Feasibility of using electrodialysis with bipolar membranes to deacidify acid whey

Abstract

A nonreagent method for the regulation of the pH of acid whey was investigated at a laboratory scale. Acid whey and concentrated acid whey were subjected to electrodialysis with bipolar membranes in order to raise the pH value to 6.5. Demineralised whey underwent identical processing. The deacidification rate as per tonne of a dry matter was similar for acid whey and concentrated acid whey treatment at 70% and 90% degrees of demineralisation. We estimated the energy consumption of electrodialysis. The preliminary demineralisation of whey significantly increased the energy efficiency of whey pH correction. Additionally, we observed substantial fouling on the diluate side of bipolar membranes after whey treatment