Question:

Electrodialysis has been used extensively in -

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A major dairy application of electrodialysis is the demineralization (desalting) of sweet whey.
Removing salty minerals makes the whey powder highly suitable for formulating infant milk formulas.
  • Removal of colloidal materials
  • Removal of bacteria
  • Removal of unionized matter
  • Desalting process
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Electrodialysis (ED) is a membrane-based separation process that uses an electric potential gradient as the driving force to move dissolved ion species through ion-selective membranes, separating them from water.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Since the driving force in electrodialysis is an electric field, it acts exclusively on charged ions:
- It is highly effective at removing dissolved salt ions (\(\text{Na}^+\), \(\text{Cl}^-\), \(\text{Ca}^{2+}\)) from a solution.
- Consequently, it is extensively used in the desalting process (desalination of brackish water, demineralization of cheese whey).
- It cannot remove non-ionized solutes (sugars), bacteria, or suspended colloidal particles, which are instead separated using pressure-driven membrane processes like ultrafiltration or microfiltration.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Electrodialysis is extensively used in the desalting process, which corresponds to option (D).
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