Optimizing Water Desalination with Electrodialysis Technology: A Study on YASA ET’s DESALT Pilot Equipment

Gu Zhouying
4 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Water scarcity is one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges, especially with the increasing demand for clean water in both industrial and residential sectors. As traditional water treatment methods struggle to meet the demand, electrodialysis (ED) has emerged as an efficient and sustainable solution for desalinating brackish water and treating complex industrial effluents. This article explores the performance and advantages of YASA ET’s DESALT electrodialysis equipment, using real-world data from a comprehensive pilot-scale study.

What is Electrodialysis and Why Choose It?

Electrodialysis (ED) is an advanced membrane-based process that uses an electric field to move ions through selective ion-exchange membranes, resulting in the desalination of water or concentration of solutions. Unlike pressure-driven technologies like reverse osmosis (RO), ED provides significant advantages, especially for applications where high salinity or fouling potential exists. ED is especially suited for brackish water desalination, water recovery, and resource recovery projects.

Optimizing Water Desalination with Electrodialysis Technology: A Study on YASA ET’s DESALT Pilot Equipment

The DESALT Pilot System: Innovation in Water Treatment

YASA ET's DESALT Pilot Equipment represents the cutting edge of electrodialysis technology. Designed to operate efficiently at a range of scales, from laboratory studies to industrial applications, this system is equipped with YSF electrodialysis stacks, each comprising ten cell pairs. These stacks utilize a combination of cation-exchange membranes (CEMs) and anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) to selectively transport ions, providing effective desalination of sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions.

Experimental Study of NaCl Electrodialysis Using DESALT Pilot Equipment

Key Features:

Scalable Design: The DESALT pilot system can be scaled up for larger industrial desalination plants.
Real-time Monitoring: The system is equipped with integrated PLC-Modbus interfaces for real-time monitoring of key electrochemical parameters, such as conductivity, current density, temperature, and energy consumption.
High Efficiency: The DESALT system efficiently removes ions from dilute streams while concentrating them in the concentrate compartment, achieving a high degree of separation.

Performance Insights: Real-Time Results

In a recent pilot study, YASA ET’s DESALT unit was used to desalinate a 10 g/L NaCl solution under constant voltage conditions. The results confirmed the technology's efficiency in ion migration and desalination:1. Ion Transport & Conductivity: The dilute stream's conductivity dropped significantly from 15.8 mS/cm to 5.2 mS/cm, indicating effective ion transport and desalination.2. Current Decay & System Resistance: As desalination progressed, the current gradually decreased from 45 mA/cm² to 18 mA/cm², highlighting the increasing system resistance due to ion depletion.3. Energy Consumption: The cumulative energy consumption rose steadily as the concentration gradient increased, demonstrating the system's growing energy demands in the later stages of desalination.

Advantages of YASA ET’s DESALT Electrodialysis Equipment

Energy Efficiency: As shown in the study, while energy consumption rises as the process continues, electrodialysis offers a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional desalination methods, particularly when dealing with high-salinity water.
Scalability: The DESALT system is highly scalable, making it ideal for a wide range of applications—from pilot testing to full-scale industrial deployment.
Operational Stability: The DESALT system demonstrated excellent operational stability, with minimal fluctuations in key performance parameters, even during prolonged experiments.
Minimal Environmental Impact: By utilizing electrodialysis, industries can significantly reduce energy costs and environmental impact compared to conventional desalination technologies like RO, which require high pressures and substantial energy input.

Applications of Electrodialysis Technology

YASA ET’s DESALT equipment can be applied in various industries, including:

Brackish Water Desalination: Efficiently treating water sources with high salinity levels.
Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Particularly effective for industries dealing with high-salinity and complex effluents.
Resource Recovery: Electrodialysis can help recover valuable ions and chemicals from wastewater, supporting sustainable industrial processes.

Conclusion: The Future of Water Treatment with Electrodialysis

The study of NaCl desalination using YASA ET’s DESALT pilot equipment offers valuable insights into the practical performance of electrodialysis systems. It proves that ED is a robust and efficient solution for desalinating water, with significant potential for scaling up to industrial applications. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly urgent issue worldwide, technologies like electrodialysis will play a critical role in ensuring the availability of clean water for future generations.

For industries seeking an innovative, energy-efficient water treatment solution, YASA ET’s DESALT electrodialysis system offers the perfect balance of performance, scalability, and environmental sustainability.