18
The Application of Electrodialysis for Drinking
Water Treatment
F. Hell and J. Lahnsteiner
VA TECH WABAG, Siemensstrasse 89, 1210 Vienna, Austria,
e-mail: Florian.Hell@.wabag.com Tel: +43-1-25105-4375, Fax: +43-1-25105-211
Abstract
Electrodialysis is applied for the removal of dissolved ionic substances from
water. Amongst other desalination processes, such as ion exchange, nanofiltration
and reverse osmosis, the main advantages of electrodialysis are high water
recovery, selective desalination, low chemical demand and low energy demand.
This chapter describes the application of electrodialysis for the removal of nitrate
and hardness from groundwater. Experiences with a full-scale plant are presented.
As a second feature, pilot tests using electrodialysis at an integrated membrane
system for surface-water treatment are described.
1 Introduction
Water, as one of the most vital substances for human life, is a limited resource.
Increasing human activities generate an increasing demand for freshwater. On the
other hand, the scarce resources of natural waters that fulfill drinking water quality
standards are severely threatened by pollution, unsustainable use, climatic changes
and many other forces. Protection and sanitation strategies are only one goal.
Treatment processes for the production of freshwater from any kind of water
sources such as ground and surface water, as well as recycled process and
wastewater, are becoming more and more important to cope with the rapidly
increasing water demand.
Increased nitrate concentrations, mainly caused by non-clarified wastewater or
excessive application of artificial fertilizer and manure in agriculture, are found
quite often in groundwater (Rohmann and Sontheimer 1985). Also many surfacewater works are confronted with the necessity to remove dissolved ionic
substances. Treatment processes are required, that are reliable, selective, easy to
operate and have low costs. Electrodialysis fulfills these requirements quite well.
The special features of electrodialysis are high water recovery, selective
desalination, low chemical demand and low energy demand.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002
The Application of Electrodialysis for Drinking
Water Treatment
F. Hell and J. Lahnsteiner
VA TECH WABAG, Siemensstrasse 89, 1210 Vienna, Austria,
e-mail: Florian.Hell@.wabag.com Tel: +43-1-25105-4375, Fax: +43-1-25105-211
Abstract
Electrodialysis is applied for the removal of dissolved ionic substances from
water. Amongst other desalination processes, such as ion exchange, nanofiltration
and reverse osmosis, the main advantages of electrodialysis are high water
recovery, selective desalination, low chemical demand and low energy demand.
This chapter describes the application of electrodialysis for the removal of nitrate
and hardness from groundwater. Experiences with a full-scale plant are presented.
As a second feature, pilot tests using electrodialysis at an integrated membrane
system for surface-water treatment are described.
1 Introduction
Water, as one of the most vital substances for human life, is a limited resource.
Increasing human activities generate an increasing demand for freshwater. On the
other hand, the scarce resources of natural waters that fulfill drinking water quality
standards are severely threatened by pollution, unsustainable use, climatic changes
and many other forces. Protection and sanitation strategies are only one goal.
Treatment processes for the production of freshwater from any kind of water
sources such as ground and surface water, as well as recycled process and
wastewater, are becoming more and more important to cope with the rapidly
increasing water demand.
Increased nitrate concentrations, mainly caused by non-clarified wastewater or
excessive application of artificial fertilizer and manure in agriculture, are found
quite often in groundwater (Rohmann and Sontheimer 1985). Also many surfacewater works are confronted with the necessity to remove dissolved ionic
substances. Treatment processes are required, that are reliable, selective, easy to
operate and have low costs. Electrodialysis fulfills these requirements quite well.
The special features of electrodialysis are high water recovery, selective
desalination, low chemical demand and low energy demand.
H. Rubin / P. Nachtnebel / J. Fuerst / U. Shamir
Preserving the Quality of Our Water Resources
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002