Applicability of electrodialysis to the separation of sodium acetate from synthetic alkaline hardwood extract, TAPPI JOURNAL November 2015

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ABSTRACT: Our objective was to develop a process for recovering acetyl groups from industrial northeast hardwood chips. Extraction experiments showed that the white liquor charge of 6% effective alkali at 50°C and liquor-to-wood ratio of 4:1 leads to the complete extraction of acetyl groups from industrial hardwood chips. Electrodialysis was assessed as a technique for separating and concentrating sodium acetate from synthetic hardwood extract. Preliminary separation experiments using dilute sodium acetate showed that the sodium acetate can be concentrated up to approximately 24% by weight from an initial concentration of about 2% by weight. The effects of current density, feed concentration, electro-osmosis, and osmosis on the separation of sodium acetate were evaluated. Finally, selectivity experiments were performed to study the effect of various components of the white liquor on the separation of sodium acetate. Fully oxidized synthetic white liquor was used in selectivity experiments to avoid deleterious effects of Na₂S. Selectivity experiments using synthetic oxidized white liquor showed a significant decrease in the separation efficiency due to the presence of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate in the synthetic extract.

Application: Scientists and engineers engaged in the biorefinery concept can apply this information to development of a process to recover acetic acid or acetate salt as a byproduct at kraft mills, a possible new source of income for the paper industry.