Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. Functionalized nanoparticles are deposited through self assembly onto surfaces defining the nanochannels so as to decrease the final diameter of the membrane. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices and methods for water treatment are disclosed. An electrodeionization device (100) may include one or more compartments (110) containing an ionselective media, such as boron-selective resin (170). Cyclic adsorption of target ions and regeneration of the media in-situ is used to treat process water, and may be driven by the promotion of various pH conditions within the electrochemical device.

Abstract: A deionization device including at least one flow path configured for an influent fluid; at least one pair of electrodes; at least one charge barrier disposed between the at least one flow path and a corresponding electrode of the at least one pair of electrodes; and at least one electrolyte solution disposed between at least one electrode of the at least one pair of electrodes and a corresponding charge barrier of the at least one charge barrier, wherein at least one electrode of the at least one pair of electrodes includes an electrochemical redox active material, and the at least one electrolyte solution and the influent fluid are different.

Abstract: A textured water-splitting membrane comprises an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer to form a heterogeneous water-splitting interface therebetween, and a textured surface having a pattern of texture features comprising spaced apart peaks and valleys. The membranes can also have an integral spacer on the membrane. A cartridge can be fabricated with a plurality of the membranes for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell can be part of an electrochemical ion exchange system.

Abstract: A device according to one embodiment includes a porous membrane having a surface charge and pore configuration characterized by a double layer overlap effect being present in pores of the membrane. A device according to another embodiment includes a porous membrane having a surface charge in pores thereof sufficient to impart anion or cation selectivity in the pores.

Abstract: A pure water producing apparatus prevents fluctuations in the amount of produced pure water without requiring a heat exchanger. Raw water is filtered with an activated carbon filtration device, sent through a water supply pump to the reverse osmosis device, and demineralized. Demineralized water output from the reverse osmosis device contacts a water quality sensor including a water temperature sensor, is sent to an electrodeionization device, and subjected to electrodeionization. Water subjected to electrodeionization contacts a water quality sensor having a water temperature sensor, and is taken out as treated water. A sensing signal output from the water temperature sensor is input to a pump control circuit to control an amount of the water supplied from the pump so that an amount of water passing through the reverse osmosis device is maintained constant.

Abstract: Membranes and processes for preparing membranes having weakly acidic or weakly basic groups comprising the steps of: (i) applying a curable composition to a support; (ii) curing the composition for less than 30 seconds to form a membrane; and (iii) optionally removing the membrane from the support; wherein the curable composition comprises a crosslinking agent having at least two acrylic groups. The membranes are particularly useful for producing electricity by reverse electrodialysis.

Abstract: A spiral wound module for the electrochemical desalination of aqueous salt-containing solutions, whose feeds for solution to be desalinated and whose discharge for desalinated water are mounted on side walls of the dilution chamber of the module, permits an axial instead of tangential flow in the dilution chamber.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes a cation exchange chamber containing a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange chamber containing an anion exchange resin. A bipolar interface is located between the resin chambers and defines a zone of water disassociation. A cathode communicates with the cation exchange chamber through a cation exchange membrane. An anode communicates with the anion exchange chamber through an anion exchange membrane. Dilution or flushing water flows through cathode and anode chambers and conveys captured ions to a drain or other waste connection. A baffle may be used in some configurations to divide a resin chamber into an exhausted resin region and a regenerated resin region and causes incoming water to flow through the exhausted resin region first. The exhausted resin region is located near its associated electrode, thus improving the electrical efficiency of the cell.

Abstract: an electrodeionization apparatus is provided comprising an ion-concentrating compartment partially bounded by an anion permeable membrane and also partially bounded by a cation permeable membrane, and a first ion exchange material domain disposed within the ion-concentrating compartment, wherein the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous with at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface of one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, and is spaced apart from the other one of the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane. In the case where the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, having the at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface with which the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous, is an anion permeable membrane, the first ion exchange material domain is an anion exchange material predominant domain.

Abstract: An electrodeionization deionized water producing apparatus includes, between an anode chamber having an anode and a cathode chamber having a cathode, a desalination chamber in which a side near the anode is demarcated by an anion exchange membrane and a side near the cathode is demarcated by a cation exchange membrane, and a concentrating chamber in which a side near the anode is demarcated by a cation exchange membrane and a side near the cathode is demarcated by an anion exchange membrane, and the anode side of the anion exchange membrane is filled with an anion exchanger. In the electrodeionization deionized water producing apparatus, water containing free carbon dioxide is supplied to the concentrating chamber and formation of scales in the concentrating chamber during a continuous operation of a long period is inhibited.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus is provided comprising an ion-concentrating compartment partially bounded by an anion permeable membrane and also partially bounded by a cation permeable membrane, and a first ion exchange material domain disposed within the ion-concentrating compartment, wherein the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous with at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface of one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, and is spaced apart from the other one of the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane. In the case where the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, having the at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface with which the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous, is an anion permeable membrane, the first ion exchange material domain is an anion exchange material predominant domain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing purified water. Treated water may be provided for domestic use wherein the water may be treated by removing selected dissolved species while retaining properties that may improve the properties or aesthetics of the water.

Abstract: There is provided herein a membrane package comprising a plurality of membranes, wherein said membrane package is adapted to facilitate a feed stream flow having a process stream flow wherein said hydrodynamic resistance of said feed stream flow is substantially the same as said hydrodynamic resistance of said process stream flow.

Abstract: Microbial processes and systems are provided according to the present invention for desalination of saline materials, such as aqueous mixtures including dissolved salts. Microbial desalination devices according to embodiments of the present invention create hydrogen gas in a configuration referred to as a microbial electrolysis desalination cell (MEDC), or electricity in a configuration referred to as a microbial fuel desalination cell (MFDC) in addition to desalination of saline materials.

Abstract: The disclosed techniques involve electrical separation systems that allow recovery of species from feedstreams, typically aqueous solutions. The disclosed techniques can also provide electrical separation systems having reduced tendency to form scale especially when water is being purified to reduce the concentration of hardness-causing species.

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: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source and an electrodeionization unit. The carbon source and urease source can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: An electrochemical treating device having low scale potential is disclosed. The device has a variety of configurations directed to the layering of the anionic exchange and cationic exchange. The treatment device can also comprise unevenly sized ion exchange resin beads and/or have at least one compartment that provides a dominating resistance that results in a uniform current distribution throughout the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell 102 comprises an ion exchange membrane 10 having anion and cation exchange materials. The membrane 10 can have separate anion and cation exchange layers 12, 14 that define a heterogeneous water-splitting interface therebetween. In one version, the membrane 10 has a textured surface having a pattern of texture features 26 comprising spaced apart peaks 28 and valleys 30. The membranes 10 can also have an integral spacer 80. A cartridge 100 can be fabricated with a plurality of the membranes 10 for insertion in a housing 129 of the electrochemical cell 102. The housing 129 can also have a detachable lid 96 that fits on the cartridge 100. The electrochemical cell 102 can be part of an ion controlling apparatus 120.

Abstract: An electrodeionization device for large-volume ultra-pure deionization of water is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of alternating ion depletion and concentration compartments, interposed between an anode assembly and a cathode assembly, through which flows either a product stream or a waste stream. Each compartment contains several fluid-accessible channels packed with an appropriate ion-exchange medium. The flow of the waste and product streams among the compartments is “parallel” (i.e., contemporaneous). The flow of a stream through the compartments—i.e., through the channels therein—is “serial” (i.e., sequential). In an embodiment, electrical current is generated through the compartments using segmented electrodes—either in the anode and/or the cathode assembly—that are connected to a single multiple-outlet power source. The device is fast, efficient, robust, and its configuration is comparatively easy to scale upwards to accommodate larger water processing volumes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising independently addressable arrays of interdigitated electrodes can be used to assembly and transport large-scale microparticle structures. The device and method uses collective phenomena in a negatively polarized suspension exposed to a high-gradient strong ac electric field to assemble the particles into predetermined locations and then transport them collectively to a work area for final assembly by sequentially energizing the electrode arrays.

Abstract: An on-demand system for intermittent high purity water production which by locating a storage tank for pre-polished water just prior to a final high purity polishing device reduces the potential for stagnant water in the system to reduce or degrade product high purity water quality and reduces the actual degradation of high purity water quality. Pre-polished water is preferably produced by reverse osmosis. Final polished water is produced by continuous electrodeionization.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the deionization of liquids through the use of electrodeionization methods and apparatuses. The apparatuses may be configured to minimize the fouling of the electrode chambers and to provide continuous regeneration of the ion exchange materials. The apparatuses may be configured according to the desired levels of deionization for anions, cations, or both. Finally, methods are presented for various uses of the apparatuses.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the deionization of liquids through the use of electrodeionization methods and apparatuses. The apparatuses may be configured to minimize the fouling of the electrode chambers and to provide continuous regeneration of the ion exchange materials. The apparatuses may be configured according to the desired levels of deionization for anions, cations, or both. Finally, methods are presented for various uses of the apparatuses.

Abstract: This invention presents an ion exchange media including a plurality of cation exchange zones and anion exchange zones in flow paths that are contained in a substantially nonporous resin transport framework. During electrodeionization and other potential applications the ion exchange media of the invention prevents unfavorable water splitting at resin-membrane interfaces and encourages water splitting at resin-resin interfaces where the water splitting may be constructively used to regenerate the resin.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a filter and at least one electrodeionization (EDI) unit for chemical recovery. The filter is adapted to receive a fluid and to remove a selected chemical element or contaminant from the fluid. The EDI unit is coupled to the filter and adapted to recover a chemical element from the fluid and to separate the recovered chemical element from the fluid.

Abstract: Silica and boron are particularly removed at high rate in processing by the electrodeionization apparatus. An electrodeionization apparatus has an anolyte compartment 17 having an anode 11, a catholyte compartment 18 having a cathode 12, concentrating compartments 15, and desalting compartments 16. The concentrating compartments 15 and the desalting compartments 16 are alternately formed between the anolyte compartment 17 and the catholyte compartment 18 by alternately arranging a plurality of anion-exchange membranes 13 and a plurality of cation-exchange membranes 14. The desalting compartments 16 and the concentrating compartments 15 are filled with ion-exchanger. The anion exchanger/cation exchanger volume ratio is 8/2 to 5/5. Electrode water flows into the anolyte compartment 17 and the catholyte compartment 18. Concentrated water is introduced into the concentrating compartments 15. Raw water is fed into the desalting compartment 16 to produce the deionized water from the desalting compartment 16.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods, systems, and devices for electrically purifying liquids containing species such as minerals, salts, ions, organics, and the like. One aspect of the invention provides methods of regenerating media within an electrical purification device, for example, exposing the media to one or more eluting solutions, and/or selectively desorbing ions, organics, and/or other species from the media by exposing the media to certain eluting conditions. In yet another aspect, methods of selectively removing one or more ions, organics, and/or other species from a liquid to be purified are provided, e.g., by selective removal of one or more ions, or organics, and the like from solution that can easily precipitate, and/or cause scaling or fouling to occur.

Abstract: A liquid or water treatment apparatus comprising one or both of an electrodialysis cell and a cavitation unit. The cavitation unit generates cavitation in the liquid by flow of the liquid into a constriction where cavitation bubbles are formed and then to an outlet where cavitation bubbles implode, and the constriction includes an aperture formed by walls which are long and narrowly spaced in a plane normal to the flow direction. The electrodialysis cell is arranged with an inlet flow path for directing only part of a quantity of water to be treated through the electrodialysis cell, and an outlet flow path for returning a product of the electrodialysis cell to the remainder of the water.

Abstract: A target compound treatment apparatus of a size capable of being mounted under a sink, the apparatus comprising a destruction zone in which an aqueous solution containing at least one target compound is exposed to a destruction agent adapted to convert the target compound into destruction byproduct; a filtration zone in which a filtration agent removes the destruction byproduct from the solution; and a flow inducer/pump adapted to cause the aqueous solution to flow through the apparatus. The destruction agent may comprise an acid, a base, an oxidizing agent, or a reducing agent. The destruction agent may be available on a surface of a solid substrate disposed within the destruction zone, or it may be available in a gaseous or liquid reagent that is admixed with the aqueous solution. The filtration agent may be comprised of an adsorption media such as activated carbon and/or other filtration means for removing destruction byproduct.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressed ion analysis in which a sample solution of analyte (e.g., anion) in an eluent of electrolyte counterions (e.g., sodium), is chromatographically separated. Then, the counterions are suppressed in a suppression zone and removed and used to convert the analyte ions to salt form in a salt-converting zone. The suppression and salt-converting zones may be contiguous or remote, and may be performed in devices of the membrane suppresser type. Thereafter, the salts or acids or bases formed from them (e.g., in membrane suppressor devices) are detected. Also, salt conversion can be performed using two ion exchange packed bed salt convertors in which one bed is on-line while the other is regenerated, followed by a reversal of flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water treatment or purification system and method for providing treated water in industrial, commercial and residential applications. The treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing at least a portion of any hardness-causing species contained in water from a water source, such as municipal water, well water, brackish water and water containing foulants. The water treatment system includes an electrochemical device, such as an electrodeionization device, that can have at least one compartment that generates and traps hydrogen ions which can be used in another compartment of the electrochemical device such as, an electrode compartment, to reduce or at least dissolve any scale. Other applications of the system would be in the treatment and processing of foods and beverages, sugars, various industries such as the chemical, pharmaceutical, waste water treatment and power generating industries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing purified water. An electrochemical system can be configured to pass product water through depletion compartments as well as a cathode compartment. An electrochemical apparatus may also be configured to pass concentrate through both concentrating compartments and an anode compartment.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices able to purify fluids electrically that are contained within pressure vessels, as well as to methods of manufacture and use thereof. Liquids or other fluids to be purified enter the purification device and, under the influence of an electric field, are treated to produce an ion-depleted liquid. Species from the entering liquids are collected to produce an ion-concentrated liquid. Increasing the exterior pressure on the device may reduce the pressure difference between the interior of the device and the exterior, which may reduce manufacturing costs or simplify construction.

Abstract: Electrolytic eluent recycle systems for ion chromatography using a multi-channel electrolytic ion exchange device which integrates suppression, eluent generation, and eluent recycle. The systems recycle the eluent into the analytical system without passing the eluent through the electrode chambers. Also, such systems with a channel for electrolytic removal of ions from the suppression effluent before recycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrochemically modifying the retention of a species on a chromatography material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having an effluent flow channel adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough. The effluent flow channel comprises chromatography material. The apparatus further comprises first and second electrodes positioned such that at least a portion of the chromatography material is disposed between the first and second electrodes, and fluid flow through the apparatus is between, and in contact with, the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water treatment apparatus having one or more chambers comprising the step of: filling at least one chamber with ion exchanger resin; wherein at least one ion exchanger resin is dry. Preferably, the dry ion exchange resin has a water content of 0-40 wt %, preferably 0-20 wt %, and more preferably 0-10 wt %, such that the volume of the dry ion exchange resin is 25-50 vol % less than the volume of the same ion exchange resin in a moist or wetted form. One form of suitable water treatment apparatus is an EDI apparatus comprising a plurality of chambers to form a stack, for the purification of the water. The present invention provides an easier method of filling of chambers compared with the use of wetted or moist resins, and ‘over filling’ of the cells of water treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A water treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing a portion of any hardness-causing species contained in water from a point-of-entry coming from a water source, such as municipal water, well water, brackish water and water containing foulants. The water treatment system typically treats the water containing at least some undesirable species before delivering the treated water to a point of use. The water treatment system has a controller for adjusting or regulating at least one operating parameter of the treatment system or a component of the water treatment system to optimize the operation and performance of the system or components of the system. A flow regulator regulates a waste stream flow to drain and can be operated to recirculate fluid through electrode or concentrating compartments of an electrochemical device and can opened and closed intermittently according to a predetermined schedule or based on an operating parameter of the water treatment system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical deionization apparatus suitable for an ultra pure water production system allowing high pressure raw water from an atomic power plant to be reused as the ultra water. The electric deionization stack 10 comprises a plurality of compartments defined by a compartment frame 11 and an ion exchange membrane 12. The compartments at the opposite ends construct an anode compartment 13 and a cathode compartment 14. The compartments, which are located between the anode compartment 13 and the cathode compartment 14, construct at least one concentrating compartment 15 and at least one deionizing compartment 16. Each compartment frame 11a constructing the concentrating compartment 15 has a concentrated water outlet 17. Each compartment frame 11b constructing the deionizing compartment 16 has a treated water outlet 18. In the pressure vessel 20, a concentrated water chamber 24 and a treated water chamber 25 are partitioned by a partition plate 23.

Abstract: An electric deionization device capable of sufficiently removing weak electrolyte components and producing processed desalting chamber having rectangular-parallelepiped frame 20, a compartment member 21 disposed in the frame 20 and, desirably, having conductivity, an ion exchange resin 23 filled in small chambes 22 formed by the compartment member 21, and an anion exchange membrane 24 and a cation exchange membrane 25 disposed so as to hold the frame 20. The compartment member 21 is formed in a hexagonal honeycomb shape. The ion exchange membrane 23 is the mixture of an anion exchange resin with a cation exchange resin, and its mixing ratio on the upstream side is different from that on the downstream side.

Abstract: An electrodelonization apparatus comprising multiple anion exchange membranes 13 and cation exchange membranes 14 that are alternately arranged between a cathode 12 and an anode 11 to alternately form concentrating compartments 15 and desalting compartments 16 is described. The concentrating compartments 15 and the desalting compartments 16 are filled with ion exchangers, and the filling ratio of anion exchanger to cation exchanger of the ion exchanger in the concentrating compartments 15 is higher than that of the ion exchanger in the desalting compartments 16.

Abstract: This invention describes a method and apparatus for the In Vitro treatment process of purifying and maintaining the sterility of water thereby replacing existing transient technology that is flawed by repeated handling inside and outside the medical environment where this technology is intended for use i. e. hemodialysis clinics, trauma centers, burn centers, general medical institutions the pharmaceutical packager and other locations and applications where purified sterile water is required.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for removing ionisable impurities from an electrolyte solution in an electromembrane device. The apparatus comprises means for recirculating the electrolyte solution between the cathode and the anode, and means for transferring selected ions from the electrolyte solution into a separate stream upon application of a current.

Abstract: An electrodeionization (EDI) apparatus and method comprising an ion-depleting chamber for removing ions from liquids passed therethrough, wherein a resistive component is coupled proximate the outlet region of the chamber so as to increase the electrical resistance of the outlet region of the chamber with respect to the inlet region of the chamber. The resistive component may be coupled to the ion-selective membranes bordering the diluting chamber and/or the concentrate chambers. In an alternative embodiment, the resistive component may be coupled between the ion-exchanging media particles themselves within the ion-depleting chambers. In each embodiment, the electrical resistance of the outlet region is increased with respect to the inlet region of the chamber, with results being that electrical current is shifted from the outlet region toward the inlet region, thus enhancing overall deionization performance of the EDI device.

Abstract: Injection bonded articles comprised of a rigid core and secured together with an elastomeric material network which also forms seals and encapsulates at least a portion of the rigid core. The elastomeric material is selected to be compatible with the material comprising the rigid core to create a chemical and mechanical bond therebetween. Injection bonding and over-molding techniques are used to fabricate an electrodeionization apparatus spacer comprised of mated rigid segments secured by a unitary elastomeric material network that also forms internal and external seals that fluidly isolate one or more of inlet ports, resin cavities, and outlet ports as well as throughports. Injection bonding and over-molding techniques can also be used to fabricate other articles comprised of multiple segments.

Abstract: A porous ion exchanger includes an open cell structure including interconnected macropores and mesopores whose average diameter is in a range of 1 to 1000 ?m existing on walls of the macropores. Moreover, a total pore volume is in a range of 1 to 50 ml/g, ion exchange groups are uniformly distributed, and an ion exchange capacity is not less than 0.5 mg equivalent/g of dry porous ion exchanger. The porous ion exchanger can be used as an ion exchanger filled into a deionization module of an electrodeionization water purification device, solid acid catalyst, adsorbent, and filler for chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a turn-back electrodeionization apparatus in which the central section of cation exchange membrane and anion exchange membrane constituting a dilute chamber is adhered along axial direction, and the dilute chamber is separated into an inner side dilute chamber unit and an outside dilute chamber unit, so that the dilute sequentially flows through the outside dilute chamber unit and inner side dilute chamber unit in a turn-back way.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices able to purify fluids electrically that are contained within pressure vessels, as well as to methods of manufacture and use thereof. Liquids or other fluids to be purified enter the purification device and, under the influence of an electric field, are treated to produce an ion-depleted liquid. Species from the entering liquids are collected to produce an ion-concentrated liquid. Increasing the exterior pressure on the device may reduce the pressure difference between the interior of the device and the exterior, which may reduce manufacturing costs or simplify construction.

Abstract: A helical electrodeionization apparatus is adapted to purify aqueous liquids to effect the production of high purity water. An insulated net-separating wall is positioned between a pair of anion and cation exchange membranes to form a special membrane bag type flow unit I, each flow unit I is linked up with a group of slots on the side walls of central pipe, and is rolled up to form cylinder structure which centers on central pipe as the helical axis, a conductive crust is formed by winding metal strip or wire outside the cylinder. Ion exchange resin is filled up between the adjacent membrane bags to form flow unit II. The present invention has less pressure drop and needs less power, and is suited to multiple-device series operation. Preferably, daily maintenance and renewal of the resin is convenient, and production cost is lower.