Mathematical modelling of space charge breakdown in membrane systems taking into account the non-catalytic dissociation/ recombination reaction of water molecules

Abstract

In electromembrane systems, a theoretical study of salt ion transfer usually uses mathematical models of salt ion transfer in the depleted diffusion layer of ion-exchange membranes. In this paper, a new mathematical model of ion transport in the cross-section of the desalination channel formed by two ion-exchange membranes – anion-exchange (AEM) and cation-exchange (CEM), taking into account the non-catalytic dissociation/recombination reaction of water molecules. The model is a boundary value problem for a non-stationary system of Nernst-Planck and Poisson equations. A numerical analysis of the boundary value problem is performed and the main regularities of the 1:1 salt ion transfer process are established, in particular, the occurrence and development of space charge breakdown is shown. The interaction of the space charge and the noncatalytic dissociation/recombination reaction of water molecules are theoretically investigated.