Effect of ion exchange dialysis process variables on aluminium permeation using response surface methodology

Abstract

This study investigated aluminum permeation using a counter flow ion exchange dialysis (IED) system. The optimum conditions for permeation were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Effect of four factors- feed concentration (100-2,000 ppm, A), feed flow rate (25-85%, B), sweep concentration (0.25-1 N HCl, C) and sweep flow rate (25-85%, D) were studied using face centered central composite (FC-CCD) statistical experimental design. A RSM model was developed based on the experimental permeation data and the response plot was developed. The FC-CCD model predicted permeation correlated with the experimental data. The regression coefficient (R²) was found to be 0.9568. The experiment showed the ascending order of the effect of the variables is D < B < C < A. In a counter flow IED for Al permeation, the sweep flow rate is insignificant (p > 0.05). Experimental validation demonstrated for target permeation of 70% was 68.8% ± 2.22%. This suggested that the RSM was a suitable tool in optimizing Al-permeation.