Fractional Factorial Design Application for the Determination of Affecting Parameters on the Generation of KOH and HCl From Simulated Wastewater Solution By Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the significant factors influencing the generation of potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid from simulated potassium chloride solution by bipolar membrane electrodialysis using fractional factorial design. The membrane stack with acid, dilute (salt), and base compartments was used in the experiments. Fractional factorial design 24-1 was employed to evaluate the parameters affecting the production of base and acid. The process has been investigated as a function of four main factors namely, initial concentrations of acid and base, initial salt concentration, current density, and electrolyte concentration. Normal probability plot and Pareto charts revealed that the initial salt concentration is the most significant parameter affecting the bipolar membrane electrodialysis system performance. The results were also statistically analyzed by using the main effects plots and the ANOVA method. The significance of initial salt concentration was confirmed by both statistical findings.