Abstract:
A flow-through capacitor and a controlled charge chromatography column system using the capacitor for the purification of a fluid-containing material, which column comprises an inlet for a fluid to be purified and an outlet for the discharge of the purified fluid, and a flow-through capacitor disposed within the column. The flow-through capacitor comprises a plurality of spirally-wound, stacked washer or rods to include a first electrically conductive backing layer, such as of graphite, and a first high surface area conductive layer secured to one side of the backing layer, such as carbon fibers, and a second high surface area conductive layer secured to the opposite side of the backing layer, the high surface area material layers arranged to face each other and separated by a nonconductive, ion-permeable spacer layer to insulate electrically the backing and conductive layer. The system includes a DC power source to charge the respective conductive layers with different polarities whereby a fluid-containing material passing through the column is purified by the electrically conductive, high surface area stationary phase and the retention thereof onto the high surface area layer and permitting, for example, the purification of aqueous solutions of liquids, such as salt, and providing for the recovery of a purified liquid.
Abstract:
The polarized electrode flow through capacitor comprises at least one each electrode material, with a pore volume that includes meso and micropores, with contained anionic or cationic groups. The polarized electrodes are in opposite polarity facing pairs, separated by a flow path or flow spacer. Both polarities of the particular attached ionic groups used are ionized at the working pH or composition of the particular feed solution supplied to inlet of the flow through capacitor. The contained groups cause the electrodes to be polarized so that they are selective to anions or cations. The polarized electrode flow through capacitor has better performance compared to identical flow through capacitors made from non-derivitized carbon. The capacitor electrode materials so derivitized provide this polarization function directly without need for a separate charge barrier material.
Abstract:
The polarized electrode flow through capacitor comprises at least one each electrode material, with a pore volume that includes meso and micropores, with contained anionic or cationic groups. The polarized electrodes are in opposite polarity facing pairs, separated by a flow path or flow spacer. Both polarities of the particular attached ionic groups used are ionized at the working pH or composition of the particular feed solution supplied to inlet of the flow through capacitor. The contained groups cause the electrodes to be polarized so that they are selective to anions or cations. The polarized electrode flow through capacitor has better performance compared to identical flow through capacitors made from non-derivitized carbon. The capacitor electrode materials so derivitized provide this polarization function directly without need for a separate charge barrier material.
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:
The invention features an electrochemical device which includes at least two capacitor electrodes 16, each of which includes a conductive material characterized in that at least ten percent (10%) of the overall surface area of the conductive material is an edge plane. In contrast to a basal plane, the electric field along an edge plane is distorted so as to exhibit an ‘edge effect or ‘fringe effect. Capacitor electrodes 16 with many edges, points, corners, or fractal surfaces exhibit greater capacitance per unit volume or mass amount of capacitor electrode material, than do materials in which the surface area of the material is predominately basal plane. An electrochemical device of the invention can be, for example, an electrochemical cell, e.g., a battery, a capacitor, or a flow-through capacitor.
Abstract:
A flow-through capacitor and method for the purification of fluids, like soft water. The capacitor includes anode-cathode electrodes (3) composed of a low surface area electrode material having a surface area between 10 to 1000 square meter per gram BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller method) to form one or more cells.
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 flow-through capacitor and a controlled charge chromatography column system using the capacitor for the purification of a fluid-containing material, which column comprises an inlet for a fluid to be purified and an outlet for the discharge of the purified fluid, and a flow-through capacitor disposed within the column. The flow-through capacitor comprises a plurality of spirally-wound, stacked washer or rods to include a first electrically conductive backing layer, such as of graphite, and a first high surface area conductive layer secured to one side of the backing layer, such as carbon fibers, and a second high surface area conductive layer secured to the opposite side of the backing layer, the high surface area material layers arranged to face each other and separated by a nonconductive, ion-permeable spacer layer to insulate electrically the backing and conductive layer. The system includes a DC power source to charge the respective conductive layers with different polarities whereby a fluid-containing material passing through the column is purified by the electrically conductive, high surface area stationary phase and the retention thereof onto the high surface area layer and permitting, for example, the purification of aqueous solutions of liquids, such as salt, and providing for the recovery of a purified liquid.
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:
The invention features an electrode array (7) in which pairs of electrodes (1) are geometrically arranged so that the broadest faces of the exposed electrodes are not directly opposing to each other. Rather, the broadest facing surfaces of the electrodes in the array are parallel, adjacent, or offset at an angle. The electrode geometry of an electrode array of the invention permits electrodes to be in close proximity, thereby lowering series resistance, while minimizing the possibility for short circuits that can cause electrical leakage. An electrode array of the invention can be used in an electrochemical cell, such as a battery, e.g., a lithium battery, a capacitor, a flow-through capacitor, or a fuel cell.