Abstract: An anti-scale electrochemical apparatus comprises at least one ion exchange cell, each cell comprising a housing having a plurality of openings to receive and release a water stream, inner and outer electrodes in the housing, and a water-splitting membrane between the inner and outer electrodes to treat an influent water stream to form an effluent water stream. A controlled-release scale-inhibitor composite comprising a scale-inhibitor agent and a polymer, is provided in the housing or in the water flow pathway of the electrochemical apparatus. An anti-scale, water splitting ion exchange membrane was also fabricated.

Abstract: An anti-scale electrochemical apparatus comprises at least one ion exchange cell, each cell comprising a housing having a plurality of openings to receive and release a water stream, inner and outer electrodes in the housing, and a water-splitting membrane between the inner and outer electrodes to treat an influent water stream to form an effluent water stream. A controlled-release scale-inhibitor composite comprising a scale-inhibitor agent and a polymer, is provided in the housing or in the water flow pathway of the electrochemical apparatus. An anti-scale, water splitting ion exchange membrane was also fabricated.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises an electrochemical cell having fluid orifices to receive input fluid and release output fluid, the input fluid having a first level of a microorganism. First and second electrodes are about a water-splitting membrane in the electrochemical cell. A valve controls the flow of fluid through fluid orifices of the electrochemical cell. A power supply supplies a current to the first and second electrodes. A control module comprises program code to operate the valve to flow the input fluid into a fluid orifice of the electrochemical cell and provide a residence time of the fluid in the cell of at least 0.05 minutes, while controlling the power supply to supply to the first and second electrodes, a current having a current density of from about 0.01 to about 20 mA/cm2.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises an electrochemical cell having fluid orifices to receive input fluid and release output fluid, the input fluid having a first level of a microorganism. First and second electrodes are about a water-splitting membrane in the electrochemical cell. A valve controls the flow of fluid through fluid orifices of the electrochemical cell. A power supply supplies a current to the first and second electrodes. A control module comprises program code to operate the valve to flow the input fluid into a fluid orifice of the electrochemical cell and provide a residence time of the fluid in the cell of at least 0.05 minutes, while controlling the power supply to supply to the first and second electrodes, a current having a current density of from about 0.01 to about 20 mA/cm2.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus for treating a fluid comprises an electrochemical cell having fluid orifices to receive and release fluid, and a fluid passageway connecting the orifices with a water-splitting ion exchange membrane is exposed to the fluid in the passageway. First and second electrodes are positioned about the membrane. The apparatus also comprises a controller to control and operate a power supply and valve system. The power supply supplies a current to the first and second electrodes at sufficiently high current density to result in bacteriostasis, deactivation, or a reduction in the microorganisms in the fluid. The controller can also operate a set of cells to deionize fluid and regenerate the cells.

Abstract: A cartridge for an ion exchanging electrochemical cell, the cartridge comprising at least one spiral wound, textured, bipolar ion exchange membrane having (i) an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer with continuous contact between the anion exchange layer and the cation exchange layer; and (ii) an exposed textured surface having a pattern of texture features. A method of manufacturing a cartridge for an ion exchange electrochemical cell comprises winding the textured, bipolar ion exchange membrane into a spiral wound membrane.

Abstract: A cartridge for an ion exchanging electrochemical cell, the cartridge comprising at least one spiral wound, textured, bipolar ion exchange membrane having (i) an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer with continuous contact between the anion exchange layer and the cation exchange layer; and (ii) an exposed textured surface having a pattern of texture features. A method of manufacturing a cartridge for an ion exchange electrochemical cell comprises winding the textured, bipolar ion exchange membrane into a spiral wound membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat an influent solution comprising ions to obtain a selectable ion concentration in an effluent solution. The apparatus comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a housing comprising first and second electrodes. A water-splitting ion exchange membrane is between the first and second electrodes, the membrane comprising ananion exchange surface facing the first electrode, and an cation exchange surface facing the second electrode, or vice versa. The housing also has an influent solution inlet and an effluent solution outlet with a solution channel that allows influent solution to flow past both the anion and cation exchange surfaces of the water-splitting ion exchange membrane to form the effluent solution. A variable voltage supply is capable of maintaining the first and second electrodes at a plurality of different voltages during an ion exchange stage.

Abstract: A electrochemical cell for removing ions from a solution stream comprises a housing having first and second electrodes. At least one water-splitting ion exchange membrane is positioned between the electrodes, the water-splitting membrane comprising (i) a cation exchange surface facing the first electrode, and (ii) an anion exchange surface facing the second electrode. A solution stream pathway is defined by the water-splitting membrane. The solution stream pathway comprises (i) an inlet for influent solution stream, (ii) at least one channel that allows influent solution stream to flow past at least one surface of the water-splitting membrane to form one or more treated solution streams, and (iii) a single outlet that combines the treated solution streams to form a single effluent solution.