A collection of Resources, News and Technologies from the Water and Wastewater Treatment Industry

Electrodialysis (ED) is a membrane separation process that uses electrical potential to drive the movement of ions through ion-exchange membranes. It's widely used in desalination, industrial wastewater treatment, and food processing. Unlike traditional filtration, ED is energy-efficient and highly selective in removing charged particles.

Over time, a solid layer of fouling—comprising process materials, low-solubility salts, and macromolecular organics—can form on the inner walls of heat exchanger tubes. When this happens, even high-velocity flow inside the tubes becomes insufficient to remove the buildup. This scaling significantly reduces heat transfer efficiency and evaporation capacity. If left untreated, it can lead to decreased evaporation rates and increased pump load on the circulation system.

Electrodialysis (ED) is a game-changer when it comes to separating ions from water using an electric field and ion-exchange membranes. Whether it’s purifying drinking water or recycling industrial effluents, this technology is the backbone of modern water treatment. But here’s the catch — membrane durability can make or break the process.

The pore size of a membrane determines what can and can't pass through. In electrodialysis, this impacts everything from energy efficiency to how well the system removes specific ions. Too big, and unwanted molecules sneak through. Too small, and you may block beneficial ions or reduce flow altogether.

Membrane conductivity is the membrane’s ability to let ions flow through it. The higher the conductivity, the faster and easier ions can travel. And in electrodialysis, faster ion movement means higher efficiency, less energy use, and overall better performance. It’s kind of like upgrading from a gravel road to a smooth highway, everything just moves better.

Clean water is one of the world’s most precious resources, and as industrial demands grow, so does the need for smarter, more efficient treatment technologies. One of the most innovative tools in this field is electrodialysis, which separates charged particles using special membranes. A critical player in this setup is the anionic electrodialysis membrane (AEM), and understanding how it works could unlock huge potential in sustainable water management.