Effect of acid-base solutions used in acid-base compartments for simultaneous recovery of lithium and boron from aqueous solution using bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED)

Application of bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) for simultaneous separation and recovery of lithium and boron from aqueous solution was investigated using Astom Acilyzer EX3B model ED device. In the laboratory scale experiments performed, effects of acid and base solutions types and their concentrations employed in acid and base compartments, electrical potential applied on process efficiency were investigated. The results showed that separations and recoveries of both boron and lithium were effective when 0.05 M HCl and 0.05 M NaOH solutions have been used in acid and base compartments, respectively. The percent separations of boron and lithium were 86.9% and 94.7%, respectively, while their respective recoveries were 50% and 62% at 30 V. The maximum separation and recovery values for boron and lithium were obtained when a 30 V of electrical potential was applied. With optimal initial acid and base concentrations (0.05 M) used in acid and base compartments, the specific power consumption (SPC) was calculated as 7.9 kWh/m(3) at 30 V.