Systems and methods for integrated solar photodialysis

US11673100B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of California · US
• NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Shane Ardo · Pasadena, US
• Eric Schwartz · Irvine, US
• Jingyuan Liu · Jingwei, CN
• Joseph M. Cardon · Irvine, US
• William White · Irvine, US
• Kevin Tkacz · Irvine, US
• Lawrence A. Renna · Irvine, US
• Miguel A. Modestino · New York, US
• Daniela Blanco · Austin, US
• Leanna Schulte · Irvine, US
• Rohit Bhide · Irvine, US
• Ronald S. Reiter · Vista, US
• Christopher Sanborn · Kilauea, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 2019
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2023
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02W10/37
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A photodialysis device that can desalinate saline streams is described herein. The device can have a desalination rate that is significantly faster than current solar thermal desalination technology. Salt is removed from water by passing ionic current derived from sunlight through this water using dye-sensitized membranes. The device can serve as a distributed, low-cost technology that can efficiently and effectively desalinate low salinity sources of water, which is particularly useful for agriculture and drinking water applications.