Comparison of a Cation Exchange Membrane and a Ceramic Membrane in Electrosynthesis of Ammonium Persulfate by a Pilot Experimental Study

In order to improve the current efficiency and reduce the energy consumption in the electrosynthesis of ammonium persulfate, electrolytic properties of a perfluorosulfonic cation exchange membrane named PGN membrane and the $Al_2O_3$ ceramic membrane in the electrosynthesis of ammonium persulfate were studied and compared in a pilot electrolytic cell using a welded platinum titanium as the anode and a Pb-Sb alloy as the cathode. The effect of cell voltage, electrolyte flow rate and electrolysis time of the electrolytes on the current efficiency and the energy consumption were studied. The results indicated that the PGN membrane could improve current efficiency to 95.12% and reduce energy consumption to $1110kWh\;t^{-1}$ (energy consumption per ton of the ammonium persulfate generated) under the optimal operating conditions and the highest current efficiency of the $Al_2O_3$ ceramic membrane was 72.61% with its lowest energy consumption of $1779kWh\;t^{-1}$. Among 5 times of the electrolysis of the electrolytes, the lowest current efficiency of the PGN membrane was 85.25% with the highest energy consumption of $1244kWh\;t^{-1}$ while the lowest current efficiency of the $Al_2O_3$ ceramic membrane was 67.44% with the highest energy consumption of $1915kWh\;t^{-1}$, which suggested the PGN membrane could be used in the 5-stage electrolytic cell for the industrially continuous electrosynthesis of ammonium persulfate. Therefore the PGN membrane can be efficient to improve the current efficiency and reduce the energy consumption and can be applied in the industrial electrosynthesis of ammonium persulfate.