Electrodeionization (EDI)

Technology Overview
Bill Loyd

EDI Overview

Similar to the manner in which

RO displaced ion exchange
for primary desalination, EDI
has the potential to displace
mixed beds for polishing
applications.

EDI Advantages
Eliminates the need for hazardous
regeneration/neutralization chemicals
Is a clean technology, the only consumable is electricity
Is a continuous process, there's no need for offline
regeneration
Smaller footprint than conventional DI
Situational cost advantages

Current EDI Markets

Power plant water treatment
Electronics & semi-conductor Ultra Pure Water (UPW)
Pharmaceutical water treatment
Miscellaneous industrial applications

Basics of EDI
What is EDI?
Using electricity to remove ions from water
Water flow Electrical flow Analogies
Basics of Electrolysis/Electrodialysis/Electrodeionization

EDI Module Construction

Plate & Frame Configuration
Spiral Wound Configuration
EDI Internal Operation
Working Bed vs. Polishing Bed

Hydraulic Analogies

Hydraulic
Flow (gal/min)
Pressure (psi)
Resistance (pressure loss)

Electrical
Current (Amps)
Voltage (Volts)
Resistance (Ohms)

Review: Basics of Electricity

E
I

E=Voltage
I= Amps
R=Ohms

If voltage had to be increased to keep the same

number of amps flowing what might be the
reason?
If voltage to an EDI system were increased would the
current increase or decrease? (same resistance)

Voltage vs. Amps EDI-60

Voltage vs. Temperature

Electrolysis
H2
Hydrogen

+
cathode

2e-

anode

12 Volt DC

2 H2O + 2e- H2 + 2OH-

H+

H+

H+
H

H+

2 H2O O2 + 4H+ + 4e-

anode

cathode

4e-

O2 Oxygen

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Electrolysis
H2
Hydrogen

cathode

anode

12 Volt DC

anode

cathode

- OH- OH- OH- OH-

O2 Oxygen

Na+ ClNa+ ClH2O

H2O
H2O
H2O

+
+
H+ +
H+ +
+
H+ +
+
+
+
+
+
H+

Electrolysis
H2
Hydrogen

O2 Oxygen
Cl2 Chlorine

cathode

anode

12 Volt DC

OHOHOHOH-

anode

cathode

Na+ ClNa+ Cl-

+
+
H+ +
H+ +
+
H+ +
+
+
+
+
+
H+

H2O
H2O
H2O
H2O

2 Cl- Cl2 + 2e-

Electrodialysis

cathode

Cation Membrane
Anion Membrane

+
cathode

anode

12 Volt DC

anode

Na+

Na+
Na+

Cl-

Cl-

Cl-

OHOH-

Na+

OHOH- Na+

Na+

H+
H+

ClNa+

H+
H+
Cl-

ClCl-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Electrodeionization

cathode

Cation Membrane
Anion Membrane

+
cathode

anode

12 Volt DC

anode

Na+
Na+
Na+

Cl-

Cl-

Cl-

OHOH-

Na+

OHOH- Na+

Na+

ClNa+

H+
H+
H+
H+
Cl-

ClCl-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Electrodeionization

cathode

Cation Membrane
Anion Membrane

+
cathode

anode

12 Volt DC

anode

Na+

OH-

Cl-

OH-

H+
H+

OH-

H+

OH- Na+

H+
Cl-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Working & Polishing Zones?

EDIpH
pH Polarization
Polarization
EDI
D

Polishing Bed

cathode

Cation Membrane
Anion Membrane

+
cathode

anode

DC Power Supply

anode

Na+

OH-

Cl-

OH-

H+
H+

OH-

H+

OH- Na+

H+
Cl-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Polishing bed is where

water splitting (pH
polarization) and CO2, silica
and other weakly charged
anions are removed.

Working bed
Working bed is where
majority of cations and
anions are removed.

Plate and Frame Configuration

Similar in Construction
to a plate heat
exchanger
Multiple chambers
sandwiched between
electrodes that are
held in compression

Spiral Wound EDI

Concentrate Spacer
Anion Membrane
Dilute Spacer
Cation Membrane
Concentrate Spacer
Anion Membrane
Dilute Spacer
Cation Membrane

Features and Benefits

Dow Spiral Wound EDI Advantages

No Leakage: Unique spiral wound design of the DOW EDI

modules ensures reliable seals and eliminates leaks.

No Maintenance: Unlike plate and frame EDI, DOW EDI

have no compression fittings or torque requirements.

Light Weight: A DOW EDI weighs only about one third of what
the typical plate and frame does making them easier to handle
during skid assembly or plant change outs.

Sample Port on Each Module: Each DOW EDI module has a

sample port which simplifies system piping requirements.

Myth or Reality?
EDI systems are prone to frequent problems and are
difficult to operate.

True
False

EDI Reality
Single Pass RO is much more likely to have EDI
problemsThats the reality.
No reset button like mixed bedsin that way EDI is not
very forgiving and can be more difficult to operate.
EDI modules/stacks are not designed to be cleaned,
each cleaning shortens module life and reduces module
performance.
Two pass RO makes EDI easier and more reliable to
operate than a mixed bed.

Single Pass RO
Single Pass RO leaves little safety margin for operating
variables or system upsets!

Softener problem

Variations in feed water

quality result in variable
feed water going to the
EDI

ORP meter fails

99%
RO

Anti-scalant problem

EDI

Why Two Pass RO is Optimal

Double Pass RO leaves a large safety margin for operating
variables or system upsets!

Softener
problem

Variations in feed water

quality result in variable feed
water going to the 2nd Pass
RO

ORP Meter
Fails

99%
RO

RO

99%
Anti-scalant problem
24

EDI

Field Case Examples

Cogeneration Facility, Madison, WI
2 Pass RO (DOW EDI)

Nelson Dewey Generating Station

1 Pass RO (Alternative supplier EDI)

Problem-antiscalant dosing failed

First pass RO elements scaled
2nd Pass RO protected EDI
Result no noticeable change in
EDI resistance.

Problem-Softener failed to regenerate

RO elements scaled
EDI module resistance increased
~25%
Plant continued to operate.

DOW EDI Warranty

Typical EDI Design Installations

2 Pass RO w/interpass pH adjust + EDI
Preferred (RO Direct Coupled to the EDI)

2 Pass RO w/interpass pH adjust + Break Tank + EDI

N2 blanket and 1 micron absolute filter on break tank

Softener + 1 Pass RO + EDI

Dow recommends using a Mixed Bed for Single Pass RO permeate
polishing. If EDI is used a hardness switch may be required for warranty
coverage.

27

Typical EDI pretreatment

EDI Installations

2 Pass RO

1 Pass RO

Consistent, high
quality feed water

Surface Water
Seasonal Variation

Design Issues
Operational Issues

Ground Water
Low variation
Operational Issues

EDI Design Issues

-Single Pass RO Pretreatment

Use a Conservative Design

Account for changes in the feed water
Account for changes in RO performance
Use a permeate flush at shutdown

29

#1 Avoiding Hardness Scaling

Hardness scaling is the most

common problem with EDI.
Scaling can occur very
quickly inside EDI modules
if feed water exceeds
recommended levels.
If scaling is not addressed
modules may become
extremely difficult or even
impossible to clean.
Allowable limits
0.5 to 1.0 ppm hardness
as CaCO3

Feed Water Requirements for Various EDI

Devices
Manufact
urers

Hardness
(ppm as
CaCO3)

<1.0

Max 1.0

<0.5

0.50

Silica
(ppm)

<1

Max 0.5

<0.5

0.5

TOC
(ppm)

<0.5

Max 0.5

<0.5

0.5

Total Cl2
(ppm)

<0.02

Max
0.05

<0.05

0.05
(free Cl2)

Fe, Mn,
H2S
(ppm)

<0.01

Max
0.01

<0.01

0.01

RO Projection
-Convert hardness to CaCO3 Equivalence

Convert ppm to ppm CaCO3

0.05 mg/L magnesium
0.05 mg/L Mg/(12.15
mg/meq)*50 = 0.206
ppm as CaCO3
0.09 mg/L calcium
.05 mg/L Ca/(20.04
mg/meq)*50=0.125 Ca
as CaCO3
Total 0.331 ppm as
CaCO3

Feed Water Requirements for Various EDI Devices

Manufact
urers

Hardness
(ppm as
CaCO3)

<1.0

Max 1.0

<0.5

0.50

Silica
(ppm)

<1

Max 0.5

<0.5

0.5

TOC
(ppm)

<0.5

Max 0.5

<0.5

0.5

Total Cl2
(ppm)

<0.02

Max
0.05

<0.05

0.05
(free
Cl2)

Fe, Mn,
H 2S
(ppm)

<0.01

Max
0.01

<0.01

0.01

Temperature DegC

Temperature Impact on RO Hardness

Rejection
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Temp

10

15

20

25

30

35

% Rej 99.8 99.8 99.7 99.6 99.5 99.3 98.9

100.00
99.80
99.60
99.40
99.20
99.00
98.80
98.60
98.40

RO Scaling
Occurs over time in the membrane boundary layer
Salt passage increases as scaling occurs due to
increase in the concentration gradient.

Scaling Occurs Inside the Concentrate

Chambers Due to High pH

Migration of OH- and H+

due to water splitting
creates pH polarization
on the concentrate side
of the IX membranes.

Low pH ~2 on the
cation membrane
concentrate side.

High pH ~12 on the

anion membrane
concentrate side.

EDI
EDIPolarization
Polarization
D
cathode

Cation Membrane
Anion Membrane

+
cathode

anode

DC Power Supply

H+

OHH+

H+

OHH+

H+

OHH+

H+

OHH+

Na+
Na+

OHH+
OHH+

OH-

OHH+
OH-

OH-

OH-

OH-

H+

ClCl-

anode

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Scaling occurs along the

high pH boundary layer of
the anion membrane.

Permeate Flush to Avoid TDS Creep

Design the RO system to do a permeate flush at shutdown
(preferred) or a dump to drain at startup to prevent a plume of high
TDS water from entering the EDI system.
Water Flow

Feed 111 mg/l

Concentrate 156 mg/l
Permeate 2 mg/l

Product
Feed

Concentrate
Ions

1 HR-13 mg/l

Water Flow

Product

3 HR-45 mg/l
Feed

Concentrate

12 HR-53 mg/l
Ions

Installing a Softener

Hardness Monitor

Softener

RO

EDI

Install before the RO

Always install a hardness switch or monitor to prevent running past
exhaustion.

Add a Hardness Monitor

#2 Avoiding Oxidation Damage

Primarily oxidation due to

free chlorine in municipal
water
EDI tolerance is low
Damage to the cross
linking
Damage to the exchange
sites

Pretreatment usually
Carbon
Bisulfite injection

Feed Water Requirements for Various EDI

Devices
Manufac
turers

Hardnes
s (ppm
as
CaCO3)

<1.0

Max 1.0

<0.5

0.50

Silica
(ppm)

<1

Max 0.5

<0.5

0.5

TOC
(ppm)

<0.5

Max 0.5

<0.5

0.5

Total Cl2
(ppm)

<0.02

Max
0.05

<0.05

0.05
(free
Cl2)

Fe, Mn,
H2S
(ppm)

<0.01

Max
0.01

<0.01

0.01

Dechlorination with NaHSO3

Chlorine Analyzer

CF

Hardness Monitor

Softener

RO

EDI

Bisulfite Injection

Inject before cartridge filters

Consider installing a chlorine analyzer to prevent oxidation
damage to IX resin and RO membranes.

Dechlorination w/Activated Carbon

Chlorine Analyzer

Carbon
Filter

Hardness Monitor

Softener

RO

EDI

Preferred solution
Consider installing a chlorine analyzer to prevent oxidation
damage to IX resin and RO membranes.

#3 Other Design Considerations

CO2
Caustic injection
Membrane degasifier

Break tank
Avoid if possible, always direct couple
Use HEPA filter or N2 blanket, 1 micron absolute cartridge filters

Why is CO2 Important?

EDIpH
Polarization
EDI
Polarization
D

Polishing Bed

cathode

Cation Membrane
Anion Membrane

+
cathode

anode

DC Power Supply

anode

Na+

OH-

Cl-

OH-

H+
H+

OH-

H+

OH- Na+

H+
Cl-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Polishing bed is where

water splitting (pH
polarization) and CO2,
silica and other weakly
charged anions are
removed.

Working bed
Working bed is where
majority of cations/anions
are removed.

CO2 Specification

RO will reject ionic impurities but CO2 will freely pass

through the membrane
CO2 competes with silica for IX sites in anion resin
and interferes with its removal

Handling CO2 - pH Adjust

2 pass RO
pH adjust with caustic soda between passes

1 pass RO
Softener + pH adjust ahead of RO
RO + Membrane Contactor + EDI

EDI Handling CO2 - pH Adjust

Softener + pH adjust
ahead of RO
pH 8.5

pH 6.5

The CO2-Water System

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

H2CO3
HCO3-

0.5

CO3-0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0
0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00
pH

8.00

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

13.00

14.00

pH Adjustment with Caustic Soda

Chlorine Analyzer

Carbon
Filter

Hardness Monitor

Softener

RO

EDI

Caustic Injection

Inject downstream of the softener

Install a hardness monitor prevent scaling the lines to the
RO

Membrane Contactors

Higher initial cost

Long operational life
when operated on RO
permeate

CO2 Removal with Membrane Contactor

Chlorine Analyzer

Carbon
Filter

Hardness Monitor

Softener

Preferred Solution
Install down stream of the RO

RO

Membrane Contactor

EDI

EDI Break Tank?

Avoid if possible
Install a HEPA filter on vent or blanket tank with N2
Install a 1 micron absolute filter after break tank

Optimized EDI Design

-Single Pass RO - EDI

Chlorine Analyzer

Carbon
Filter

Preferred Solution!

Hardness Monitor

Softener

RO

Membrane
Contactor

EDI

EDI Operational Issues

-Single Pass RO Pretreatment
When is EDI a good fit for a plant?
Is the plant new to RO & EDI or do they have a lot of RO operational
problems?
A mixed bed recommended

Are the operators knowledgeable and experienced?

Training at startup
Add additional instrumentation & PLC controls

Is proper maintenance and calibration of instrumentation done?

Add to the log sheets

Does the plant track and trend data?

RO and EDI normalization programs provided for use
Consider remote monitoring

Thank You!

For more information please visit our web site or

contact your local Dow representative.
http://www.dowwaterandprocess.com/

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