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Rastgar M, Moradi K, Burroughs C, Hemmati A, Hoek E, Sadrzadeh M. Harvesting Blue Energy Based on Salinity and Temperature Gradient: Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities. Chem Rev 2023; 123:10156-10205. [PMID: 37523591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation from fossil fuel combustion account for 25% of global emissions and, thus, contribute greatly to climate change. Renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, have reached a mature stage, with costs aligning with those of fossil fuel-derived power but suffer from the challenge of intermittency due to the variability of wind and sunlight. This study aims to explore the viability of salinity gradient power, or "blue energy", as a clean, renewable source of uninterrupted, base-load power generation. Harnessing the salinity gradient energy from river estuaries worldwide could meet a substantial portion of the global electricity demand (approximately 7%). Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) and reverse electrodialysis (RED) are more prominent technologies for blue energy harvesting, whereas thermo-osmotic energy conversion (TOEC) is emerging with new promise. This review scrutinizes the obstacles encountered in developing osmotic power generation using membrane-based methods and presents potential solutions to overcome challenges in practical applications. While certain strategies have shown promise in addressing some of these obstacles, further research is still required to enhance the energy efficiency and feasibility of membrane-based processes, enabling their large-scale implementation in osmotic energy harvesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Rastgar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Water Research Lab (AWRL), University of Alberta, 10-367 Donadeo Innovation Center for Engineering, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Kazem Moradi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Water Research Lab (AWRL), University of Alberta, 10-367 Donadeo Innovation Center for Engineering, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Computational Fluid Engineering Laboratory, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Cassie Burroughs
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, 12-263 Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Arman Hemmati
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Computational Fluid Engineering Laboratory, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Eric Hoek
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095-1593, United States
- Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Mohtada Sadrzadeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Water Research Lab (AWRL), University of Alberta, 10-367 Donadeo Innovation Center for Engineering, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
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Song HB, Kim DH, Kang MS. Thin-Reinforced Anion-Exchange Membranes with High Ionic Contents for Electrochemical Energy Conversion Processes. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:196. [PMID: 35207117 PMCID: PMC8876247 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are a core component that greatly affects the performance of electrochemical energy conversion processes such as reverse electrodialysis (RED) and all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The IEMs used in electrochemical energy conversion processes require low mass transfer resistance, high permselectivity, excellent durability, and also need to be inexpensive to manufacture. Therefore, in this study, thin-reinforced anion-exchange membranes with excellent physical and chemical stabilities were developed by filling a polyethylene porous substrate with functional monomers, and through in situ polymerization and post-treatments. In particular, the thin-reinforced membranes were made to have a high ion-exchange capacity and a limited degree of swelling at the same time through a double cross-linking reaction. The prepared membranes were shown to possess both strong tensile strength (>120 MPa) and low electrical resistance (<1 Ohm cm2). As a result of applying them to RED and VRFB, the performances were shown to be superior to those of the commercial membrane (AMX, Astom Corp., Japan) in the optimal composition. In addition, the prepared membranes were found to have high oxidation stability, enough for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Moon-Sung Kang
- Department of Green Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sangmyung University, Cheonan 31066, Korea; (H.-B.S.); (D.-H.K.)
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Zimmermann P, Solberg SBB, Tekinalp Ö, Lamb JJ, Wilhelmsen Ø, Deng L, Burheim OS. Heat to Hydrogen by RED-Reviewing Membranes and Salts for the RED Heat Engine Concept. MEMBRANES 2021; 12:48. [PMID: 35054575 PMCID: PMC8779139 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Reverse electrodialysis heat engine (REDHE) combines a reverse electrodialysis stack for power generation with a thermal regeneration unit to restore the concentration difference of the salt solutions. Current approaches for converting low-temperature waste heat to electricity with REDHE have not yielded conversion efficiencies and profits that would allow for the industrialization of the technology. This review explores the concept of Heat-to-Hydrogen with REDHEs and maps crucial developments toward industrialization. We discuss current advances in membrane development that are vital for the breakthrough of the RED Heat Engine. In addition, the choice of salt is a crucial factor that has not received enough attention in the field. Based on ion properties relevant for both the transport through IEMs and the feasibility for regeneration, we pinpoint the most promising salts for use in REDHE, which we find to be KNO3, LiNO3, LiBr and LiCl. To further validate these results and compare the system performance with different salts, there is a demand for a comprehensive thermodynamic model of the REDHE that considers all its units. Guided by such a model, experimental studies can be designed to utilize the most favorable process conditions (e.g., salt solutions).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Zimmermann
- Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (P.Z.); (S.B.B.S.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Simon Birger Byremo Solberg
- Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (P.Z.); (S.B.B.S.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Önder Tekinalp
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (Ö.T.); (L.D.)
| | - Jacob Joseph Lamb
- Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (P.Z.); (S.B.B.S.); (J.J.L.)
| | - Øivind Wilhelmsen
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Liyuan Deng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (Ö.T.); (L.D.)
| | - Odne Stokke Burheim
- Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (P.Z.); (S.B.B.S.); (J.J.L.)
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Kim H, Choi J, Jeong N, Jung YG, Kim H, Kim D, Yang S. Correlations between Properties of Pore-Filling Ion Exchange Membranes and Performance of a Reverse Electrodialysis Stack for High Power Density. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:609. [PMID: 34436372 PMCID: PMC8400206 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11080609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The reverse electrodialysis (RED) stack-harnessing salinity gradient power mainly consists of ion exchange membranes (IEMs). Among the various types of IEMs used in RED stacks, pore-filling ion exchange membranes (PIEMs) have been considered promising IEMs to improve the power density of RED stacks. The compositions of PIEMs affect the electrical resistance and permselectivity of PIEMs; however, their effect on the performance of large RED stacks have not yet been considered. In this study, PIEMs of various compositions with respect to the RED stack were adopted to evaluate the performance of the RED stack according to stack size (electrode area: 5 × 5 cm2 vs. 15 × 15 cm2). By increasing the stack size, the gross power per membrane area decreased despite the increase in gross power on a single RED stack. The electrical resistance of the PIEMs was the most important factor for enhancing the power production of the RED stack. Moreover, power production was less sensitive to permselectivities over 90%. By increasing the RED stack size, the contributions of non-ohmic resistances were significantly increased. Thus, we determined that reducing the salinity gradients across PIEMs by ion transport increased the non-ohmic resistance of large RED stacks. These results will aid in designing pilot-scale RED stacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanki Kim
- Jeju Global Research Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Jeju-si 63357, Korea; (H.K.); (J.C.); (N.J.)
| | - Jiyeon Choi
- Jeju Global Research Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Jeju-si 63357, Korea; (H.K.); (J.C.); (N.J.)
| | - Namjo Jeong
- Jeju Global Research Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Jeju-si 63357, Korea; (H.K.); (J.C.); (N.J.)
| | - Yeon-Gil Jung
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea; (Y.-G.J.); (H.K.); (D.K.)
- Department of Materials Convergence and System Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea
| | - Haeun Kim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea; (Y.-G.J.); (H.K.); (D.K.)
- Department of Materials Convergence and System Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea
| | - Donghyun Kim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea; (Y.-G.J.); (H.K.); (D.K.)
- Department of Materials Convergence and System Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea
| | - SeungCheol Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea; (Y.-G.J.); (H.K.); (D.K.)
- Department of Materials Convergence and System Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon-si 51140, Korea
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Principles of reverse electrodialysis and development of integrated-based system for power generation and water treatment: a review. REV CHEM ENG 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/revce-2020-0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is among the evolving membrane-based processes available for energy harvesting by mixing water with different salinities. The chemical potential difference causes the movement of cations and anions in opposite directions that can then be transformed into the electrical current at the electrodes by redox reactions. Although several works have shown the possibilities of achieving high power densities through the RED system, the transformation to the industrial-scale stacks remains a challenge particularly in understanding the correlation between ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) and the operating conditions. This work provides an overview of the RED system including its development and modifications of IEM utilized in the RED system. The effects of modified membranes particularly on the psychochemical properties of the membranes and the effects of numerous operating variables are discussed. The prospects of combining the RED system with other technologies such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, membrane distillation, heat engine, microbial fuel cell), and flow battery have been summarized based on open-loop and closed-loop configurations. This review attempts to explain the development and prospect of RED technology for salinity gradient power production and further elucidate the integrated RED system as a promising way to harvest energy while reducing the impact of liquid waste disposal on the environment.
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Zheng K, Zhou S, Cheng Z, Huang G. Polyvinyl chloride/quaternized poly phenylene oxide substrates supported thin-film composite membranes: Enhancement of forward osmosis performance. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Stenina IA, Yaroslavtsev AB. Ionic Mobility in Ion-Exchange Membranes. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:198. [PMID: 33799886 PMCID: PMC7998860 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11030198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Membrane technologies are widely demanded in a number of modern industries. Ion-exchange membranes are one of the most widespread and demanded types of membranes. Their main task is the selective transfer of certain ions and prevention of transfer of other ions or molecules, and the most important characteristics are ionic conductivity and selectivity of transfer processes. Both parameters are determined by ionic and molecular mobility in membranes. To study this mobility, the main techniques used are nuclear magnetic resonance and impedance spectroscopy. In this comprehensive review, mechanisms of transfer processes in various ion-exchange membranes, including homogeneous, heterogeneous, and hybrid ones, are discussed. Correlations of structures of ion-exchange membranes and their hydration with ion transport mechanisms are also reviewed. The features of proton transfer, which plays a decisive role in the membrane used in fuel cells and electrolyzers, are highlighted. These devices largely determine development of hydrogen energy in the modern world. The features of ion transfer in heterogeneous and hybrid membranes with inorganic nanoparticles are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrey B. Yaroslavtsev
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 31, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
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Golubenko D, Yaroslavtsev A. Development of surface-sulfonated graft anion-exchange membranes with monovalent ion selectivity and antifouling properties for electromembrane processes. J Memb Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Stenina I, Golubenko D, Nikonenko V, Yaroslavtsev A. Selectivity of Transport Processes in Ion-Exchange Membranes: Relationship with the Structure and Methods for Its Improvement. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5517. [PMID: 32752236 PMCID: PMC7432390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, ion-exchange membranes have numerous applications in water desalination, electrolysis, chemistry, food, health, energy, environment and other fields. All of these applications require high selectivity of ion transfer, i.e., high membrane permselectivity. The transport properties of ion-exchange membranes are determined by their structure, composition and preparation method. For various applications, the selectivity of transfer processes can be characterized by different parameters, for example, by the transport number of counterions (permselectivity in electrodialysis) or by the ratio of ionic conductivity to the permeability of some gases (crossover in fuel cells). However, in most cases there is a correlation: the higher the flux density of the target component through the membrane, the lower the selectivity of the process. This correlation has two aspects: first, it follows from the membrane material properties, often expressed as the trade-off between membrane permeability and permselectivity; and, second, it is due to the concentration polarization phenomenon, which increases with an increase in the applied driving force. In this review, both aspects are considered. Recent research and progress in the membrane selectivity improvement, mainly including a number of approaches as crosslinking, nanoparticle doping, surface modification, and the use of special synthetic methods (e.g., synthesis of grafted membranes or membranes with a fairly rigid three-dimensional matrix) are summarized. These approaches are promising for the ion-exchange membranes synthesis for electrodialysis, alternative energy, and the valuable component extraction from natural or waste-water. Perspectives on future development in this research field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Stenina
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the RAS, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Daniel Golubenko
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the RAS, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor Nikonenko
- Membrane Institute, Kuban State University, 350040 Krasnodar, Russia
| | - Andrey Yaroslavtsev
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the RAS, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Golubenko DV, Van der Bruggen B, Yaroslavtsev AB. Novel anion exchange membrane with low ionic resistance based on chloromethylated/quaternized‐grafted polystyrene for energy efficient electromembrane processes. J Appl Polym Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/app.48656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel V. Golubenko
- Russian Academy of SciencesN.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry 31 Leninsky prospect, Moscow 119991 Russian Federation
- Russian Academy of SciencesInstitute of Problems of Chemical Physics Academician Semenov Avenue 1, Chernogolovka 142432 Moscow Region Russian Federation
| | - Bart Van der Bruggen
- Department of Chemical EngineeringKU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F, B‐3001 Leuven Belgium
- Faculty of Engineering and the Built EnvironmentTshwane University of Technology Private Bag X680 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
| | - Andrey B. Yaroslavtsev
- Russian Academy of SciencesN.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry 31 Leninsky prospect, Moscow 119991 Russian Federation
- Russian Academy of SciencesInstitute of Problems of Chemical Physics Academician Semenov Avenue 1, Chernogolovka 142432 Moscow Region Russian Federation
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