ELECTRODIALYSIS of WHEY PERMEATES and RETENTATES OBTAINED BY ULTRAFILTRATION

Demineralization of a synthetic UF-whey permeate and a reconstituted UF-whey retentate was studied in a laboratory electrodialysis (ED) unit. Data on conductivity, ionic concentration, ash removal, electrical efficiency and energy consumption are reported at three temperatures (20, 35 and 45C) and three flow rates (100, 160 and 230 l/h). the extent of deashing is lower for the UF-whey retentate than for the UF-whey permeate as a result of concentration polarization, which results in an increase of the boundary layer thickness, due to deposition of proteins and salts on the membranes.