Abstract: Time until a conductivity meter is ready to measure a conductivity after an electric decationizing apparatus starts is shortened. Water to be treated that contains cations and anions is supplied to the electric decationizing apparatus while applying a first voltage to the electric decationizing apparatus, and decationized water is generated. Next, the decationized water that is generated by the electric decationizing apparatus is supplied to the conductivity meter in order to measure conductivity of the decationized water. Before the first voltage is applied to the electric decationizing apparatus and before the conductivity meter begins measuring the conductivity of the decationized water, a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage is applied to the electric decationizing apparatus in a state in which the electric decationizing apparatus is charged with water to be treated.

Abstract: A nanocarbon separation apparatus includes: an electrophoresis tank; electrodes disposed in an upper part and a lower part of the electrophoresis tank; a first injection port through which a liquid is injected into the electrophoresis tank; a second injection port which is provided below the first injection port and through which a liquid having a pH lower than a pH of the liquid injected through the first injection port is injected into the electrophoresis tank; and a recovery port provided in a surface facing a surface having the first injection port and the second injection port, wherein the liquid injected through at least one of the first injection port and the second injection port is a dispersion liquid having nanocarbons dispersed therein.

Abstract: An automated modular filtration system, particularly for low volume tangential flow filtration processes, comprises a plurality of filtration modules formed as separate assemblies and at least one control unit for jointly controlling filtration processes of individual filtration units. Each filtration module contains at least one individual filtration unit for executing a filtration process independent of the other filtration units, first input ports for receiving a first type of fluids, second input ports for receiving a second type of fluids, and exit ports for outputting unused system fluids. First type fluids are process fluids are specific to the filtration processes executed in individual filtration units. Second type fluids are system fluids not specific to filtration processes executed in the individual filtration units.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for producing beverages with low levels of acids, cations and/or sugars. The methods comprise the step of removing acidic ions through an AX-REED membrane stack and optionally removing cations through a CX-REED membrane stack. In certain embodiments, the AX-REED and the CX-REEF membrane stacks are operated in parallel. The methods may also comprise a step of converting sugar to organic acid, while simultaneously removing the generated organic acid through the AX-REED membrane stack. The sugar may for example be converted with the aid of enzymes and/or microorganisms.

Abstract: An electrodialysis process and apparatus is presented for improving the current efficiency of salty water desalination. The process includes reducing the osmotic and the electro-osmotic flow of water from diluate compartments to concentrate compartments, and between electrode compartments and adjacent compartments, by confinement and hydraulic isolation of their contents in constant volume compartments, so that the tendency of waters entering from diluate compartments to concentrate compartments leads to pressure buildup in the concentrate compartments, reducing the transfer of product desalinated water to the concentrate waste.

Abstract: An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to current efficiencies and membrane utilization.

Abstract: A modular humidification-dehumidification (HDH) apparatus and system for concentrating a solution including a plurality of internal modules coupled to each other. The plurality of internal modules includes a humidification module and a dehumidification module in gas flow communication with the humidification module. The humidification module includes humidification media facilitating evaporation of liquid from the solution to gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby producing a concentrated solution and a humidified gas. The dehumidification module includes a condensing heat exchanger for condensing vapor from the humidified gas.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrolytic membrane separation (EMS) subsystem is configured to remove one or more impurities from a contaminated reject solution and to recycle the reusable reject solution for subsequent use in regenerating ion exchange resins. According to another embodiment of the invention, the EMS subsystem is configured to concentrate the impurities recovered from the contaminated brine solution for subsequent disposal or treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at an apparatus, method and plant for desalinating saltwater and contaminated saltwater. The apparatus includes a stack and a manifolding assembly. The stack includes a product chamber, a first and second concentrate chamber, an anion exchange membrane forming a boundary between the first concentrate chamber and the product chamber and a cation exchange membrane forming a boundary between the second concentrate chamber and the product chamber. The manifolding assembly includes product and concentrate manifolding fluidly coupled to the product and concentrate chambers respectively, to convey a saltwater being desalinated to and away from the product chamber, and a concentrate to and away from the concentrate chambers. The stack may include a diluent chamber and adjacent anion or cation exchange membranes between the product chamber, diluent chamber and concentrate chamber to respectively convey anions or cations across multiple chambers.

Abstract: An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to current efficiencies and membrane utilization.

Abstract: A desalination system comprises a silica removal unit. The silica removal unit comprises first and second electrodes, a plurality of ion exchange membranes disposed between the first and second electrodes and a plurality of spacers disposed between adjacent ion exchange membranes and between the first and second electrodes and the respective ion exchange membranes. The plurality of the ion exchange membranes comprises a pair of cation exchange membranes and a pair of anion exchange membranes disposed between the pair of cation exchange membranes. A first channel is defined between the anion exchange membranes and second and third channels are defined between each anion exchange membrane and an adjacent cation exchange membrane. A silica removal apparatus and a desalination method are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.

Abstract: A liquid electrolyte can be desalinated and purified using a system that includes a first electrode and a configuration selected from (a) a second electrode and at least one distinct ion-selective boundary and (b) a second electrode that also serves as the ion-selective boundary. The ion-selective boundary is contained in the liquid conduit adjacent to a porous medium that defines pore channels filled with the liquid and that have a surface charge, and the charge of the ion-selective boundary and the surface charge of the pore channels share the same sign. A liquid including at least one charged species flows through the pore channels, forming a thin diffuse electrochemical double layer at an interface of the liquid and the charged surface of the pore channels.

Abstract: Electrically-driven separation systems and methods for use in oil recovery.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes: a recycle line that brings a part of salt-enriched membrane separation concentrated water 26 back to the rear flow side of a pretreatment apparatus 12; a water discharge line that discharges the remained concentrated water into a sea area; and a control apparatus 31 that controls to adjust the ratio between the discharging amount of the discharging membrane separation concentrated water to be discharged into a sea area and the supplying amount of supplying seawater. A pH is set to be equal to or less than 7.3 by adding acid 21. The salt 18 is obtained from the dryer 19, and produced water (fresh water) 29 is obtained by combining evaporated water 28 supplied from the evaporator 16 with the permeated water 24 supplied from the reverse osmosis membrane apparatus 25.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing electrodialysis at pressures greater than or equal to the ambient pressure is described. The apparatus includes an electrodialysis membrane stack and housing. The electrodialysis membrane stack includes at least one electrodialysis cell. The electrodialysis apparatus includes electrodes that apply voltage across the electrodialysis stack. The housing pressurizes the electrodialysis stack at a stack pressure. The housing includes a cell chamber that receives the electrodialysis stack, the cell chamber including at least one pressurization port communicating with the cell chamber such that a portion of electrode solution is transmittable into a region of the cell chamber outside the electrodialysis stack.

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, where the porous membrane includes functional groups that preferentially interact with either cations or anions. 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. Additional devices, systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An electrochemical separation system may be modular and may include at least a first modular unit and a second modular unit. Each modular unit may include a cell stack and a frame. The frame may include a manifold system. A flow distribution system in the frame may enhance current efficiency. Spacers positioned between modular units may also enhance current efficiency of the 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. Additional devices, systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide de-ionization. A plurality of cylindrical-shaped conductive membranes are placed in a feed channel having a feed flow with a first flow direction. Each of the conductive membranes encloses a concentration channel having a second flow direction and an electrode positioned inside the conductive membrane. A voltage distribution network coupled to the conductive membranes provides independent voltages across the channels to cause movement of ions in the feed and concentration flows toward the electrode.

Abstract: A continuous electrochemical pump comprising a water generator compartment, an anode compartment on one side of said generator compartment, a cation exchange barrier, separating the generator compartment from the anode compartment, it first electrode in electrical communication with the anode compartment, a cathode compartment adjacent the generator chamber, an anion exchange barrier, separating the generation compartment from the cathode compartment, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the cathode compartment. Use of the pump as a sample concentrator. A feedback loop for the pump. A reservoir, with or without an intermediate piston, on the output side of the pump.

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: Apparatuses and methods for purifying proteins and other target molecules based on pI are provided.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen chloride, or an aqueous solution thereof, includes the steps: a) furnishing a first electrolyte containing chloride ions; b) carrying out an electrodialysis, wherein the first electrolyte is subjected to a cathodic reduction resulting in a catholyte, wherein the concentration of chloride ions drops in the first electrolyte, the concentration of hydroxide ions increases in the first electrolyte, and a product in the form of hydrogen chloride or an aqueous solution thereof is produced; c) processing of at least a partial quantity of the catholyte, resulting in the first electrolyte, wherein an untreated saline water is used, the concentration of chloride ions increases in the catholyte and the concentration of hydroxide ions drops in the catholyte; and d) at least partial reuse of the catholyte processed according to step c) as the first electrolyte in step b).

Abstract: A capacitive deionization device includes; at least one flow path configured to receive 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, at least one electrolyte solution disposed between at least one of the at least one pair of electrodes and a corresponding charge barrier of the at least one charge barrier, and at least one electrolyte compensation device in fluid communication with the at least one electrolyte solution, wherein the at least one electrolyte solution differs from the influent fluid.

Abstract: Buffer generators are described based on electrodialytic devices. The methods of using these devices can generate buffers for diverse applications, including separations, e.g., HPLC and ion chromatography. Also provided are chromatographic devices including the buffer generators, generally located upstream from a chromatography column, sample injector valve or both.

Abstract: A coagulation generating system that combines the advantages of conventional and electrocoagulation. In the coagulation generating system electro-coagulation is performed on an input (e.g., salt/brine) solution to generate a concentrated coagulant solution, which is then added to the source water in the same way as a standard stored chemical coagulant.

Abstract: A three-electrode electrolyzer cell is described that can produce either alkaline water or acid water, by selecting polarity and ion exchange membrane type. The cell has a middle chamber and two side electrolysis chambers bordering the middle chamber. Each of the side electrolysis chambers is separated from the middle chambers by a membrane, which is the same on both sides. Porous electrodes are placed on the electrolysis side of each membrane. The electrolysis chamber electrodes are placed next to the membranes, and they are both charged with either positive or negative polarity at the same time. The electrode in the middle chamber is charged with the opposite polarity to the electrolysis chamber electrodes. Each of the electrolysis chambers has inlets and outlets for flowing a solution to be electrolyzed through the cells. The electrolyte solution is in the middle chamber. It is not circulated, or is only circulated to replenish electrolytes or remove gases.

Abstract: Highly-pure graphite oxide, graphene oxide, or graphene is mass-produced. Graphite is oxidized by an oxidizer, so that a graphite oxide solution is obtained, and electrodialysis is performed on the graphite oxide solution to remove aqueous ions, whereby the purity of graphite oxide is increased. Graphene oxide manufactured using the graphite oxide is mixed with powder, and the mixture is reduced, whereby graphene exhibiting conductive properties is yielded and the powder can be bonded. Such graphene can be used instead of a conduction auxiliary agent or a binder of a variety of batteries.

Abstract: Dialysis treatment devices and methods for removing urea from dialysis waste streams are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis treatment device including a first cell having a first electrodialysis unit, a second cell having at least one of a urease compartment and a sorbent compartment and in fluid communication with the first cell, and a third cell having a second electrodialysis unit and in fluid communication with the second cell.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide de-ionization. First and second conductive porous membranes are placed between a feed channel having a feed flow and first and second concentration channels having first and second concentration flows to separate the feed channel from the concentration channels. Cathode and anode electrodes are placed on external sides of the concentration channels. A voltage supply distribution network provides independent voltages across the channels to cause movement of ions in the feed and concentration flows toward the electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet for directing a feed stream into a plurality of first feed paths and a plurality of second feed paths; the feed stream is comprised of a first anionic scaling species and a first cationic scaling species; the first cationic scaling species is transferred from the second feed paths to the first feed paths through a first membrane group, the first anionic scaling species is transferred from the first feed paths to the second feed paths through the first membrane group. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a method for passivating scaling species in an electrodialysis device.

Abstract: An electrodialytic buffer generator is described. The buffer generator may include a central buffer-generating channel having an inlet and outlet, a second chamber, and a third chamber. The buffer-generating channel, the second chamber, and the third chamber may each include an electrode. The buffer generator may also include a first ion exchange barrier and a second ion exchange barrier. The first ion exchange barrier can be disposed between the second chamber and the buffer-generating channel. The second ion exchange barrier can be disposed between the third chamber and the buffer-generating channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a modular apparatus for a saltwater desalinating system, and a method for using same. The apparatus includes multiple internal modules that are compressively coupled to each other. Each of the internal modules includes a pair of rigid end plates located at opposing ends of the internal module, and a stack of membrane bounded compartments that are layered from one of the end plates to the other. The modular apparatus can be used in a membrane based desalination system, which includes concentration difference energy systems, electrodialysis reversal systems, and membrane distillation systems. The modular apparatus helps to mitigate problems such as leakage and buckling in such systems, and can be used to increase membrane packing density and, accordingly, desalination efficiency.

Abstract: Described herein are a method and system for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy. A “five stream” dialytic stack is described that can be used to desalinate saltwater at a relatively high recovery ratio. The dialytic stack may include, for example, one or more drive cells having a paired concentrate and a diluent-c chamber in ionic communication with a product chamber that is adjacent to an anion and a cation discharge chamber each filled with diluent-p. The drive cell applies a drive voltage across the product chamber, and when the drive voltage exceeds a desalination voltage of the product chamber, the saltwater in the product chamber is desalinated. The dialytic stack may accept brine discharged from a first desalination plant as saltwater to be desalinated. Processing the brine in the dialytic stack may decrease its volume, decreasing costs associated with treating or otherwise disposing of the brine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for efficiently removing ions contained cooling water used in cooling a fuel cell stack. More specifically, the present invention removes ions by trapping ions contained in cooling water using a permeable membranes capable of making ions selectively pass therethrough and electrodes which are configured to attract ions. The present invention can reduce electric power consumption in pump and can modify the overall performance of the system to cope with various environmental conditions.

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: 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 continuous electrochemical pump comprising a water generator compartment, an anode compartment on one side of said generator compartment, a cation exchange barrier, separating the generator compartment from the anode compartment, a first electrode in electrical communication with the anode compartment, a cathode compartment adjacent the generator chamber, an anion exchange barrier, separating the generation compartment from the cathode compartment, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the cathode compartment. Use of the pump as a sample concentrator. A feedback loop for the pump. A reservoir, with or without an intermediate piston, on the output side of the pump.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an electrodialyzer which is effective in saving electric power. According to this invention, there is provided an electrodialyzer which electrically dialyzes water to be processed while a voltage causing substantially no current to flow is applied between an anode and a cathode.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a modular apparatus for a saltwater desalinating system, and a method for using same. The apparatus includes multiple internal modules that are compressively coupled to each other. Each of the internal modules includes a pair of rigid end plates located at opposing ends of the internal module, and a stack of membrane bounded compartments that are layered from one of the end plates to the other. The modular apparatus can be used in a membrane based desalination system, which includes concentration difference energy systems, electrodialysis reversal systems, and membrane distillation systems. The modular apparatus helps to mitigate problems such as leakage and buckling in such systems, and can be used to increase membrane packing density and, accordingly, desalination efficiency.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process and wastewater treatment device for generating current and desalting simultaneously are provided. The device may comprise an anode compartment, an anion exchange membrane, a middle desalting compartment, a cation exchange membrane and a cathode compartment. Wastewater flows into the anode compartment, and is oxidized under the action of an electricigenic microbe. In the desalting compartment, anions are transferred to the anode compartment through the anion exchange membrane, and cations are transferred to the cathode compartment through the cation exchange membrane, thus achieving a desalting process and forming an internal current. Electrons are transferred to the cathode through an external circuit such that a reduction reaction takes place and a current generation is achieved. The wastewater treatment, the current generation and the desalination are achieved simultaneously in the process.

Abstract: The scope of the invention is to apply an electric current or to use a kind of iontophoresis system with the hemodialysis cartridge and system (the proposed method is also applicable to peritoneal dialysis or other similar methods) to remove unwanted molecules from blood, plasma or serum or other body fluids and to increase the effectiveness of the process. This cartridge can be used for patients with uremia and cartridge fixed to the conventional hemodialysis machine and additionally the electric current applied to the electrodes placed in to the cartridge or electrode connectors placed to the conventional cartridge. When the system activated, the molecules in the blood or other body fluid migrates to the hemodialysis solution. Charged ions or uncharged molecules move together with electroosmotic flow. The sterilized electrodes preferably made by Ag/AgCl to prevent pH changing effect. Other apparatus can also be used for providing an electropotential gradient.

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 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: Described herein are a method and system for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy. A “five stream” dialytic stack is described that can be used to desalinate saltwater at a relatively high recovery ratio. The dialytic stack may include, for example, one or more drive cells having a paired concentrate and a diluent-c chamber in ionic communication with a product chamber that is adjacent to an anion and a cation discharge chamber each filled with diluent-p. The drive cell applies a drive voltage across the product chamber, and when the drive voltage exceeds a desalination voltage of the product chamber, the saltwater in the product chamber is desalinated. The diluent-p may be at a lower ionic concentration than the diluent-c, which may be at a lower concentration than the concentrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for recovering gas produced during electrodialysis of a saline solution, from gas entrained in an electrolyte solution circulating through anode and cathode compartments of an electrodialysis (ED) unit. In one embodiment, the system provides separate catholyte and anolyte towers within a closed, re-circulating loop between the cathode and anode compartments. Each tower comprises an inlet at which the entrained gas separates from the electrolyte solution and flows into the headspace. One can recover residual gases from the electrolyte solution in one more additional apparatus. Preferably, hydrogen gas is separated from the catholyte solution and, more preferably, further purified for use as a fuel source in alternative power generating devices, such as a fuel cell or bio-fuel generator, useful in the unit operations of a water treatment system.

Abstract: Flow-through capacitors are provided with one or more charge barrier layers. Ions trapped in the pore volume of flow-through capacitors cause inefficiencies as these ions are expelled during the charge cycle into the purification path. A charge barrier layer holds these pore volume ions to one side of a desired flow stream, thereby increasing the efficiency with which the flow-through capacitor purifies or concentrates ions.

Abstract: A low energy water treatment system and method is provided. The system has at least one electrodialysis device that produces partially treated water and a brine byproduct, a softener, and at least one electrodeionization device. The partially treated water stream can be softened by the softener to reduce the likelihood of scale formation and to reduce energy consumption in the electrodeionization device, which produces water having target properties. At least a portion of the energy used by the electrodeionization device can be generated by concentration differences between the brine and seawater streams introduced into compartments thereof. The brine stream can also be used to regenerate the softener.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide de-ionization. First and second conductive porous membranes are placed between a feed channel having a feed flow and first and second concentration channels having first and second concentration flows to separate the feed channel from the concentration channels. Cathode and anode electrodes are placed on external sides of the concentration channels. A voltage supply distribution network provides independent voltages across the channels to cause movement of ions in the feed and concentration flows toward the electrodes.