Towards a model for the electrodialysis of bio-refinery streams

Development of a validated model of the electrodialytic treatment of bio-refinery streams would be invaluable for the techno-economic evaluation of large-scale bio-processes. Here, we outline the systematic development and validation of such a model, capable of providing accurate predictions for a range of solutions from single salts (i.e. potassium chloride at concentrations between 0.13 and 0.77 M), mixtures of simple salts (i.e. potassium and magnesium chloride) at similar concentration ranges, as well as mixtures of salts and organic compounds. In all cases, the model was capable of providing good agreement with experimentally measured concentration and voltage profiles, as well as with measured compartment volumes. Finally, we have examined the modelling of an industrial effluent (containing a complex mixture of salts and organic compounds); again the model was in good agreement with experimental data.