2005 Volume 59 Issue 4 Pages 273-281
Simulation of an ion-exchange membrane salt manufacturing process for studying the effect of reducing the electric resistance in an ion-exchange membrane on reducing the production cost was performed. The production cost, which is the sum of the energy and equipment costs, was calculated in simulation using an electrodialyzer and a quadruple-effect evaporating composite system. As a result, the energy, the equipment, and the production costs were reduced by 2.5%, 5.6%, and 8.1%, respectively, with 50% reducing of electric resistance of the ion-exchange membrane. The effect of improving of the endurance in the ion-exchange membrane on reducing the production cost was also studied. The production cost was reduced by 8.0% with twice improving of the endurance in the ion-exchange membrane. Therefore it is considered that reducing the production cost by developing the high performance ion-exchange membrane is important.