Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions including a plurality of capacitive electrode stacks. Each capacitive electrode stack may have: a plurality of first electrodes including a plurality of first current collectors; a plurality of second electrodes including a plurality of second current collectors; and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The second current collectors of a first of the plurality of capacitive electrode stacks may be connected to the first current collectors of a second of the plurality of capacitive electrode stacks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing slag produced by iron and steel making processes are disclosed. The slag is treated produce a series of valued industrial products, such as metal oxides, metal carbonates, rare-earth metals, and water glass. The systems and methods also integrate slag processing with CO2 sequestration and flue gas desulphurization. Processing slag minimizes the land use for stockpiling or landfilling wastes produced from iron and steel making processes and protects the ground water underneath. Overall, the solid and gaseous emissions of an energy-intensive and highly polluted industrial process have been largely reduced, recycled and valorized in order to achieve a near zero-emission goal.

Abstract: Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) fluid can be transported through an electrochemical device, which has a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between a pair of gas-permeable electrodes that include respective catalysts. At an inlet side, the catalyst facilitates reaction of HFO with hydrogen carrier gas. The resulting cation is transported across PEM in the presence of an electric field applied to the electrodes. At an outlet side, the catalyst of the opposing electrode facilitates dissociation of the cation back into HFO and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the transported HFO has a higher pressure than that before the electrochemical device. In some embodiments, the electrochemical device can be operated in reverse to expand HFO fluid and/or to recapture power. The electrochemical device can thus be used as a compressor or expander for vapor-phase HFO or as a pump or expander for liquid-phase HFO, for example, in power generation or heating/cooling cycles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel and advantageous process for the purification of biomass hydrolysate as well as the purified hydrolysate produced after the inventive process and the use of the purified hydrolysate as a fermentation medium.

Abstract: A stack of electrochemical cells for wastewater treatment is disclosed comprising at least one electrochemical cell having a solid polymer membrane, an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer adjacent to each side of the membrane, an open pore mesh placed next to each of the catalyst layers and a compression frame placed next to each open pore mesh. A cover is placed between the compression frames of two neighbouring electrochemical cells in the stack thereby forming an enclosure which spans the distance between the two neighbouring electrochemical cells thereby isolating the cathode catalyst layer or the anode catalyst layer from the solution in the reactor tank in which the stack is immersed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for extracting lithium from a lithium-containing material. For example, the method can comprise leaching a roasted lithium-containing material under conditions suitable to obtain an aqueous composition comprising a lithium compound such as lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate. The aqueous composition comprising lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate can optionally be used, for example, in a method for preparing lithium hydroxide comprising an electromembrane process. The roasted lithium-containing material can be prepared, for example by a method which uses an aqueous composition comprising optionally lithium sulfate and/or lithium bisulfate which can be obtained from a method for preparing lithium hydroxide comprising an electromembrane process such as a two-compartment monopolar or bipolar electrolysis process.

Abstract: A system comprises a first electrode, an electrolyte membrane, and a second electrode. The first electrode is configured to reduce oxygen in a gas to an oxygen carrier ion at an intermediate temperature. The electrolyte membrane is configured to transport the oxygen carrier ion, and the second electrode is configured to oxidize the oxygen carrier ion to an oxygen molecule. Oxidation of the oxygen molecule consumes less than four electrons.

Abstract: There are provided processes for preparing lithium hydroxide that comprise submitting an aqueous composition comprising a lithium compound to an electrolysis or an electrodialysis under conditions suitable for converting at least a portion of the lithium compound into lithium hydroxide. For example, the lithium compound can be lithium sulphate and the aqueous composition can be at least substantially maintained at a pH having a value of about 1 to about 4.

Abstract: To provide an ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis which is a membrane having a high water permeability and being capable of maintaining a low electrolysis voltage while suppressing the amount of water supplied to a cathode chamber to be minimum, and which is capable of forming an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution having a high caustic alkali quality. The ion exchange membrane for alkali chloride electrolysis comprises a layer 12 made of a fluorinated polymer having carboxylic acid functional groups, and a layer 14A and a layer 14B made of a fluorinated polymer having sulfonic acid functional groups, wherein a reinforcing material 20 containing reinforcing threads 22 is disposed between the layer 14A and the layer 14B, the thickness when dried, of the layer 12 is from 9 to 28 ?m, the layer 14B includes a layer having an ion exchange capacity of from 1.3 to 2.

Abstract: An apparatus that functions as an influent multiple passage reactor adaptable to simultaneously carry out a series of functions including effluent contaminant dissociation and molecular oxidation utilizing electrolytic and catalytic reactions is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a concentric outside that may be constructed of an electrically conductive material to serve as a first electrode. A smaller second concentric electrode mounted inside the outside housing may serve as a first cathode, with a third but smaller concentric electrode mounted inside the first cathode serving as a second anode, with yet a fourth but even smaller concentric electrode mounted inside the second anode serving as a second cathode and thereof (with additional anode/cathodes further included as desired). Between each electrode an influent passageway is formed with the series of electrodes and passageways stabilized by two slotted end caps which also serve to seal the apparatus housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the at least temporary retention of charged biologically active substances such as endotoxins, viruses, and proteins from liquids, and optional later release for better determination. The object is achieved by a method for the at least temporary separation and/or detection of charged biologically active substances in a liquid by means of electrosorption and/or electrofiltration, comprising the following steps: a. providing a polymer membrane with a flat and porous metal coating at least on a first side of the polymer membrane; b. providing a counterelectrode; c. applying a voltage between the metal coating of the polymer membrane and the counterelectrode; d. bringing the polymer membrane and the counterelectrode into contact with the liquid, with the contacting being performed such that the liquid generates at least one connection between the polymer membrane and the counterelectrode.

Abstract: A method for extracting an elemental metal from agricultural waste including collecting a sample of the waste and performing an electrochemical extraction on the waste to producing a metal precipitate and a byproduct. The method further including collecting the metal precipitate and byproduct produced via the electrochemical extraction for further reaction, recycling, sale, or reuse.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed an ion exchange membrane that has an increased affinity for a specific ionic species. The ion exchange membranes disclosed herein include ionophores that can increase ion-selectivity. These ion exchange membranes can be incorporated to various ion-exchange systems or devices that can selectively separate ions of value.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s) (e.g., colloids). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created and/or the liquid is predisposed to their presence (e.g., conditioned)) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. Processing enhancers can be utilized alone or with a plasma. Semicontinuous and batch processes can also be utilized.

Abstract: A deep sludge dewatering method using electroosmosis with filter bags, including (1) placing a filter bag on a slope on which a cathode electrode is arranged; (2) injecting sludge into the filter bag, and after the filter bag is filled with the sludge, closing an inlet of the filter bag; and (3) laying an anode electrode on the filter bag filled with the sludge, and connecting the cathode electrode and the anode electrode to a DC power supply via an electric wire, and carrying out energization for electroosmosis so that water flows down the slope. The present invention can be used for recycling of the sludge produced in underground and tunnel excavation projects, and has the advantages of large processing capacity, simple process, good treatment effect and available resource recycling.

Abstract: A system including a solar panel device; an electric conducting plate implement that is configured to submerge within a water expanse containing at least salt to produce at least one of, a sodium hypo-chloride and chlorine; a power transformer coupled to the solar panel device and said electric conducting plate implement, wherein the power transformer is configured to regulate the electricity produced by the solar panel device and provide the regulated power to the electric conducting plate implement; an electronic timer device that is configured to switch a flow of current through the electric conducting plate implement at a predetermined interval; a sealed aluminum air tight frame for housing the solar panel device to substantially prevent water from leaking into the solar panel device; and a buoyant implement for receiving the sealed aluminum air tight frame and configured to keep the solar panel device above water.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reservoir for an aqueous salt solution, at least two electrodes spaced apart from each other integrated into the reservoir, a control module electrically coupled to the at least two electrodes, wherein the control module controls application of electricity to cause a first one of the at least two electrodes to be positively charged and a second one of the at least two electrodes to be negatively charged, and an impeller disposed in the reservoir for mixing the aqueous salt solution in the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus is constructed from at least one electrochemical cell including a bipolar ion exchange membrane and having a single output orifice to deliver treated fluid. The apparatus may employ a power supply transformer featuring a magnetic dispersion bridge to regulate the magnetic flux to secondary coils, thereby limiting the current delivered to the load and protecting the apparatus from over-current damage. The cell includes a membrane assembly which incorporates both the inner and outer electrodes to provide repeatable assembly and service, as well as reliable performance. The apparatus will provide continuous fluid treatment when designed with at least two stages, each stage including at least one cell, in which one stage is treating influent solution and another stage is regenerating.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s).

Abstract: A method of producing manganese metal or EMD by leaching a source of manganese with a solution comprising sulfuric acid to form a leach solution, adding one or more sulfides generated in a sulfide recycle stage to the leach solution in order to form sulfide precipitates comprising heavy metal sulfides, removing the sulfide precipitates from the leach solution, feeding the leach solution to one or more electrolytic cells, subjecting the purified leach solution to electrolysis so as to deposit manganese metal or EMD, reacting the sulfide precipitates with an acid to generate H2S, producing one or more sulfides from the H2S for recycle. Methods of producing manganese metal and a purified manganese sulfate solution are also provided.