Abstract: The present inventions are directed to fluid flow assemblies, and systems incorporating such assemblies, each assembly comprising a conductive element disposed within a non-conductive element; the non-conductive element being characterized as framing the conductive central element and the elements together defining a substantially planar surface when engaged with one another; each of the conductive and non-conductive elements comprising channels which, when taken together, form a flow pattern on the substantially planar surface; and wherein the channels are restricted, terminated, or both restricted and terminated in the non-conductive element.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing magnetic particles comprises a sealed enclosure and a magnetic field source. The sealed enclosure comprises an inlet into the enclosure and an outlet from the enclosure. The configuration of the sealed enclosure and of the inlet and the outlet are such that fluid containing the magnetic particles that is introduced into the enclosure through the inlet exhibits a spiral flow towards the outlet. The magnetic field source is disposed to the enclosure to intermittently apply a magnetic field to the fluid contained therein.

Abstract: The present inventions are directed to fluid flow assemblies, and systems incorporating such assemblies, each assembly comprising a conductive element disposed within a non-conductive element; the non-conductive element being characterized as framing the conductive central element and the elements together defining a substantially planar surface when engaged with one another; each of the conductive and non-conductive elements comprising channels which, when taken together, form a flow pattern on the substantially planar surface; and wherein the channels are restricted, terminated, or both restricted and terminated in the non-conductive element.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus includes an anode compartment provided with an anode and a cathode compartment spaced from the anode compartment and provided with a cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are configured for coupling to a DC power source to effect an electric potential difference between the anode and the cathode and thereby influence transport of ionic material in liquid media and ion exchange media by the influence of the electric potential difference. The electrodeionization apparatus also includes a feed inlet receiving a feed solution, a product water outlet and a plurality of anion exchange membranes and a plurality of cation exchange membranes alternately arranged between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus includes an anode compartment provided with an anode and a cathode compartment spaced from the anode compartment and provided with a cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are configured for coupling to a DC power source to effect an electric potential difference between the anode and the cathode and thereby influence transport of ionic material in liquid media and ion exchange media by the influence of the electric potential difference. The electrodeionization apparatus also includes a feed inlet receiving a feed solution, a product water outlet and a plurality of anion exchange membranes and a plurality of cation exchange membranes alternately arranged between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: A spacer element (1) is disclosed having an integral screen for use in filled cell electrodialysis. The spacer (1) has a continuous portion (2) impermeable to flow and a screen (3) which spans a centrally-located flow treatment region that contains active treatment material, such as ion exchange beads. The screen (3) may perform a structural function, allowing operation at elevated pressure, and may also define a minimum gap between adjacent membranes and enhance mixing along the flow path and at cell boundaries. The spacer element (1) may be configured to enhance hydraulic filling of the cells, and cell architecture is readily implemented in a wide range of useful flow path geometries utilizing the screen spacer element (1).

Abstract: An improved apparatus and operating method related thereto for deionizing water to produce substantially pure water using electric field and ion exchange materials are disclosed, including embodiments incorporating one or more of the novel features of brine and electrode streams flowing in a direction counter-current to the stream being deionized, a filling of the brine stream with stratified ion exchange materials, a stream mixing feature for mixing the stream being deionized, a gas removal feature for removal of gases, a spiral-wound embodiment of an electrodialysis device according to the invention, and a method for determining the preferred operating current for electrodialysis systems according to this invention.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to an electrodeionization device that includes comprising a generally cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing includes a cylindrical inner core and an inner electrode that extends around the inner core. The cylindrical housing includes a leaf arranged as a spiral winding about the inner electrode and an outer electrode that extends about the spiral winding. Active treatment cells are defined by spaces within the spiral winding and by interleaf spaces thereof. One or more sealing bands extend between membranes of the spiral winding to define fluid flow.

Abstract: EDI apparatus for demineralizing a liquid flow is assembled in a housing having a cylindrical shape, and includes two metal electrodes, and one or more leafs, each leaf comprising a pair of selectively ion-permeable membranes arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by spacing elements that allow liquid to flow in the interstitial space between membranes, thus forming an arrangement of dilute and concentrate cells in a desired flow configuration. Spacing elements between membranes, as well as between leaves, can be formed of inert polymer material, ion exchange beads, ion exchange fibers, a combination of two or more these elements, or a porous media incorporating one or more of such elements as an intrinsic part. An inner or central electrode and an outer or perimeter electrode establish a generally uniform and radially-oriented electrical or ionic current between the inner and the outer electrodes, across the helical flow spaces defined by the membrane/spacer windings.

Abstract: An electrodeionization, (EDI) apparatus has flow cells with a sparse distribution of ion exchange (IX) material or beads. The beads extend between membranes defining opposed walls of the cell to separate and support the membranes, and form a layer substantially free of bead-to-bead dead-end reverse junctions. The beads enhance capture of ions from surrounding fluid in dilute cells, and do not throw salt when operating current is increased. In concentrating cells, the sparse bead filling provides a stable low impedance bridge to enhanced power utilization in the stack. A monotype sparse filling may be used in concentrate cells, while mixed, layered, striped, graded or other beads may be employed in dilute cells. Ion conduction paths are no more than a few grains long and the lower packing density permits effective fluid flow.

Abstract: EDI apparatus for demineralizing a liquid flow is assembled in a housing having a cylindrical shape, and includes two metal electrodes, and one or more leafs, each leaf comprising a pair of selectively ion-permeable membranes arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by spacing elements that allow liquid to flow in the interstitial space between membranes, thus forming an arrangement of dilute and concentrate cells in a desired flow configuration. Spacing elements between membranes, as well as between leaves, can be formed of inert polymer material, ion exchange beads, ion exchange fibers, a combination of two or more these elements, or a porous media incorporating one or more of such elements as an intrinsic part. An inner or central electrode and an outer or perimeter electrode establish a generally uniform and radially-oriented electrical or ionic current between the inner and the outer electrodes, across the helical flow spaces defined by the membrane/spacer windings.

Abstract: EDI apparatus for demineralizing a liquid flow is assembled in a housing having a cylindrical shape, and includes two metal electrodes, and one or more leafs, each leaf comprising a pair of selectively ion-permeable membranes arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by spacing elements that allow liquid to flow in the interstitial space between membranes, thus forming an arrangement of dilute and concentrate cells in a desired flow configuration. Spacing elements between membranes, as well as between leaves, can be formed of inert polymer material, ion exchange beads, ion exchange fibers, a combination of two or more these elements, or a porous media incorporating one or more of such elements as an intrinsic part. An inner or central electrode and an outer or perimeter electrode establish a generally uniform and radially-oriented electrical or ionic current between the inner and the outer electrodes, across the helical flow spaces defined by the membrane/spacer windings.

Abstract: EDI apparatus for demineralizing a liquid flow is assembled in a housing having a cylindrical shape, and includes two metal electrodes, and one or more leafs, each leaf comprising a pair of selectively ion-permeable membranes arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by spacing elements that allow liquid to flow in the interstitial space between membranes, thus forming an arrangement of dilute and concentrate cells in a desired flow configuration. Spacing elements between membranes, as well as between leaves, can be formed of inert polymer material, ion exchange beads, ion exchange fibers, a combination of two or more these elements, or a porous media incorporating one or more of such elements as an intrinsic part. An inner or central electrode and an outer or perimeter electrode establish a generally uniform and radially-oriented electrical or ionic current between the inner and the outer electrodes, across the helical flow spaces defined by the membrane/spacer windings.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and operating method related thereto for deionizing water to produce substantially pure water using electric field and ion exchange materials are disclosed, including embodiments incorporating one or more of the novel features of brine and electrode streams flowing in a direction counter-current to the stream being deionized, a filling of the brine stream with stratified ion exchange materials, a stream mixing feature for mixing the stream being deionized, a gas removal feature for removal of gases, a spiral-wound embodiment of an electrodialysis device according to the invention, and a method for determining the preferred operating current for electrodialysis systems according to this invention.

Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus are disclosed for continuously producing the cation conductivity, anion conductivity, and temperature data required for continuous monitoring of the pH of high-purity aqueous solution flows. The cation exchange material and the anion exchange material used for conditioning water samples for conductivity measurements are continuously regenerated by applying a DC electric voltage between an anode and a cathode either across the cation exchange material, whereby hydrogen ions generated at the anode move through the cation exchange material displacing cations previously absorbed and these displaced cations under the influence of the electric field migrate to the cathode, or across the anion exchange material, whereby hydroxyl ions generated at the cathode regenerate the anion exchange material.