Method for preparing an ion exchange polymer by electrodialysis

Bipolar membrane electrodialysis effectively converts ion exchange polymers to H-form or OH-form, addressing inefficiencies in existing methods by reducing energy and chemical consumption while achieving high exchange rates and purity.

WO2026150097A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-16SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY SPA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY SPA
Filing Date
2026-01-12
Publication Date
2026-07-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for preparing ion exchange polymers with protons or hydroxy groups as exchangeable ions are inefficient, consume high amounts of water and energy, generate significant by-products, and require substantial chemical use, particularly when using acid and basic ion exchange resins.

Method used

A method using bipolar membrane electrodialysis in a two-compartment cell to convert ion exchange polymers from their salt-form to H-form or OH-form, utilizing a bipolar membrane in combination with cation or anion exchange membranes to generate protons or hydroxy ions directly from water splitting, without the need for additional steps or resins.

Benefits of technology

Achieves high ion exchange rates with low energy consumption, reduces water and chemical use, and allows for the recovery of initial ions as high-purity compounds, enabling efficient conversion of polymers to their desired form with minimal by-product generation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for preparing an ion exchange polymer having protons or hydroxide ions as exchangeable ions by electrodialysis using a bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell. In a variant, the method exploits the protons generated by the bipolar membrane to exchange for the cations of the electrolyzed ion exchange polymer. In another variant, the method exploits the hydroxide ions generated by the bipolar membrane to exchange for the anions of the electrolyzed ion exchange polymer. The method is environment-friendly and allows to very efficiently obtain high exchange rate without substantially producing any by-products.
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