Water desalination/purification and bio-agent preconcentration by ion concentration polarization
US9845252B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2201/46115
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Between two juxtaposed similar ion exchange membranes (AEMs or CEMs), an ion depletion zone (dde) and ion enrichment zone (den) are generated under an electric field. As cations are selectively transferred through the CEMs, for example, anions are relocated in order to achieve electro-neutrality, resulting in the concentration drop (increase) in ion depletion (enrichment) zone. The concentration drop (i.e. salt removal) is low and spatially gradual at relatively low voltage or current (i.e. Ohmic regime). However, at higher voltage or current (i.e. overlimiting regime), strong electroconvective vortex accelerates cation transport through CEMs, allowing us to “relocate” most salt ions. The flat depletion zone occurs with significantly low ion concentration, and corresponding strong electric field in the zone, and any charged agents (e.g. proteins and bacteria) cannot penetrate this flat zone. As a result, we can separate and collect the desalted/purified flow from brine flow by bifurcating the channel at the end of the CEMs. This ICP desalination/purification also happens with two anion exchange membranes (AEMs) by relocating cations, but the location of desalted/brine flows are con…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.