Enhancing Palladium Recovery Rates in Industrial Residual Solutions through Electrodialysis

Palladium is a vital commodity in the industry. To guarantee a stable supply in the future, it is imperative to adopt more effective recycling practices. In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the potential of electrodialysis to enhance the palladium concentration in a residual solution of palladium recycling, thus promoting higher recovery rates. Experiments were conducted using an industrial hydrochloric acid solution containing around 1000 mg/L of palladium, with a pH below 1. Two sets of membranes, Selemion AMVN/CMVN and Fujifilm Type 12 AEM/CEM, were tested at two current levels. The Fujifilm membranes, which are designed for low permeability of water, show promising results, recovering around 40% of palladium within a two-hour timeframe. The Selemion membranes were inefficient due to excessive water transport. All membranes accumulated palladium in their structures. Anion-exchange membranes showed higher palladium accumulation at lower currents, while cation-exchange membranes exhibited increased palladium accumulation at higher currents. Owing to the low concentration of palladium and the presence of abundant competing ions, the current efficiency remained below 2%. Our findings indicate a strong potential for augmenting the palladium stage in industrial draw solutions through electrodialysis, emphasizing the importance of membrane properties and process parameters to ensure a viable process. Beyond the prominent criteria of high permselectivity and low resistance, minimizing the permeability of water within IEMs remains a key challenge to mitigating the efficiency loss associated with uncontrolled mixing of the electrolyte solution.