Abstract: A control system includes one or more levels of control of power and energy. At one level, a first controller optimally divides power between two or more processes, to maximize instantaneous production, for a given amount of currently available power. In the case of EDR desalination, electric power is optimally divided between ion exchange membranes and pumps to maximize instantaneous production of desalinated water for a given amount of available electric power. Optionally, at another level, a second controller divides time-varying power between the processes fed by the first level controller and an energy storage unit, based on a prediction of future power availability and a function. In the EDR case, power generated by a photovoltaic array is divided between the EDR desalination process and a battery, based on a prediction of future PV power availability and a function, to ensure reliable water production in the future.

Abstract: Ion-selective separation by shock electrodialysis is performed by applying a voltage differential between electrodes across a porous medium to selectively draw a first species in a liquid toward at least one of the electrodes to a greater degree than a degree to which a second species in the liquid is drawn toward the same electrode. The voltage differential creates a shock in the charged-species concentration in the bulk volume of the liquid within pore channels of the porous medium, wherein the concentration of the first species in a depleted zone of the liquid bulk volume between the shock and the ion-selective boundary is substantially lower than the concentration of the second species in the liquid bulk volume between the shock and the first electrode. A dilute stream including the second species is extracted from the depleted zone separate from a concentrated stream including the first species.

Abstract: Radioactive nuclides (radionuclides) are separate from an aqueous radioactive liquid by feeding the liquid into a chamber between a porous anode and a porous cathode of a shock electrodialysis device. Meanwhile, an anolyte is fed through the porous anode, and a catholyte is fed through the porous cathode. A voltage is applied to the porous anode and to the porous cathode to create a voltage differential across the chamber. The liquid is passed through the chamber, and cations are selectively driven from the liquid into the cathode by the voltage differential. The voltage differential creates a desalination shock that produces an ion-enriched zone on one side of the desalination shock and a deionized zone on an opposite side. A brine including the radioactive cations is extracted from the ion-enriched zone through a brine outlet, and fresh water is extracted from the deionized zone through a fresh-water outlet.

Abstract: The invention discloses general apparatus and methods for electrochemical energy conversion and storage via a membraneless laminar flow battery. In a preferred embodiment, the battery includes a flow-through porous anode for receiving a fuel and a porous electrolyte channel for transporting an electrolyte adjacent to the porous anode; a flow-through porous cathode is provided for transporting an oxidant; and a porous dispersion blocker is disposed between the electrolyte channel and the porous cathode, which inhibits convective mixing while allowing molecular diffusion and mean flow. Pore structure properties are selected for tuning convective dispersion, conductivity or other macroscopic properties. Specific materials, reactants, fabrication methods, and operation methods are disclosed to achieve stable charge/discharge cycles and to optimize power density and energy density.