Multi-path split cell spacer and electrodialysis stack design

a split cell spacer and electrodialysis technology, applied in the direction of liquid/fluent solid measurement, fluid pressure measurement, peptide, etc., can solve the problems of inability to consistently and economically produce a cleansed fluid of sufficient quality that can be continuously recycled, prohibiting cost-effective recycling for environmental compliance or beneficial reuse, and many of the systems purchased by many businesses

US20030155243A1Inactive Publication Date: 2003-08-21EET TN
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2003-08-21
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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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. The invention improves the ion removal efficiency of a given membrane area, requires significantly less energy than other electrodialysis systems and substantially reduces stack assembly, materials and fabrication costs.
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Description

[0001] Not Applicable

[0002] Not Applicable

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for the purification and reuse or disposal of polluted liquids.

[0005] More particularly, this invention pertains to an electrodialysis stack for the removal and concentration of ions from aqueous solutions and certain aqueous / organic solutions.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] There are presently a number of systems for treating and recycling aqueous and aqueous / organic waste streams on the market. Present state of the art systems, including de-ionization methods that are available to industrial waste stream generators, are deficient in their ability to consistently and economically produce a cleansed fluid of sufficient quality that can be continuously recycled and reused, especially in the case of small to medium volume liquid waste generation. The initial high cost of purchasing many of these systems is beyond the economic resources of many b...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

shows the production rate and typical % removal of NaCl for the current invention; those skilled in the art will recognize these values allow the invention to be economically competitive for a variety of feeds. Example 3 shows typical membrane area and energy requirements for desalination using traditional ED stack designs contrasted with the performance of the current invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the improved design of the current invention results in a stack requiring significantly less membrane area and that is significantly more energy efficient.

2 1. NaCl Feed Production Rate % NaCl Concentration (m.sup.3 / m.sup.2 day) Removal 1.65 g / L 5.74 91 16.5 g / L 1.50 99

[0064]

3 NaCl Feed Traditional % Concentration Designs** Split cell Reduction A. Membrane Area (m.sup.2) for 1 m.sup.3 / day Capacity* 1 g / L 0.3 0.17 42% 10 g / L 1.2 0.67 44% B. Energy Requirements (kw-hr / m.sup.3 product)* 1 g / L 1.2 0.26 78% 10 g / L 3.4 2.67 21% *For a product concentration of 500 ppm T...