Lanran Tech Powers Sustainable Nitrate Recovery for Zhonghe Group
Lanran Tech has partnered with Xinjiang Zhonghe Co., Ltd. to introduce an advanced bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED) system, transforming nitrate recovery and acid reuse in electrode foil production. Located in the Ganquanbao Industrial Park in Urumqi, Xinjiang, the project provides an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional acid procurement and wastewater management, enhancing Zhonghe’s operational sustainability and cost-efficiency.
Zhonghe Group, a key player in the electrode foil industry, had faced high costs due to reliance on externally sourced nitric acid, a critical input for aluminum etching processes. Additionally, stringent regulations on ammonia nitrogen discharge intensified the need for an innovative solution. The collaboration with Lanran Tech began in 2019 with the installation of the first BPED system. Over five project phases, completed in 2022, the system evolved into a full-scale operation capable of converting 30,000 tons of sodium nitrate annually. This achievement represents a major
milestone in industrial nitrate recovery and acid recycling.
The BPED process addresses the challenges of high nitric acid costs and wastewater management by recovering spent acid for reuse while producing sodium hydroxide as a valuable by-product. Sodium nitrate from waste streams is split into nitric acid and sodium hydroxide under an electric field, with nitrate ions forming nitric acid in the acid chamber and sodium ions forming sodium hydroxide in the base chamber. Both products are reintegrated into production cycles or sold commercially, establishing a closed-loop system with no wastewater discharge.
The implementation of this technology has brought significant benefits. The recovery system now produces up to 4.2 m³/h of nitric acid (36 g/L), generating an annual value of approximately 28 million RMB while drastically reducing raw material costs. Sodium hydroxide, with a 70% water content, adds further value, contributing additional revenue. These advancements have not only enhanced economic efficiency but also ensured full compliance with environmental regulations, eliminating ammonia nitrogen discharge and reducing the need for costly wastewater treatment facilities.
Lanran Tech continues to deliver practical, scalable solutions that redefine resource efficiency across industries, helping partners like Zhonghe achieve sustainable growth.
About Lanran
Lanran Tech is a leading innovator in water treatment and resource recovery solutions, specializing in advanced ion-exchange membrane and electrodialysis technologies. With expertise in waste recycling, carbon capture, and lithium battery recovery, Lanran Tech develops sustainable, scalable solutions for global industries.
More details https://lanrantech.com/
About Zhonghe
Xinjiang Zhonghe Co., Ltd. is a global leader in aluminum-based new materials. With an integrated industrial chain spanning energy, high-purity aluminum, electronic aluminum foil, and electrode foil, Zhonghe is a key player in China’s strategic new materials sector. Committed to green, circular, and low-carbon development, Zhonghe drives innovation to support the advancement of high-quality materials.
