Low-reagent selective extraction of ammonia nitrogenfrom wastewater: optimization of the current mode of bipolarelectrodialysis coupled with a liquid-liquid membrane contactor

Kseniia V. Brizhan; Veronika V. Sarapulova; Natalia D. Pismenskaya

doi:10.17308/kcmf.2026.28/13979

Authors

Kseniia V. Brizhan Kuban State University, 149, Stavropolskaya ul., Krasnodar 350040, Russian Federation
Veronika V. Sarapulova Kuban State University, 149, Stavropolskaya ul., Krasnodar 350040, Russian Federation
Natalia D. Pismenskaya Kuban State University, 149, Stavropolskaya ul., Krasnodar 350040, Russian Federation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17308/kcmf.2026.28/13979

Keywords:

Ammonia nitrogen, Wastewater, Liquid-liquid membrane contactor, Electrodialysis, Bipolar membrane

Abstract

Objectives: Liquid-liquid membrane contactors (LLMC) with gas-permeable membranes are promising systems for the single-stage selective removal of ammonia nitrogen from multicomponent wastewater. A drawback of these systems is the need to dose concentrated solutions of acid and alkali to maintain the desired pH in the LLMC streams. The use of bipolar electrodialysis (BMED) reduces the amount of reagents. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the feasibility of effectively using bipolar electrodialysis in a combined LLMC + BMED process at current densities significantly lower than those currently used.

Experimental: The studies were conducted using a dual-loop laboratory LLMC containing hydrophobic hollow fiber gas permeable membranes made of polysulfone and a laboratory BMED with a two-compartment unit cell consisting of alternating Ralex CMH PES cation-exchange membranes and TWEDBp-1 or Neosepta Bp-1 bipolar membranes. The simulated wastewater with pH of 9.3±0.1 contained NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Cl^–, OH^– ions, and NH₃ molecules. The stripping solution with pH of 3.0±0.1 contained HCl.

Conclusions: It is shown that the use of TWEDBp-1 or Neosepta Bp-1 bipolar membranes for reagent-free generation of H⁺ and OH^- ions eliminates the need for alkali dosing in the LLMC feed solution. This result is achieved at an optimal current density of 2 mA cm^–2. Under the experimental conditions, this current density is 1.5 times (TWEDBp-1) and 2.0 times (Neosepta Bp-1) higher than the critical current density, which corresponds to the onset of intense H⁺ and OH^- ion generation by the studied bipolar membranes

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Author Biographies

Kseniia V. Brizhan, Kuban State University, 149, Stavropolskaya ul., Krasnodar 350040, Russian Federation

Postgraduate student, Junior Researcher, Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University (Krasnodar, Russian Federation)
Veronika V. Sarapulova, Kuban State University, 149, Stavropolskaya ul., Krasnodar 350040, Russian Federation

Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Senior Researcher, Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University (Krasnodar, Russian Federation)
Natalia D. Pismenskaya, Kuban State University, 149, Stavropolskaya ul., Krasnodar 350040, Russian Federation

Dr. Sci. (Chem.), Professor Department of Physical Chemistry, Kuban State University (Krasnodar, Russian Federation)

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