Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.

Abstract: Membrane cell stack arrangement and method of manufacturing such a membrane cell stack arrangement. The arrangement has a housing (2) having a central axis, and a stack of membrane cells (4), each membrane cell (6) being arranged inside the housing (2) with a major surface (6a) of the membrane cell (6) oriented substantially perpendicular to the central axis. Each membrane cell (6) has a corner recess (12) between each two adjacent sides of at least four sides (10a-d). Sealing compartments (14) are provided by corner recesses (12) of adjacent membrane cells of the stack of membrane cells (4) in co-operation with a part of an inner surface (2a) of the housing (2).

Abstract: A high pressure osmotic dispense pump (10) having a substantially continuous delivery rate and extended delivery times is described and disclosed. The dispense pump (10) includes a semi-permeable membrane (12) which is substantially free of distortions and lateral stretching stresses. The membrane housing (14) and configuration of the present invention allows for consistent and accurate flow rates at the micro-liter level and improved control of the surface area of the semi-permeable membrane (12). This osmotic pump (10) also includes optional methods for activating and deactivating the osmotic process and/or controlling flow rates. Along with these features, the pump can be amplified or modulated to increase the dispense rate and/or adjust the flow rate during operation.

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 is provided. The desalination system comprises a desalination apparatus. The desalination apparatus comprises first and second electrodes, and a first group of paired ion exchange membranes disposed between the first and second electrodes to form a first group of alternating first and second channels. The first channels are configured to receive a first stream for desalination and the second channels are configured to receive a second stream to carry away ions removed from the first stream, respectively. The desalination apparatus further comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between each pair of the adjacent ion exchange membranes and between the first and second electrodes and the respective ion exchange membranes. Wherein each of the ion exchange membranes in the first group is a cation exchange membrane. A desalination system and a method for removing ions from an aqueous stream area also presented.

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: 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: 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: A non-Faraday ionic species removal process and system is described. The system includes a power supply, a pump for transporting a liquid through the system, and a plurality of porous electrodes. The electrodes , each include an electrically conductive porous portion. The electrodes may also include a substrate contiguous with the porous portion. The porous electrode can be utilized in electrodialysis and electrodialysis reversal systems. A method for forming a porous electrode is described.

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 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: The present invention discloses a high throughput screening method and system, which can be used to screen a plurality of fluid samples to ascertain their corresponding information. For example, a polymer solution sample is screened to ascertain information about its micro structure character such as including its crystallinity property. The high throughput screen system comprises a plurality of sampling passages and one or more screening devices for screening multiple samples simultaneously or almost simultaneously to get their corresponding information so as to meet research requirement of the relevant field.

Abstract: An electrodialysis method and apparatus include a source of concentrate fluid, a source of dilute fluid, a collector of treated concentrate fluid, a collector of dilute fluid, an anode and a cathode. A plurality of generally planar spacers are interleaved with a plurality of membranes to define a plurality of cells providing electrically conductive fluid connection between the anode and the cathode. Each of the spacers comprises a gasket that defines a first aperture and a second aperture. Each of said first and second apertures define an independent cell between interleaved membranes. The symmetrical, multiple split cell spacer configuration channels fluid flow through two or more narrow and elongated paths. The split cell arrangement allows for operation of the stack in parallel or in series.

Abstract: Electrodialysis device endbox comprising a vertical electrode (7) and a selectively ion-permeable membrane (10) which is arranged vertically, facing the electrode, and separated from the latter by a vertical passage (19) Electrodialysis device comprising an alternation of selectively ion permeable vertical membranes (1, 2, 3) and dividers (4) between two endboxes (5), at least one of which is as defined hereinabove.

Abstract: The dilute support frame is made up of interphase longitude and latitude bars that preferably are hollow. The bars can be rectangular, rectangular with a rounded end, half-circular, triangular, polygonal or any combination thereof. The bars are sized to support the ion exchange resin in the dilute channel adjacent the concentrate membrane bag. The support frame also assures fluent water flow in the dilute channel. The support frames are arrayed on the membranes with interphase aisle to save the frame arrays and make water flow fluently. The membrane envelopes in turn with the support frames as both are preferably wound to form the cylinder module, and is covered by one plastic protecting net. This new type of support frame can assure fluent water flow in dilute channels and convenient resin filling.

Abstract: An electrodialysis method and apparatus include a source of concentrate fluid, a source of dilute fluid, a collector of treated concentrate fluid, a collector of dilute fluid, an anode and a cathode. A plurality of generally planar spacers are interleaved with a plurality of membranes to define a plurality of cells providing electrically conductive fluid connection between the anode and the cathode. Each of the spacers comprises a gasket that defines a first aperture and a second aperture. Each of said first and second apertures define an independent cell between interleaved membranes. The symmetrical, multiple split cell spacer configuration channels fluid flow through two or more narrow and elongated paths. The split cell arrangement allows for operation of the stack in parallel or in series.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus and method of use includes an expanded conductive mesh electrode. The expanded conductive mesh electrode may be formed from any conductive material that is dimensionally stable and may be coated with conductive coating. The expanded conductive mesh electrodes typically have a diamond-shaped pattern of any size that provides support for an adjacent ion-permeable membrane while allowing an electrode or fluid stream to flow through. The conductive mesh electrode may also be placed against an endblock having fluid channels. These channels may be serpentine or parallel channels, which allow fluid flow to wash away any accumulation. The electrodeionization apparatus may have a protective ion-permeable membrane adjacent the electrode. The electrodeionization apparatus may also have a spacer, such as a fabric, a screen or a mesh, positioned adjacent the electrode.

Abstract: The electrodeionization apparatus is improved in concentration polarization of the ingredients including ions in the concentrating compartment so as to obtain the produced water with high purity. The electrodeionization apparatus has a spacer composed of a mesh and a frame-shaped gaskets superposed on the periphery of the mesh. The mesh has a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm and the gaskets have thicknesses of equal to or less than 0.1 mm.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus includes an anode; a cathode; cation-exchange membranes and anion-exchange membranes alternately arranged between the anode and the cathode; desalting compartments and concentrating compartments arranged alternately to be located between the cation-exchange membrane and the anion-exchange membrane; and partition members situated in the respective desalting compartments to form cells therein. The partition member has inclined portions inclined obliquely relative to a longitudinal direction of the desalting compartment to define the cells laterally and vertically. Thus, one cell faces obliquely at least one of the cells adjacent thereto to allow water to flow obliquely between the one cell and the at least one of the cells. An ion exchanger is filled in the respective cells. The ion exchanger do not pass through the partition member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing deionized water, comprising an electrodialyzer having cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes alternately arranged to form demineralizing compartments and concentrating compartments and having ion exchangers accommodated in the demineralizing compartments, and designed to conduct an electric current while supplying water to be treated to the demineralizing compartments, wherein a spacer is arranged in each concentrating compartment to maintain the thickness of the concentrating compartment, and the cation exchange membranes or the anion exchange membranes are incorporated in their dry state in the electrodialyzer, whereby water is supplied to the electrodialyzer, while each ion exchange membrane is brought in contact with the spacer by a pressure from the demineralizing compartment side.

Abstract: An apparatus and system of operation of an electrodialysis membrane and gasket stack for separation of components in liquid mixtures is disclosed. The system of operation for purification and deionizing liquids includes an operation of pretreatment by filtration for removal of inorganic contaminants, includes an operation of adsorption for removing organic contaminants by activated carbon adsorption, and includes an operation of deionizing for removing ions from the effluent liquids. The deionizing operation includes an apparatus having an electrodialysis stack of a plurality of ion exchange membranes and separating gaskets for selectively removing contaminant ions. The combination of treatment operations and the deionizing operation provides a continuous operating system with minimized down-time and improved efficiencies over prior methods for purification of liquid mixtures.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric netting for use as an ion-conducting ser in an electrodialysis stack having charged groups incorporated in a in polymeric coating applied thereto, imparting to the spacer an average ion exchange capacity of at least 0.25 meq/gr.

Abstract: An assembly consisting of at least one seal layer and a solid polymer ion exchange layer wherein the seal layer covers essentially only the region of the ion exchange layer which is to be sealed. The seal layer is made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film having one surface coated and partially impregnated with a solid polymer ion exchange material. The seal layer provides support and masking functions for the solid polymer ion exchange layer during intermediate manufacturing steps, and reinforcement and effective sealing when assembled in an electrochemical apparatus.

Abstract: A membrane module in which non-porous membranes are bonded to spacer elements, which elements are in turn bonded to each other to create a membrane support zone as a result of contact with the surface of the membrane opposite the surface to which the membrane is bonded. The membrane is restrained from peeling from the membrane bond by the support zone under opposing pressure as may be caused by fluid flowing past the membrane. The preferred use of such a membrane module is for continuous electrodeionization processes.