Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment
Acid and oxidative resistant cation exchange membrane based on fluorinated polymer (2 sq. m scale) for electrodialysis, electrolysis and other electrochemical processes.
Application/Uses/Problem being addressed
Diversified electro-membrane processes utilizing cation exchange membranes (CEMs) are expensive and require low electricity consumption due to its high conductive and stable nature even in strong acidic or oxidative environment. CEMs are membrane separator used in diversified electro-membrane processes including: electrodialysis (water desalination, separation of inorganics from organic molecules, separation of specific inorganic ion, etc), electrolysis ( used as separator for chlor-alkali process, production of HI by Bunsen reaction of iodine−sulfur (I−S) process, electrochemical catalytic water splitting), electro-electrodialysis for in-situ ion exchange and ion substitution, electro-deionization for producing ultrapure water, and polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications.
Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact
We developed PVDF-co-HFP copolymer based polymeric cation exchange membranes for electrolysis, separation of inorganic salts in aqueous media by electrodialysis, water electrolysis, and also useful for other electro-membrane processes. The cation exchange membrane of this invention showed good stabilities (oxidative and acid), excellent conductivity, permselectivity, and other physicochemical properties such water content and ion exchange capacity, which are essential requirement for high performance during diversified electro-membrane applications in aqueous medium. The methods used to produce reported cation exchange membrane is quite simple and comparably less expensive, which contribute to the overall economy of the process using these ion exchange membranes.
TRL Level & Scale of Development:
-
Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.):
These acid and oxidative resistant cation exchange membranes have practical application in electrodialysis, electrolysis or any other electrochemical processes employing cation exchange membrane as a separator. Reported cation exchange membrane is a cost-effective substitute of costly Nafion® membrane.
Environmental Considerations:
Eco-friendly
Status of Licensing:
Not yet licensedStatus of Commercialization:
Not applicableMajor Raw Materials Needed
PVDF-co-HFP, 2-acryloamido-2-methyl-1-propansulfonic acid, (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane, DMAc, NaOH etc.
Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required
Membrane casting unit, stirrer, vessels etc.
Techno-Economics
Based on membrane area and per day production capacity; Will be available on request
Technology Package
Process for cation exchange membranes (CEMs)
