Osmotic concentration of succinic acid by forward osmosis: Influence of feed solution pH and evaluation of seawater as draw solution

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2017.10.003

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the essential role of feed solution pH so as to gain insights into the transport mechanisms of succinic acid concentration by osmotically-driven forward osmosis (FO) process. FO performances including water flux and bidirectional transport of succinate and chloride anions were systematically examined using cellulose triacetate-based FO membrane. Additionally, real seawater was explored as draw solution. Experimental results revealed that the pH-dependent speciation of succinic acid can affect the FO performances. Ionization of succinic acid at higher solution pH enhanced the osmotic pressure of feed solution, thus leading to lower water flux performance. A strong effect was pointed out on the succinate rejection for which nearly 100% rejections were achieved at pH above its pK_a2 value. The rejection of succinate increased in the following order of chemical form:C₂H₄C₂O₄H₂ < C₂H₄C₂O₄H^- < C₂H₄C₂O₄^2-. With real seawater as the draw solution, low to moderate water fluxes (<4 L·m^-2·h^-1) were observed. The divalent succinate anion was highly retained in the feed side despite differences in the succinic acid feed concentration at pH of approximately 6.90.

Key words: Forward osmosis, Succinic acid, pH, Transport mechanism, Seawater

摘要： In this study, we investigated the essential role of feed solution pH so as to gain insights into the transport mechanisms of succinic acid concentration by osmotically-driven forward osmosis (FO) process. FO performances including water flux and bidirectional transport of succinate and chloride anions were systematically examined using cellulose triacetate-based FO membrane. Additionally, real seawater was explored as draw solution. Experimental results revealed that the pH-dependent speciation of succinic acid can affect the FO performances. Ionization of succinic acid at higher solution pH enhanced the osmotic pressure of feed solution, thus leading to lower water flux performance. A strong effect was pointed out on the succinate rejection for which nearly 100% rejections were achieved at pH above its pK_a2 value. The rejection of succinate increased in the following order of chemical form:C₂H₄C₂O₄H₂ < C₂H₄C₂O₄H^- < C₂H₄C₂O₄^2-. With real seawater as the draw solution, low to moderate water fluxes (<4 L·m^-2·h^-1) were observed. The divalent succinate anion was highly retained in the feed side despite differences in the succinic acid feed concentration at pH of approximately 6.90.

关键词: Forward osmosis, Succinic acid, pH, Transport mechanism, Seawater

Jeng Yih Law, Abdul Wahab Mohammad. Osmotic concentration of succinic acid by forward osmosis: Influence of feed solution pH and evaluation of seawater as draw solution[J]. Chin.J.Chem.Eng., 2018, 26(5): 976-983.

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