Application of Membrane Separation Technology in the Chlor-Alkali Industry

‌Working Principle



The chlor-alkali industry primarily involves the production of essential chemical raw materials such as chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and caustic soda. The application of membrane separation technology in the chlor-alkali industry is mainly reflected in the production of refined brine. 

The working principles are as follows:

Ceramic Membrane Filtration: Ceramic membranes are employed for crossflow filtration, directly separating impurities from brine. This process eliminates the need for traditional sand filters and cellulose pre-coating filters, simplifying the process flow and reducing equipment cleaning and pre-coating workload.

Removal of Divalent Ions: Nanofiltration membranes are utilized to remove divalent ions such as magnesium and calcium from the brine, ensuring that the quality of the produced brine meets the requirements for chlor-alkali production.

Water Reuse: The application of membrane technology also includes the recycling of water resources. Through membrane separation, water can be recovered, further enhancing the sustainability and economic viability of the production process.




Product Features

Process Simplification: The use of ceramic membranes eliminates the complex equipment and procedures traditionally required for brine refining, significantly shortening the process flow.


Efficient Filtration: The suspended solids (SS) concentration in the refined brine after membrane filtration is less than 1x10⁻⁶, ensuring high purity of the brine, which contributes to the efficient operation of subsequent electrolytic cells and ion-exchange membranes.

Reduced Pollution: The material characteristics of ceramic membranes make them resistant to contamination in environments with high concentrations of Mg(OH)₂ and BaSO₄, avoiding the secondary pollution that may occur with traditional technologies.



Cost-Effectiveness: Due to the simplified process flow, the investment in the same section is more than 35% lower compared to using organic polymer membranes, presenting significant economic advantages.

Ease of Operation: The membrane separation process is easy to operate, reducing reliance on chemical agents and filter aids, thereby enhancing production safety and environmental friendliness.





Applications

Chlor-Alkali Production Enterprises: Membrane separation technology can be widely applied in the production of chlor-alkali products such as caustic soda, chlorine gas, and hydrogen gas.

Brine Refinement and Chemical Production: Membrane technology can replace traditional methods in the brine refinement process, improving brine quality and lowering production costs, suitable for other downstream product manufacturing in the chemical industry.

Environmental Protection and Water Resource Reuse: The water reuse capability of membrane separation technology makes it suitable for chemical production fields that require environmental protection and sustainable resource utilization, aligning with the current trend of clean production.