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.