Abstract:
Methods and systems for monitoring and/or controlling membrane separation systems or processes are provided. The present invention utilizes measurable amounts of inert fluorescent tracers and tagged fluorescent agents added to a feed stream to evaluate and/or control one or more parameters specific to membrane separation such that performance thereof can be optimized. The methods and systems of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of different industrial applications including raw water processing and waste water processing.
Abstract:
An improved apparatus and operating method related thereto for deionizing water to produce substantially pure water using electric field and ion exchange materials are disclosed, including embodiments incorporating one or more of the novel features of brine and electrode streams flowing in a direction counter-current to the stream being deionized, a filling of the brine stream with stratified ion exchange materials, a stream mixing feature for mixing the stream being deionized, a gas removal feature for removal of gases, a spiral-wound embodiment of an electrodialysis device according to the invention, and a method for determining the preferred operating current for electrodialysis systems according to this invention.
Abstract:
Apparatus for purifying a liquid, which comprises a container housing multiple closed cells, each delimited by an anionic membrane and by a cationic membrane, and multiple open cells, susceptible of being traversed by a liquid to be treated and each interposed between two adjacent closed cells. The apparatus also comprises two electrodes which are supplied with supply voltages with reversed polarities in order to push the ionized particles of the liquid into the closed cells during an operating phase, and in order to bring the ionized particles back into the open cells during a regeneration phase. The apparatus also comprises a polymer substance having functional groups with non-zero electric charge, which is contained inside the closed cells in order to create chemical bonds with the ionized particles of the liquid that enter therein.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for producing ammonia from an aqueous solution containing ammonium chloride using an electrodialyzer cellstack.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for the desalination of seawater or brackish water for the purpose of obtaining potable water. Systems may include a combination of electrodialysis and electrodeionization modules. The system configuration and process controls may achieve low energy consumption and stable operation.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a deionization filter, a water treatment apparatus comprising a deionization filter, and to a method for regenerating a deionization filter. The method for regenerating the deionization filter, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a feed water total dissolved solution (TDS) measurement step of generating a feed water TDS value by measuring a TDS value of a solid substance that is included in the feed water; an accumulated solid substance amount calculation step of adding the amount of the solid substance, which is removed by the deionization filter which removes the solid substance that is contained in the feed water, to generate an accumulated solid substance amount; and a regeneration step of performing a regeneration action for the deionization filter when the accumulated solid substance amount is at least a predetermined solid substance amount limit.
Abstract:
Aspects of the invention are described throughout this document. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a chamber divided into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber by a dividing membrane, wherein the dividing membrane blocks or substantially blocks flow of fluid between the first and second sub-chamber; and wherein the first sub-chamber is in electrical communication with a first electrode; the second sub-chamber is in electrical communication with a second electrode; the first sub-chamber is in fluid communication with a first ion injector/extractor; the second sub-chamber is in fluid communication with a second ion injector/extractor; and and the second sub-chamber comprises an outlet.
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. The relatively high concentrations of the concentrate and the diluent-c facilitate a relatively high recovery ratio, while the relatively low concentration of the diluent-p facilitates a relatively low desalination voltage. The dialytic stack may accept brine discharged from a first desalination plant and may use this brine as a source of the concentrate, diluent-c, or diluent-p. Alternatively, the dialytic stack may accept the brine as saltwater to be desalinated, and may then output desalinated brine back to the first desalination plant for further desalination. Processing the brine in the dialytic stack may decrease its volume, decreasing costs associated with treating or otherwise disposing of the brine.