtained through fractionation, as well as two types of activated carbon—birch-based and coconut-based—differing in their physicochemical and electrokinetic properties, were studied. It was shown that the introduction of carbon particles into the solution significantly increases the diffusion flux through the membranes. A relationship was established between the change in the diffusion permeability coefficient and the concentration of carbon particles in the solution, in the range from 0.1 to 2 g/L, enabling a quantitative assessment of each carbon type’s contribution to mass transfer through the membrane. In addition, it was found that the presence of phenol in the solution reduces the effectiveness of activated carbon, particularly for fine particle fractions. The results of this work may be useful for optimizing combined wastewater treatment methods involving sorption and electrodialysis processes.

ion-exchange membrane, activated carbon, diffusion mass transfer, adsorption, electrodialysis