Process and apparatus for removing chloride and sodium ions from an aqueous sodium chloride solution

a technology of sodium ions and aqueous sodium chloride, which is applied in the direction of electrochemical generators, instruments, energy input, etc., can solve the problems of developing countries suffering, shortening the fresh water supply in the world, and it is unlikely that the world will meet the growing water needs alone. , to achieve the effect of reducing the salt conten

US20050092618A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-05-05ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2005-05-05
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for removing sodium and chloride ions from an aqueous sodium chloride solution, such as seawater or brine. The process includes electrolyzing aqueous sodium chloride to remove chloride and sodium ions in the form of chlorine gas and sodium metal. Preferably, a photovoltaic device, such as a triple junction amorphous silicon solar cell, provides the electrical energy for the electrolysis. The process utilizes electrode material that facilitates the production of chlorine gas and inhibits the evolution of hydrogen from the aqueous sodium chloride solution. The sodium is deposited onto a metal surface having a high hydrogen overpotential to produce sodium amalgam. The processed solution from the electrolysis has a reduced sodium chloride content and may be further processed to produce fresh water for human consumption or agricultural purposes. The sodium amalgam is removed from the aqueous sodium chloride solution and transported to and coupled against an air depolarizing fuel cell in water to produce electrical power with the sodium air fuel cell, power that may be used to operate the apparatus or other machinery. The product of the reaction between the sodium amalgam and the fuel cell is sodium hydroxide that may be reacted with the chlorine gas to produce sodium hypochlorite.
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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for reducing sodium chloride concentration from an aqueous sodium chloride solution, such as sea water or brine, by removing chloride and sodium ions. More particularly, the present invention discloses a process and apparatus, wherein chloride and sodium ions are removed from the aqueous sodium chloride solution and may be used in subsequent processes. The sodium may be collected and used in the production of power from a sodium-air fuel cell and chlorine gas may be neutralized with the sodium hydroxide produced in the sodium —air fuel cell to produce sodium hypochlorite. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Water is a precious and life sustaining liquid. Over 97% of the world water supplies are tied up in the ocean. The remaining 3% of the water exists as fresh water supply in natural and man-made lakes and the polar ice caps. With the looming environmental catastrophe brought upon by the global wa...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0035] An illustration of an apparatus, generally referred to as 100, for the production of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) power and aqueous hydrogen chloride having a lower concentration of hydrogen chloride than the original source is presented in FIG. 2. A preferred embodiment of the instant invention utilizes a renewable source of solar energy, sunlight, to effect the formation of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), power and aqueous hydrogen chloride having a lower concentration of hydrogen chloride than the original source. Although sunlight is the preferred source of energy, the electric potential may be supplied by any source of power, such as a generator powered by coal, natural gas or other fossil fuels. Sunlight is collected by a photovoltaic device 102 and converted to electrical energy that is used to produce an electrical potential across electrodes 104 and 105, which induces the electrolysis of sodium chloride (NaCl). The aqueous sodium chloride solution may be brine. The brine...