Ion separation device and ion separation and concentration system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an ion separation device and an ion separation and concentration system, with which ions can be separated by allowing water from raw material water to permeate without separately supplying water, for example, as in the case of an electric field device. [Solution] This ion separation device 10A comprises: a supply chamber 12 that supplies a supply solution 11 which is an electrolyte solution (NaCl+H2O) containing cations (Na+) and anions (Cl-); cathode filter plate electrodes 14 that are arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and include a diaphragm 13 for separating cations (Na+); a flat anode electrode 15; and a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na+) flow as a cation solution (alkaline solution) 16 together with water.

Description

Ion separation device and ion separation and concentration system

[0001] The present invention relates to an ion separation device and an ion separation and concentration system.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as an ion separation device for separating cations and anions in a solution (electrolyte).

[0003] Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a conventional electrolyzed water generating device. In the technology of Patent Document 1, oxidized water and reduced water that constitute electrolyzed water are generated using a three-chamber electrolyzed water generating device as shown in Fig. 16. This electrolyzed water generating device has an intermediate chamber 1 through which various raw waters such as pure water and tap water and supporting electrolytes such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) dissolved in the raw water circulate and flow in and out, and a cation exchange membrane 4 and a cathode 5 are disposed as a partition between the intermediate chamber 1, and cations (sodium ions (NaCl) in Fig. 16) of the supporting electrolytes are circulated. ＋ 16 )) dissolves in the cathode chamber 2, and an anion exchange membrane 6 and an anode 7 are disposed as partitions between the cathode chamber 2 and the intermediate chamber 1, and an anion exchange membrane 6 and an anode 7 dissolve the anions (chlorine ions in FIG. 16 ) of the supporting electrolyte in the anode chamber 3.

[0004] Using this electrolyzed water generator, raw water with a supporting electrolyte dissolved therein is circulated in the intermediate chamber 1 to perform electrolysis, and the raw water is then fed into the cathode chamber 2 and the anode chamber 3, thereby producing reduced water 8 from the cathode chamber 2 and oxidized water 9 containing chloride ions from the anode chamber 3. In this process, the physical properties of the reduced water 8 and oxidized water 9 are controlled to produce them, and electrolyzed water is obtained by mixing appropriate amounts of the reduced water 8 and the oxidized water 9.

[0005] JP 2013-17405 A

[0006] However, the electrolytic water generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses ion exchange membranes to separate ions, but the ion exchange membranes (4, 6) are dedicated membranes that can only allow cations or anions to pass through, respectively, and have the problem that they are almost completely impermeable to water. Therefore, purified water (H ２ By supplying this water (purified water), reduced water 8 can be discharged from the cathode chamber 2, and oxidized water 9 containing chloride ions can be discharged from the anode chamber 3.

[0007] As described above, the electrolytic water generating device using the conventional ion exchange membrane has a problem in that, in order to obtain electrolytic water, purified water must be separately supplied as carrier water to each of the cathode chamber 2 and the anode chamber 3.

[0008] Therefore, there is a strong demand for a technology that separates ions by permeating water from raw water without the need for a separate supply of water, such as an electrolytic water generator.

[0009] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an ion separation device and an ion separation and concentration system that can separate ions by allowing water from raw water (supply liquid) to pass through directly, without the need to separately supply water as in, for example, conventional electrolytic water generation devices.

[0010] The ion separation device of a first aspect according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid, which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; cathode filter plate electrodes arranged on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating cations; a flat anode electrode; and a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid.

[0011] The ion separation device of the second aspect is characterized by comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid that is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; anode filter plate electrodes disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating anions; a flat cathode electrode; and an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid.

[0012] The ion separation device of the third aspect is characterized by comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid that is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; a cathode filter plate electrode disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with a diaphragm having pores for separating cations; an anode filter plate electrode equipped with a diaphragm having pores for separating anions; a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid; and an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid.

[0013] The ion separation device of the fourth aspect is characterized by comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; cathode filter plate electrodes arranged on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating cations; a flat anode electrode; a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid; and a flat cathode electrode positioned opposite the cathode filter plate electrode 14 in the cation chamber.

[0014] The ion separation device of the fifth aspect is characterized by comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid that is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; anode filter plate electrodes disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating anions; a flat cathode electrode; an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid; and a flat anode electrode positioned opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the anion chamber.

[0015] The ion separation device of the sixth aspect is characterized by comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; cathode filter plate electrodes arranged on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating cations; an anode filter plate electrode equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating anions; a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid; an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid; a flat cathode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the cation chamber; and a flat anode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the anion chamber.

[0016] The ion separation and concentration system of the seventh aspect is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates valuable materials in an electrolyte solution containing valuable materials and cations, and the ion separation device of the first aspect that removes cations from the concentrated solution.

[0017] The ion separation and concentration system of the eighth aspect is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates valuable materials in an electrolyte solution containing valuable materials and anions, and the ion separation device of the second aspect that removes anions from the concentrated solution.

[0018] The ion separation and concentration system of the ninth aspect is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates an electrolyte solution containing at least one of cations and anions together with valuables, and an ion separation device of the third aspect that removes either or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated solution.

[0019] The tenth ion separation and concentration system is characterized by comprising a concentrator that concentrates valuable materials in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable materials and cations, and a fourth ion separator that removes cations from the concentrated solution.

[0020] The eleventh ion separation and concentration system is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates valuable materials in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable materials and anions, and a fifth ion separation device that removes anions from the concentrated solution.

[0021] The twelfth ion separation and concentration system is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates an electrolyte solution containing at least one of cations and anions together with valuables, and a sixth ion separation device that removes either or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated solution.

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently separate either or both of cations and anions in a feed solution, by allowing water from raw water (feed solution) to pass directly through a filter plate electrode and separating the ions.

[0023] Furthermore, even if impurities such as particles are present in the feed solution, either or both of cations and anions can be separated efficiently.

[0024] When salt water is used as the feed liquid, desalted water can be obtained by separating cations and anions.

[0025] In addition, it is possible to efficiently separate either or both of cations and anions present in the feed liquid containing particles that are valuable materials.

[0026] Additionally, the ion separator may also have an ion dialysis function.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to another embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a graph of test results of an ion separation device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another ion separation device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including an ion separation device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the results of confirming the state of ion separation in an ion separation device using a BTB reagent. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to a prior art; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another ion separation apparatus according to embodiment 11 of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation apparatus according to embodiment 12 of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation apparatus according to embodiment 13 of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation apparatus according to embodiment 14 of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation apparatus according to embodiment 15 of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including an ion separation apparatus according to embodiment 16 of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a seawater desalination system including a seawater desalination apparatus according to embodiment 17 of the present invention.

[0028] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments). Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be combined as appropriate. Note that, throughout the embodiments in this specification, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Note that this embodiment is merely an example that embodies the configuration of the present invention, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0029] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ion separation device 10A according to Embodiment 1 is a device that separates cations dissociated in a solvent (polar solvent; for example, water) that is an electrolyte solution (hereinafter also referred to as a "feed liquid") 11. Examples of polar solvents include, but are not limited to, methanol, ethanol, and propanol in addition to water, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Here, the electrolyte solution (electrolyte solution or electrolytic water) that is the feed liquid is a general term for a liquid in which an electrolyte, which is a substance that dissociates (ionizes) into ions and exhibits electrical conductivity, is dissolved.

[0030] Here, ion dissociation is a general process in which molecules (or ionic compounds such as salts and complexes) separate or split into small particles such as atoms, ions, and radicals, usually reversibly. The lattice of an ionic crystal breaks down when dissolved in water, and dissociation refers to the separation of ions that occurs when a solid ionic compound dissolves. Taking the formula unit of sodium chloride (NaCl) as an example, sodium chloride (NaCl) dissociates in water into one sodium ion (Na ion; cation (positive) ion) and one chloride ion (Cl ion; anion (negative) ion). That is, in water (H ２ Salt (sodium chloride) that dissolves in water dissociates into its ions and is an electrolyte. In the electrolyte chamber solution, sodium chloride (NaCl) is completely dissociated into water and becomes a cation, sodium ion (Na ＋) and the anion chloride ion (Cl － ) and exists in an ionic state.

[0031] In this embodiment, sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as an example for description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, the ion separation device 10A of the first embodiment separates cations (Na ＋ ) and anions (Cl － ) containing an electrolyte solution (NaCl + H ２ An electrolyte solution supply chamber (hereinafter referred to as "supply chamber") 12 supplies an electrolyte solution (hereinafter referred to as "supply solution") 11, and two chambers are arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 to supply cations (Na ＋ ) a cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating the separated cations (Na ＋ and a cation chamber 17 into which the alkaline solution 16 flows together with water as a cation solution (hereinafter also referred to as "alkaline solution"). The cathode filter plate electrode 14 is composed of a first cathode electrode 14A and a second cathode electrode 14B, and a diaphragm (filter plate) 13, which is an insulator having pores 13a, is sandwiched between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B. The diaphragm 13 can be made of, for example, cellulose, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0032] The ion separation device 10A further includes a first power supply 41 electrically connected to the flat-plate anode electrode 15 and the first cathode electrode 14A, and a second power supply 42 electrically connected to the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B. Here, the electrode configuration is such that the second cathode electrode 14B is at a first potential (V1), the first cathode electrode 14A is at a second potential (V2), and the flat-plate anode electrode 15 is at a third potential (V3).

[0033] In this embodiment, the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 42 are set so that V1 = -20 V, V2 = -15 V, and V3 = +15 V. The potentials supplied from the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 42 are set so that V3 > V2 > V1, and the absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber 12 (|V1| > |V2|).

[0034] The electrode configuration is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the cathode first electrode 14A may be earthed, the cathode first electrode 14A may be used as a reference electrode, the potential (V2) of the cathode first electrode 14A may be set to 0 V, the potential (V1) of the cathode second electrode 14B may be set to −10 V, and the potential (V3) of the flat anode electrode 15 may be set to +10 V, and the absolute value of the voltages may be changed while the potential difference between them remains unchanged.

[0035] Here, a cathode electric field Ec is generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B. The cathode electric field Ec is generated by the negatively charged ions (Cl - ) from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17.

[0036] The cathode electric field Ec generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B is a positive ion (Na + ) and positively charged water molecules from the supply chamber 12 toward the cation chamber 17. + ) and positively charged water molecules are drawn toward the cation chamber 17, generating an electroosmotic flow (see arrows F1 and F2 in FIG. 1 ). Therefore, the water in the supply chamber 12 moves faster than when it moves to the cation chamber 17 simply under the filtration pressure of a pump or the like. Therefore, the amount of water moving from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17 per unit time increases.

[0037] The cation liquid 16 that has moved to the cation chamber 17 is then discharged to the outside from an outlet (not shown) of the cation chamber 17 due to filtration pressure. The first supply / discharge liquid 11A from which the cations have been separated in the supply chamber 12 has a reduced cation concentration, and is discharged to the outside from an outlet (not shown) of the supply chamber 12 due to filtration pressure.

[0038] Here, the filtration pressure is preferably set by a supply pump (not shown) so that the pressure (gauge pressure) in the supply chamber 12, which is an enclosed space, is slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.005 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less, preferably 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less.

[0039] The cathode filter plate electrodes 14 (first cathode electrode 14A, second cathode electrode 14B) are provided with a plurality of holes 14a penetrating in the left-right direction in the figure. Water in the supply liquid 11 moves through the holes 14a of the electrodes 14.

[0040] In addition, a galvanic corrosion prevention layer (not shown) is provided on the surfaces of the cathode filter plate electrode 14 (cathode first electrode 14A, cathode second electrode 14B) and the flat anode electrode 15. Examples of the galvanic corrosion prevention layer include an insulating coating layer and a conductive precious metal layer. Examples of materials for the galvanic corrosion prevention layer include, but are not limited to, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and tantalum. Examples of materials for the conductive precious metal layer include, but are not limited to, platinum, gold, and palladium. In the case of an insulating coating layer, the thickness of the galvanic corrosion prevention layer is preferably, for example, approximately 5 μm to 30 μm, more preferably approximately 5 μm to 10 μm. Furthermore, the thickness of the conductive precious metal layer, such as platinum, gold, or palladium, is preferably, for example, approximately 0.5 μm to 10 μm, more preferably approximately 1 μm to 5 μm. This galvanic corrosion prevention layer suppresses corrosion of the surfaces of the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15. Furthermore, the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15 have an insulating coating layer and are therefore not in contact with the liquid that constitutes the feed liquid 11. As a result, even if a potential is applied to the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15, electrolysis is unlikely to occur between the liquid and the surfaces of the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15.

[0041] Cathode first electrode 14A faces flat-plate anode electrode 15 across supply chamber 12. Distance D1 between cathode first electrode 14A and flat-plate anode first electrode 15 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

[0042] The distance D2 between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm. Note that the smaller the distance D2 between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B, the stronger the strength of the cathode electric field Ec generated between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B.

[0043] Diaphragm 13 can be made of, for example, cellulose such as filter paper (membrane) or nanofiber, but the present invention is not limited to this. Taking filter paper as an example, the pore size is approximately 1 micron (a pore diameter 1000 times larger than 1 nanometer). Since water molecules are sub-nanometers in size, water can easily pass through diaphragm 13. As a result, the supply liquid 11 can pass freely through diaphragm 13 by the pump that sends the supply liquid 11 into supply chamber 12.

[0044] On the other hand, negative ions of chloride ions (Cl) are introduced into the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side. － ) approach the cathode first electrode 14A, the negative electrode and the negative ions repel each other due to the Coulomb repulsion, and therefore they cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A. Conversely, when positive ions (Na ＋ ) approaches, the positive electrode and the positive ions repel each other due to Coulomb's repulsive force.

[0045] As mentioned above, the diaphragm 13 may be, for example, filter paper. However, it is more preferable to use a dielectric diaphragm. The dielectric diaphragm is made of an insulating material, such as a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose. By placing the dielectric diaphragm 13 between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B, the strength of the cathode electric field Ec acting between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B is increased. The diameter of the pores 13a is preferably, for example, 0.2 mm or less. The diaphragm 13 disposed between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B may or may not be in contact with the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B. The cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with the diaphragm 13 functions as an "ion separation membrane."

[0046] Next, an example of separating cations by supplying a sodium chloride solution as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] As described above, the ion state in the supply chamber 12 is positive ions (sodium ions: Na ＋ ) and anions (chlorine ions: Cl － ) and a positive ion, sodium ion (Na ＋ ) is attracted to the positive ion, sodium ion (Na ＋ ) is drawn in, resulting in water (H ２ O) while allowing sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is transmitted.

[0048] In contrast, chloride ions (Cl － ) is an anion, and is blocked by the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side, and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A. - ) bounces back. - As a result, the first supply / discharge liquid 11A discharged from the supply chamber 12 contains cations (Na +) decreases, and chloride ions (Cl - ) is concentrated.

[0049] In the present invention, the cation (Na ＋ ) permeates through the diaphragm 13 that constitutes the cathode filter plate electrode 14. As a result, the permeated water contains cations (Na + ) and does not require the separate supply of purified water or other water. The cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes of the prior art are only able to selectively permeate and separate ions, allowing little or no water to pass through. Therefore, in the prior art, it is essential to separately supply purified water or other water as carrier water.

[0050] As a result, according to the ion separation device 10A, the cation chamber 17 contains cation Na ＋ A cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16 in which the cations have been transferred can be obtained.

[0051] The cathode filter plate electrode 14 may be configured as an integrated member including the first cathode electrode 14A, the second cathode electrode 14B, and the diaphragm 13, or the diaphragm 13 may be configured as a separate member.

[0052] [Embodiment 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of embodiment 2. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Although sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as an example in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in Fig. 2, the ion separation device 10B of this embodiment is a device for ion-separating anions dissociated in a solvent (polar solvent; for example, water).

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the ion separation device 10B separates cations (Na ＋ ) and anions (Cl － A supply chamber 12 supplies a supply solution 11 containing anions (Cl), and two supply chambers 12 are disposed on both sides of the supply chamber 12, respectively. - ) and a cathode electrode 25, which is a flat plate, and a separator 13 for separating the anions (Cl －and an anion chamber 27 into which the acidic solution 26 flows together with water as an anion solution (hereinafter also referred to as "acidic solution").

[0054] The anode filter plate electrode 24 is composed of a first anode electrode 24A and a second anode electrode 24B, and a diaphragm 13, which is an insulator having fine holes, is sandwiched between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B. The diaphragm 13 is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

[0055] The ion separation device 10B further includes a third power supply 43 electrically connected to the flat cathode electrode 25 and the anode first electrode 24A, and a fourth power supply 44 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.

[0056] Here, the electrode configuration is such that the anode second electrode 24B is at a first potential (V11), the anode first electrode 24A is at a second potential (V12), and the flat cathode electrode 25 is at a fourth potential (V4). In this embodiment, the third power supply 43 and the fourth power supply 44 are set so that V11 = +20 V, V12 = +15 V, and V4 = -15 V. The potentials supplied from the third power supply 43 and the fourth power supply 44 are set so that V4 < V12 < V11, and the absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber 12 (|V11| > |V12|).

[0057] As the feed solution 11, a sodium chloride solution (NaCl + H ２ As described above, the ion state in the supply chamber 12 is a cation (sodium ion: Na ＋ ) and anions (chlorine ions: Cl － ) and an anion, chloride ion (Cl ). － ) is attracted to the negative ion, chloride ion (Cl － ) is drawn in, resulting in water (H ２O) also permeates while chloride ions permeate.

[0058] In contrast, sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is a positive ion, and is therefore blocked by the anode first electrode 24A (in FIG. 2, sodium ions (Na ＋ ) bounces back), and cannot pass through the anode first electrode 24A. ＋ As a result, the second supply / discharge liquid 11B discharged from the supply chamber 12 contains chloride ions (Cl － ) decreases, and cations (Na ＋ ) is concentrated.

[0059] The distance D3 between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm. Furthermore, the smaller the distance D3 between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B, the stronger the anode electric field Ea generated between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B.

[0060] The holes 24a in the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B communicate with the supply chamber 12 and the anion chamber 27. The diameters of the holes 24a in the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B are, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. The diameters of the holes 24a in the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B do not have to be the same.

[0061] In the present invention, as described in the first embodiment, anions (Cl － As a result, the permeated water contains anions (Cl － ) and there is no need to separately supply purified water or other water. As a result, the anions (Cl － There is no need to separately supply purified water or other water as carrier water for the cation exchange membrane. The cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes of the prior art can only selectively allow water to pass through and separate ions.

[0062] As a result, the inside of the anion chamber 27 is filled with anions Cl － An anion liquid (acidic liquid) 26 in which the anions have been transferred can be obtained.

[0063] In addition, a diaphragm 13 having a dielectric effect may be placed between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B to increase the force of the anode electric field Ea acting between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B.

[0064] The anode filter plate electrode 24 may be configured as an integrated member including the first anode electrode 24A, the second anode electrode 24B, and the diaphragm 23, or the diaphragm 23 may be configured as a separate member.

[0065] [Embodiment 3] Fig. 3A is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to Embodiment 3. Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram of another form of ion separation device according to Embodiment 3. Note that the same components as those in Embodiments 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 3A, the ion separation device 10C-1 of this embodiment is a combination of the ion separation device 10A of Embodiment 1 and the ion separation device 10B of Embodiment 2, and separates cations and anions from a supply solution containing both ions (cations and anions) to obtain an alkaline solution 16 and an acidic solution 26. As shown in Fig. 3A, the ion separation device 10C-1 of Embodiment 3 includes an electrolyte solution supply chamber (hereinafter referred to as "supply chamber") 12 that supplies a supply solution 11 of an electrolyte solution (e.g., NaCl solution) containing cations and anions, and two electrolyte solution supply chambers (hereinafter referred to as "supply chambers") 12 that are arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and contain cations (NaCl solution). ＋ ) and a cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with a diaphragm (filter paper) 13 for separating anions (Cl － ) and a diaphragm 13 for separating the separated cations (Na ＋ ) flows into the cation chamber 17 together with water as a cation solution (alkaline solution) 16, and the separated anions (Cl － and an anion chamber 27 into which the acidic solution 26 flows together with water as an anion solution (acidic solution).

[0066] The ion separation device 10C-1 also includes a first power supply 41 electrically connected to the first cathode electrode 14A and the first anode electrode 24A, a second power supply 42 electrically connected to the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B, and a third power supply 43 electrically connected to the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B. In this embodiment, the diaphragm 13 at the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

[0067] Next, an example of separating cations and anions by supplying a sodium chloride solution as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0068] As described above, the ion state in the supply chamber 12 is positive ions (sodium ions: Na ＋ ) and anions (chlorine ions: Cl － ) and a positive ion, sodium ion (Na ＋ ) is attracted to the positive ion, sodium ion (Na ＋ ) is drawn in, resulting in water (H ２ O) while allowing sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is transmitted.

[0069] In contrast, chloride ions (Cl － ) are anions, and are therefore blocked by the negative cathode first electrode 14A and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A.

[0070] In the present invention, the cation (Na ＋ ) permeates through the cathode filter plate electrode 14, the diaphragm 13 also allows water to permeate through. ＋ ) There is no need to separately supply water such as purified water to the cation chamber 17 as carrier water.

[0071] In addition, in the supply chamber 12, an anode filter plate electrode (anode first electrode 24A, anode second electrode 24B) 24 disposed opposite the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is charged with an anion, chlorine ion (Cl - ) is attracted to the negative ion, chloride ion (Cl - ) is drawn in, resulting in chloride ions passing through while water (H2O) also passes through.

[0072] In contrast, sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is a positive ion, and is therefore blocked by the anode first electrode 24A and cannot pass through the anode first electrode 24A.

[0073] As a result, sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is concentrated in the anion chamber 27. － ) is concentrated. As a result, the third supply / discharge liquid 11C discharged from the supply chamber 12 contains sodium ions (Na ＋ ) decreases, and chloride ions (Cl － ) also decreases.

[0074] Here, anions (Cl － ) permeates, and water also permeates. As a result, the permeated water contains anions (Cl - ) and therefore there is no need to separately supply purified water or other water.

[0075] In contrast to the ion exchange membranes used in conventional ion separation technology, which are barely permeable to water and only function to separate ions, when producing alkaline solution 16 and acidic solution 26 using the ion separation device 10C of the present embodiment, there is no need to supply purified water as carrier water.

[0076] As described above, according to the ion separation device 10C-1 of this embodiment, the ion state (sodium ion (Na ＋ ) and chloride ions (Cl - ) mixed state: pH = 7.0), sodium ions (Na+ ) permeates and enters the cation chamber 17. + At the same time, chloride ions (Cl ) are concentrated on the anode filter plate electrode 24 side located on the right side of the supply chamber 12. - ) permeates and chloride ions (Cl) enter the anion chamber 27. - ) is concentrated.

[0077] The separation of cations and anions in this ion separation device 10C-1 was confirmed using pH and BTB reagent. A 0.05% aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) was used as the feed solution 11, and the pH was adjusted with a carbonate buffer to a pH of 7.0. At the same time, the pH state in each chamber was visualized by coloring using BTB (bromothymol blue; BTB) reagent.

[0078] As a result of this confirmation, the ion state of the supply liquid 11 to be supplied to the supply chamber 12 (sodium ions (Na ＋ ) and chloride ions (Cl － ) (a mixture of alkaline solution 16 and anion solution 27: pH = 7.0) was subjected to ion separation, and the pH of the alkaline solution 16 discharged from the cation chamber 17 became 11.8, and the pH of the acidic solution 26 discharged from the anion chamber 27 became 2.4.

[0079] Furthermore, as a result of testing with the BTB reagent, the feed solution 11 (pH = 7.0) supplied to the feed chamber 12 was green in color, but the alkaline solution 16 (pH = 11.8) in the cation chamber 17 changed to blue, and the acidic solution 26 (pH = 2.4) in the anion chamber 27 changed to yellow. Furthermore, in a flame color reaction test using a copper wire, the alkaline solution 16 turned orange due to Na ions, and the acidic solution 26 turned to copper chloride (CuCl ２ ) green. In addition, each flame color reaction test confirmed that ions were separated reliably.

[0080] As a result, the circulating liquid, which is the third supply / discharge liquid 11C discharged from the supply chamber 12, contains sodium ions (Na ＋ ) decreases, and chloride ions (Cl － ) also decreased (pH = 4.5).

[0081] A schematic diagram of the results of confirmation using the BTB reagent is shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the results of confirmation of the state of ion separation in the ion separation device using the BTB reagent. In Figure 15, "A" in the upper row indicates the color tone of the BTB reagent. "B" in the middle row indicates the state in which the color tone changes in the supply chamber 12, which has a cation chamber 17 and an anion chamber 27 on both sides. "C" in the lower row indicates the state in which the color tone of the supply liquid 11 is.

[0082] According to this embodiment, cations and anions are separated at the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the anode filter plate electrode 24 by applying a predetermined voltage, and the separated water also permeates the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the anode filter plate electrode 24 as ion carrier water, so there is no need to separately add water (purified water, etc.) as ion carrier water, as in the conventional method.

[0083] During ion separation, a voltage is applied to the electrodes (cathode filter plate electrode 14, anode filter plate electrode 24), which generates heat and heats the feed solution 11. Furthermore, electrolysis of water generates gas around the electrodes (hydrogen gas in the cation chamber 17, and chlorine gas and oxygen gas in the anion chamber 27). The gas moves to the upper part of the sealed space of the feed chamber 12 due to buoyancy. Therefore, gas venting means such as a gas vent valve is appropriately installed in the feed chamber 12, the cation chamber 17, the anion chamber 27, or the discharge line.

[0084] 3B, the ion separation device 10C-2 has piezoelectric vibrators (vibration members) 80, which are piezoelectric members, installed in the supply chamber 12, the cation chamber 17, and the anion chamber 27. By installing these piezoelectric vibrators (vibration members) 80, adhesion of particles suspended in the supply liquid 11 can be prevented even when such particles are present. This allows the voltage applied to the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B to be lower overall than when the piezoelectric vibrators (vibration members) 80 are not installed.

[0085] That is, to improve particle separation, for example, by installing a piezoelectric vibrator (vibration member) 80, the applied voltage can be halved from 20 V applied to the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B to 5 V and 10 V, respectively, thereby reducing the overall applied voltage. As a result, the power consumption of the ion separation device can be significantly reduced, electrolysis can be suppressed, and heat generation can also be suppressed. In particular, the heat generation reduction effect is significant when separating heat-sensitive particles or biological matter, as described below, as the separation target. Note that the piezoelectric vibrator (vibration member) 80 only needs to be installed in at least one location.

[0086] [Embodiment 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 4. Note that the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The ion separation device 10D according to embodiment 4 has two sets (14-1, 14-2, 24-1, 24-2) of electrodes (cathode filter plate electrodes, anode filter plate electrodes), and two sets (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2) of cation chambers 17 and two sets (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2) of anion chambers 27.

[0087] The potentials of cathode electrodes 14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, and 14B-2 are set to −15 V, −20 V, −30 V, and −35 V, respectively, by a power supply (not shown). In addition, the potentials of anode electrodes 24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, and 24B-2 are set to +15 V, +20 V, +30 V, and +35 V, respectively. The absolute values ​​of the potentials of the cathode electrodes (14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, and 14B-2) and anode electrodes (24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, and 24B-2) are set to increase with increasing distance from supply chamber 12.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 4, the ion separation device 10D of the fourth embodiment includes a supply chamber 12 for supplying a supply liquid 11 of an electrolyte solution (for example, a NaCl solution: pH 7.0) containing cations and anions, cathode filter plate electrodes 14-1 and 14-2 provided on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating cations, anode filter plate electrodes 24-1 and 24-2 provided with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating anions, and a filter plate electrode 24-1 and 24-2 provided with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating the separated cations (Na ＋ ) flows into the cation chamber 17 (17-1, 17-2) as a cation solution (alkaline solution) 16 together with water, and the separated anions (Cl － )) flows together with water as an anion liquid (acid liquid) 26 into an anion chamber 27 (27-1, 27-2).

[0089] In this embodiment, the second cation chamber 17-2 and the second anion chamber 27-2 also serve as discharge chambers for discharging the alkaline solution 16 and the acidic solution 26, respectively, and are provided with discharge holes 17a and 27a, respectively. The supply chamber 12 also has a supply hole 12a and a discharge hole 12c. The discharged liquid is a circulating liquid.

[0090] As a result, alkaline solution 16 with an increased cation concentration and a raised pH is discharged from discharge hole 17a of second cation chamber 17-2, while acidic solution 26 with an increased anion concentration and a lowered pH is discharged from discharge hole 27a of second anion chamber 27-2.

[0091] In the ion separation device 10D of this embodiment, two sets (14-1, 14-2, 24-1, 24-2) of electrodes (cathode filter plate electrodes, anode filter plate electrodes) are provided, and two sets (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2) of cation chambers 17 and anion chambers 27 are provided, thereby increasing ion separation efficiency. Note that the present invention is not limited to two sets of cation chambers 17 and anion chambers 27, and three sets (17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 27-1, 27-2, 27-3) or four sets (17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 17-4, 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4) may be provided as needed.

[0092] The ion separation devices 10A to 10D described above can be applied to any technical field where ions in an electrolyte are separated, such as, for example, as a replacement for ion exchange membranes and ion exchange resins, as well as seawater desalination (desalination) devices and artificial dialysis devices.

[0093] [Embodiment 5] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of Embodiment 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the ion separation device 10E of Embodiment 5 includes the ion separation device 10A of Embodiment 1, a supply tank 55 that supplies an electrolyte solution (supply liquid 11) containing cations, a supply line L1 that supplies the supply liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P, a circulation line L2 that circulates a first supply / discharge liquid 11A from the supply chamber 12 to the supply tank 55, and an alkali line L3 that discharges an alkaline solution 16 from a cation chamber 17 to an alkali tank 56.

[0094] In the ion separation device 10E of the fifth embodiment, the supply liquid 11 supplied from the supply tank 55 is continuously supplied into the supply chamber 12, thereby separating cations into the cation chamber 17, and the supply liquid is circulated within the supply chamber 12, thereby continuously obtaining a cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16 in the alkaline tank 56. Furthermore, by installing the ion separation device 10B of the second embodiment in place of the ion separation device 10A, an anion liquid (acidic liquid) can be obtained.

[0095] [Embodiment 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 6. As shown in Figure 6, the ion separation device 10F of embodiment 6 includes the ion separation device 10D of embodiment 4, a supply tank 55 that supplies an electrolyte solution (feed liquid 11) containing cations, a supply line L1 that supplies the feed liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P-1, a circulation tank 57 that temporarily stores the first supply / discharge liquid 11A from the supply chamber 12 for circulation to the supply chamber 12, an alkali line L3 that discharges the alkaline solution 16 from the cation chamber 17 to the alkali tank 56 via a supply pump P-2, a supply line L4 that supplies the first supply / discharge liquid 11A from the supply chamber 12 to the circulation tank 57, and an acid line L5 that discharges the acid solution 26 from the anion chamber 27 to the acid solution tank 58 via a supply pump P-3. A pressure relief valve (not shown) is installed in the circulation line L4 to adjust the pressure (for example, to approximately 0.03 MPa).

[0096] By using the ion separation device 10F of this embodiment 6, cationic liquid (alkaline liquid) 16 can be continuously obtained in the alkaline tank 56, and anionic liquid (acidic liquid) 26 can be continuously obtained in the acidic liquid tank 58.

[0097] Here, the test results of ion separation using the ion separation device 10F of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and an aqueous solution of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) as the feed liquid 11 are shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B). The substance to be separated was a 0.05% aqueous solution of NaNO3, and the pH was adjusted to 7.0 with a carbonate buffer. + / NO3 - The ion concentration was measured using an ion meter.

[0098] As shown in Figure 7A, the separation efficiency of Na ions, which are cations, was 95.4% (20 minutes), 88.5% (40 minutes), and 83.1% (60 minutes). As shown in Figure 7B, the separation efficiency of NO ions, which are anions, was 96.6% (20 minutes), 94.9% (40 minutes), and 94.3% (60 minutes). The results in Figures 7A and 7B demonstrate that the ion separation device of this embodiment can effectively separate cations and anions.

[0099] [Embodiment 7] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 7. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] Although the ion separation devices 10A to 10F of the first to sixth embodiments have been described as technologies for separating cations or anions in an electrolyte solution, the ion separation device of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0101] The ion separation device 10G of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the ion separation device 10C of the third embodiment (see FIG. 3) described above, but the supply liquid supplied to the supply chamber 12 contains particles (Ptcl "●" in the drawing). - The ion separation device 10E of this embodiment separates ions from a particle-containing supply liquid 51 containing a mixture of ions (e.g., sodium ions) and anions (e.g., chloride ions) in the same manner as described above, and therefore, the description of the ion separation device 10E of this embodiment will be centered on the separation of particles 50.

[0102] As shown in Figure 8, the supply chamber 12 of the ion separation device 10G is provided with an inlet 12a for introducing particle-containing supply liquid 51, a supply liquid inlet line 12b connected to the inlet 12a and equipped with a supply pump P, a third outlet 12c for discharging discharge liquid 51A from which particles 50, cations, and anions have been separated, and an outlet line 12d connected to the third outlet 12c.

[0103] The cation chamber 17 of the ion separation device 10G is provided with a first outlet 17a for discharging the cation liquid 16 and a first outlet line 17b connected to the first outlet 17a. The anion chamber 27 of the ion separation device 10G is provided with a second outlet 27a for discharging the concentrate 65 containing the anion liquid and a second outlet line 27b connected to the second outlet 27a.

[0104] The cathode first electrode 14A faces the anode first electrode 24A across the supply chamber 12. The distance D1 between the cathode first electrode 14A and the anode first electrode 24A is a distance that allows the particles 50 in the particle-containing supply liquid 51 to move toward the anode first electrode 24A, and is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0105] The pore diameter 13a of the diaphragm 13 is also large enough to allow the particles 50 in the particle-containing supply liquid 51 to move toward the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B.

[0106] In a method of operating the ion separation device 10G, first, the supply pump P is driven to supply the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 to the supply chamber 12. The supply pump P is continuously driven to continuously supply the particle-mixed supply liquid 51. The pressure produced by the supply pump P is set so that the pressure (gauge pressure) in the sealed space S of the supply chamber 12 is higher than atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.005 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less, preferably 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less.

[0107] The pressure downstream of the first discharge line 17b and the second discharge line 27b is adjusted to be approximately equal to atmospheric pressure by a pressure regulating valve (not shown). As a result, pressure (hereinafter referred to as filtration pressure) acting from the first supply port 12a (supply chamber 12) toward the cation chamber 17 and the anion chamber 27 acts on the sealed space S.

[0108] A cathode first potential V1 supplied from the cathode first power supply 61 to the cathode first electrode 14A is set to −20 V. A cathode second potential V2 supplied from the cathode second power supply 62 to the cathode second electrode 14B is set to −30 V. In other words, the cathode power supplies to the cathode electrodes cathode potentials (V1, V2) of the same polarity as the polarity (negative) of the particles 50. Furthermore, the absolute value of the cathode potential supplied from the cathode power supply increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber 12 (|V2|>|V1|).

[0109] The anode first potential V11 supplied from the anode first power supply 63 to the anode first electrode 24A is set to +20 V. The anode second potential V12 supplied from the anode second power supply 64 to the anode second electrode 24B is set to +30 V. In other words, the anode power supply supplies to the anode electrodes anode potentials (V11, V12) of a polarity different from the polarity (negative) of the particles 50. Furthermore, the absolute value of the anode potential supplied from the anode power supply increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber 12 (|V12|>|V11|).

[0110] According to the above-described operating method, when particle-containing supply liquid 51 is supplied to supply chamber 12, particles 50 contained in particle-containing supply liquid 51 are subjected to a repulsive force from cathode first electrode 14A, which is charged with the same polarity (see arrow A1 in FIG. 8 ). Furthermore, particles 50 are subjected to an attractive force from anode first electrode 24A, which is charged with the opposite polarity (see arrow B1 in FIG. 8 ). This causes particles 50 in supply chamber 12 to move toward anode first electrode 24A.

[0111] Then, particle-mixed supply liquid 51 (particle-mixed supply liquid 51 with a high concentration of particles 50) near first anode electrode 24A passes through holes 24a of first anode electrode 24A and holes 24a of second anode electrode 24B due to filtration pressure, and particles 50 move to anion chamber 27 (see arrow F4 in FIG. 8 ). Furthermore, as particle-mixed supply liquid 51 passes through first anode electrode 24A and second anode electrode 24B, the proportion of water decreases and the proportion of particles 50 increases, resulting in concentrate 65. Details are described below.

[0112] As a result, the positively charged water molecules move slower than when they move to the anion chamber 27 simply due to filtration pressure. This reduces the amount of water passing between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B per unit time. As a result, the proportion of water contained in the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 that has moved to the anion chamber 27 becomes smaller than that of the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 near the first anode electrode 24A.

[0113] Furthermore, the anode electric field Ea between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B exerts an attractive force that draws the negatively charged particles 50 from the first anode electrode 24A toward the second anode electrode 24B (see arrow F4 in FIG. 8 ). That is, the particles 50 are subjected to an attractive force from the electric field as they pass between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B. This causes the particles 50 to move faster than they would if they were simply moving to the anion chamber 27 under filtration pressure. As a result, the amount of particles 50 passing between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B per unit time increases. Therefore, the proportion of particles 50 per unit volume contained in the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 that has moved to the anion chamber 27 is higher than that of the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 near the first anode electrode 24A.

[0114] In this way, the particle-containing supply liquid 51 becomes concentrated with particles 50 as it passes between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B, and turns into a concentrate 65 containing concentrated particles and anionic liquid. This concentrate 65 then passes through the second outlet 27a and is discharged from the second discharge line 27b due to the filtration pressure.

[0115] Meanwhile, particle-mixed supply liquid 51 having a low concentration of particles 50 remains near cathode first electrode 14A in supply chamber 12. This particle-mixed supply liquid 51 passes through holes 14a in cathode first electrode 14A and holes 14a in cathode second electrode 14B due to filtration pressure, and moves to cation chamber 17 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 8 ).

[0116] Here, a cathode electric field Ec is generated between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B. The cathode electric field Ec exerts a repulsive force that inhibits the negatively charged particles 50 from moving from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17. Therefore, the particles 50 are inhibited from moving to the cation chamber 17.

[0117] Furthermore, the cathode electric field Ec generated between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B exerts a force that draws positively charged water molecules from the supply chamber 12 toward the cation chamber 17. Electroosmotic flow occurs, in which the positively charged water molecules are drawn toward the cation chamber 17 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 8 ). As a result, the water in the supply chamber 12 moves faster than it would move toward the cation chamber 17 simply due to filtration pressure. This increases the amount of water moving from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17 per unit time.

[0118] The cation liquid 16, which is the water (filtrate from which the particles 50 have been separated) that has moved to the cation chamber 17, is discharged from the first outlet 17a due to the filtration pressure.

[0119] As described above, most of the water contained in the particle-containing supply liquid 51 moves toward the cation chamber 17. In other words, the volume of water moving per unit time from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17 or the anion chamber 27 is larger in the cation chamber 17. Therefore, the flow rates discharged from the first outlet 17a and the second outlet 27a are set to, for example, 9:1 (e.g., 10-fold concentration) using the first valve 17c and the second valve 27c, and adjusted so that a large amount of water is discharged from the first outlet 17a. As a result, a large amount of water is continuously discharged as filtrate from the first outlet 17a. Furthermore, a concentrate 65 in which particles 50 are concentrated is continuously discharged from the second outlet 27a.

[0120] In this embodiment, the flow rate is set to, for example, 9:1 (e.g., 10 times concentrated), but by adjusting the flow rate of the metering pump, the flow rate can also be appropriately set to, for example, 2:1 (e.g., 3 times concentrated).

[0121] Here, as described above, particle-mixed supply liquid 51 contains cations (Na ions) and anions (Cl ions), and therefore the cations and anions are separated, and alkaline solution 16 and acidic solution 26 are discharged from cation chamber 17 and anion chamber 27. At this time, particle-mixed supply liquid 51 contains particles 50, and therefore particle separation is also carried out at the same time.

[0122] [Embodiment 8] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 8. Note that the same components as those in the first to seventh embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0123] The ion separation device of the present invention can separate cations or anions in an electrolyte solution, and can also separate ions when charged particles are present in the electrolyte solution.

[0124] In this embodiment, an aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution is used as the feed liquid, and the description will be given by taking as an example a particle-mixed feed liquid 51 in which particles (indicated by "●" in the drawing) 50 are mixed in the sodium hydroxide solution, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 9, the ion separation device 10H of the eighth embodiment can separate cations (Na + ) and anion (OH - ), a supply chamber 12 for supplying a particle-mixed supply liquid 51 containing particles 50, and two supply chambers 12 for supplying a cation (Na + ) a cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating the separated cations (Na + and a cation chamber 17 into which the alkaline solution 16 flows together with water as a cation solution (hereinafter also referred to as "alkaline solution").

[0125] The ion separation device 10H of the eighth embodiment further includes a supply tank 55 that supplies particle-mixed supply liquid 51 to the supply chamber 12, an alkali tank 56 that receives alkaline liquid 16, a supply line L1 that supplies the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P, a circulation line L2 that circulates discharged liquid 51B from the supply chamber 12 to the supply tank 55, and an alkali line L3 that discharges alkaline liquid 16 from the cation chamber 17 to the alkali tank 56. The cathode filter plate electrode 14 is composed of a first cathode electrode 14A and a second cathode electrode 14B, each having pores 14a, and a diaphragm 13 that is an insulator and has pores 13a, is sandwiched between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B.

[0126] Next, using FIG. 9, a cation (Na +) and anion (OH - ), negatively charged particles (●(Ptcl - An example will be described in which a particle-containing supply solution 51 containing cations 50 is supplied into the supply chamber 12 to separate the cations from the particles 50.

[0127] As described above, the ion state in the supply chamber 12 is positive ions (sodium ions: Na + ) and anions (hydroxyl ions: OH - ) and a positive ion, sodium ion (Na + ) is attracted to the positive ion, sodium ion (Na + ) is drawn in, resulting in the permeation of water (HO) and sodium ions (Na + ) is transmitted.

[0128] In contrast, hydroxide ions (OH － ) and negatively charged particles (●(Ptcl － )) 50 are anions, and are blocked by the negative cathode first electrode 14A, and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A. FIG. 9 illustrates the behavior of the negatively charged particles 50 bouncing back in the supply chamber 12. Therefore, the negatively charged particles 50 are concentrated in the supply chamber 12. As a result, the discharged liquid 51B discharged from the supply chamber 12 contains cations (Na ＋ ) decreases, and the negatively charged particles 50 become concentrated.

[0129] As a result, the cation chamber 17 is filled with cation Na ＋ A cationic liquid (alkaline liquid as filtrate) 16 in which the negatively charged particles 50 have been moved can be obtained, and an effluent liquid 51B in which the negatively charged particles 50 have been concentrated can be obtained from the supply chamber 12 side.

[0130] As a result, according to this embodiment, the particles (●(Ptcl － )) 50 is a valuable material, cations (e.g., Na) that are impurities contained in the valuable material + etc.) can be easily removed.

[0131] Here, in the past, in order to remove cations (e.g., Na ions) present in an aqueous solution containing valuable substances, it was necessary to use so-called diafiltration, in which a dilution operation and a separation operation were repeated multiple times using a large amount of water, which required time and effort.

[0132] <Test Example 1> Fig. 10A is a schematic diagram of Test Example 1 of the ion separation device of the embodiment 8. Next, using Fig. 10A, a cation (Na ＋ ) and anion (OH - An example of a test will be described below in which particle-containing supply liquid 51 containing negatively charged particles 50 was supplied into supply chamber 12 to separate cations, anions, and particles 50. Colloidal silica (particle size: 100 nm) was used as particles 50.

[0133] As shown in Figure 10A, the ion separation device 10I of the first embodiment is the same as the ion separation device 10H shown in Figure 9, except that a receiving tank 59 for receiving the supply / discharge liquid 51B from the supply chamber 12 is further provided, and an alkali line L2 for discharging the Na ＋ is separated and Na ＋ The discharged liquid (particles (●(Ptcl)) discharged from the supply chamber 12 with a reduced concentration － )) 51B including )) 50 is stored in a receiving tank 59.

[0134] When the pH of particle-containing supply liquid 51 is set to 7.0, particles 50 are negatively charged and are therefore blocked by negative cathode first electrode 14A, preventing them from passing through cathode first electrode 14A. Therefore, in FIG. 10A, particles 50 are concentrated in supply chamber 12. As a result, discharge liquid 51B discharged from supply chamber 12 contains cations (Na + ) decreases, and the particles 50 become concentrated. The results of this test are shown in Table 1.

[0135]

[0136] As shown in Table 1, when the supply time of the feed liquid was 0 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.006 wt %, pH was 7.0, and Na ion concentration was 21 ppm. Measurement of the properties of the discharged liquid 51B side revealed that when the supply time was 40 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.277 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.3 times, pH was 4.3, the Na ion concentration was 12 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 42.9%. When the supply time was 60 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.405 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.4 times, pH was 3.9, the Na ion concentration was 12 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 42.9%. When the supply time was 180 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.274 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.3 times, the pH was 3.6, the sodium ion concentration was 10 ppm, and the sodium ion separation efficiency was 52.4%.

[0137] Furthermore, when the properties of the cationic liquid 16 were measured, after a supply time of 40 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.016 wt%, the colloidal silica concentration was 98.4 times, the pH was 9.1, the Na ion concentration was 29 ppm, and the Na ion concentration was 1.4%. After a supply time of 60 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.017 wt%, the colloidal silica concentration was 98.3 times, the pH was 9.2, the Na ion concentration was 31 ppm, and the Na ion concentration was 1.5%. After a supply time of 180 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.027 wt%, the colloidal silica concentration was 97.4 times, the pH was 9.1, the Na ion concentration was 30 ppm, and the Na ion concentration was 1.4%.

[0138] As is clear from the results in Table 1, Na ions, which are cations, were separated from the particle-containing supply liquid 51, and colloidal silica, which is particles 50 in the discharge liquid, was concentrated, demonstrating that the separation efficiency of colloidal silica was good.

[0139] <Test Example 2> Fig. 10B is a schematic diagram of Test Example 2 of the ion separation device of Embodiment 8. Next, the ion separation device 10J shown in Fig. 10B is the ion separation device 10H of Fig. 9, except that a distilled water supply tank 55B that supplies distilled water (DW) to 55A is installed. The test was the same as in Test Example 1, and colloidal silica (particle size: 100 nm) was used as the particles 50.

[0140] The ion separation device 10J of Test Example 2 is provided with a distilled water supply tank 55B that supplies distilled water DW to the supply tank 55A. By providing this distilled water supply tank 55B, when performing ion separation, the distilled water DW is supplied to the slurry (particles + Na ions) in the supply tank 55A in an amount equal to the discharge amount of the alkaline solution 16, which is the filtrate.

[0141] By supplying this distilled water DW, the silica concentration in the supply tank 55A and the silica concentration in the discharged liquid 51B, which is the circulating liquid returning to the supply tank 55A, are kept constant (1 wt%), while Na ions are discharged together with the filtrate, which is the alkaline liquid 16.

[0142] Here, the supply flow rate of particle-containing supply liquid 51 from supply tank 55A to supply chamber 12 was F11 = 10 ml / min, and the return flow rate of the circulating liquid, which is discharged liquid 51B, was F12 = 4 ml / min. The supply flow rate of distilled water DW was F14 = 6 ml / min, and the discharge flow rate of alkaline solution 16, which is the filtrate, was 6 ml / min, which were equal amounts. It was demonstrated that the Na ion concentration in the circulating liquid decreased from an initial concentration of 20 ppm in supply tank 55A to 0 ppm when measured with an ion meter.

[0143] The results of this test are shown in Table 2.

[0144]

[0145] As shown in Table 2, when the supply time of the supply liquid was 0 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) in the raw solution that was the supply liquid was 1.021 wt %, the pH was 9.0, and the Na ion concentration was 29 ppm.

[0146] First, the properties of the stock solution in the supply tank 55A were measured. After a supply time of 40 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.818 wt %, the pH was 6.5, the Na ion concentration was 10 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 50%. After a supply time of 80 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.802 wt %, the pH was 4.0, the Na ion concentration was 5 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 75.0%. After a supply time of 120 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.764 wt %, the pH was 3.7, the Na ion concentration was 3 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 85.0%. When the supply time was 150 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.717 wt %, pH was 3.7, Na ion concentration was 2 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 90.0%.

[0147] Next, the properties of the discharged liquid (circulating liquid) 51B were measured. After a 40-minute supply time, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.845 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration was 1.9 times, the pH was 3.2, the Na ion concentration was 5 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 75%. After a 80-minute supply time, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.058 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration was 2.0 times, the pH was 3.2, the Na ion concentration was 3 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 85%. After a 120-minute supply time, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.704 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration was 1.7 times, the pH was 3.2, the Na ion concentration was 2 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 90%. When the supply time was 150 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.516 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration ratio was 1.5 times, the pH was 3.2, the Na ion concentration was 0 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 100%.

[0148] Furthermore, when the properties of the cationic liquid 16 were measured, after a supply time of 40 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.013 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration was 98.7 times, the pH was 10.5, the Na ion concentration was 20 ppm, and the Na ion concentration was 1.0%. After a supply time of 80 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.009 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration was 99.1 times, the pH was 10.4, the Na ion concentration was 11 ppm, and the Na ion concentration was 0.6%. After a supply time of 120 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.000 wt %, the colloidal silica concentration was 100.0 times, the pH was 9.9, the Na ion concentration was 5 ppm, and the Na ion concentration was 0.3%. From the above results, it was found that the separation efficiency of 100% was achieved when the concentration of Na ions in the circulating liquid was 0 ppm, and the separation efficiency of particles was also 100%. － )) 50) was achieved, achieving 100% separation efficiency and removing Na ions (0 ppm).

[0149] [Embodiment 9] Fig. 11A is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of embodiment 9. Note that the same components as those of the first to eighth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 11A, the ion separation device of embodiment 9 is a seawater desalination device 70 formed by connecting the ion separation device 10A of embodiment 1 and the ion separation device 10B of embodiment 2 in series.

[0150] As shown in Figure 11A, the ion separation device of embodiment 9 is a modified example of the ion separation device described above, and the lower side of the figure is the ion separation device 10A of embodiment 1, and the upper side is the ion separation device 10B of embodiment 2.

[0151] The ion separation device 10A of embodiment 1 on the lower side and the ion separation device 10B of embodiment 2 on the upper side form a unit, and by connecting multiple such units, the ion separation efficiency of cations and anions is significantly improved.

[0152] In this embodiment, saltwater (NaCl) is used as the feed liquid 71. As shown in Fig. 11A, the lower ion separation device 10A allows cations to pass through but blocks anions, while the upper ion separation device 10B allows anions to pass through but blocks cations. In other words, the ion separation device of embodiment 5 separates cations and anions from saltwater, and can therefore function as a so-called seawater desalination device.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 11A, a seawater desalination apparatus 70, which is an ion separation apparatus of embodiment 9, has a first ion separation apparatus 10A arranged in the lower stage, and supplies a sodium chloride aqueous solution (brine) 71 into the supply chamber 12 of the first ion separation apparatus 10A.

[0154] Sodium ions in the supplied aqueous sodium chloride solution 71 permeate the cathode filter plate electrode 14 together with water. In this first ion separation device 10A, Na ions permeate the cathode filter plate electrodes 14 (14A, 14B), while chloride ions are blocked by the cathode filter plate electrodes 14, resulting in the chloride ions being concentrated and discharged from the supply chamber 12. The alkaline solution 16 from which the sodium ions have permeated is discharged from the cation chamber 17 as first cation liquid 16-1. The separation efficiency of Na ions in this first stage is 95%, meaning that Na ions are reduced by approximately 95%.

[0155] Next, the first cationic liquid 16-1 is supplied into the supply chamber 22 of the second ion separation device 10B on the upper side. The first cationic liquid 16-1, which is a cationic permeate liquid in which sodium ions have been concentrated in the first ion separation device 10A on the lower side, is converted into sodium ions (Na ＋ ) are blocked by the anode filter plate electrodes 24 (24A, 24B), only water passes through, and desalinated water 72 is discharged from the anion chamber 27. The first ion separation device 10A and the second ion separation device 10B are combined to form a module. By installing multiple stages of this module, it is possible to ＋ The ion concentration can be reduced to a desired concentration.

[0156] In order to reduce the salt content of seawater from 3.5%, it is generally considered that the salt concentration should be reduced to 0.05% so that it can be used as a drink.

[0157] 11B is a schematic diagram of a seawater desalination facility configured with multiple units of the seawater desalination apparatus, which is the ion separation apparatus of Embodiment 9. As shown in FIG. 11B , by configuring the seawater desalination apparatus 70 as multiple units and forming an n-stage module, it is possible to reduce the salinity to a desired concentration. As a result, by configuring the seawater desalination apparatus 70 with multiple units, it is possible to reduce the salinity of seawater (salinity: approximately 3.5%) to the salinity of water for daily use.

[0158] In this way, the reverse osmosis membrane method, which uses a reverse osmosis membrane that is generally used in seawater desalination equipment, desalinates seawater with a salt concentration of 3.5% to a salt concentration of 0.05% so that it can be used as drinking water, but it is possible to desalinate seawater to a sodium ion concentration of the same or higher.

[0159] In addition, particles (e.g., organisms such as plankton, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.: (●(Ptcl － Even when the charged particles 50 are present, as described above, the charged particles 50 can also be separated, so seawater desalination can be performed. Particles can be separated if they are charged to one side or the other.

[0160] In addition, seawater desalination using conventional reverse osmosis membrane equipment involves the removal of particles (e.g., organisms such as plankton, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.: (●(Ptcl － )) 50 causes clogging of the reverse osmosis membrane, so it was treated in the upstream stage of the reverse osmosis membrane device.

[0161] In other words, in the prior art seawater desalination using the reverse osmosis membrane method, seawater is purified to the utmost extent in pretreatment to prevent clogging of the sub-nanometer pores of the reverse osmosis membrane.

[0162] In contrast, in the seawater desalination plant 70 using the ion separation device of the present invention, the charged particles (●(Ptcl － )) 50 can be separated, so even if there is a small amount of plankton, etc., separation processing is possible as long as it is electrically charged.

[0163] That is, negatively charged particles can be blocked by the lower stage first treatment ion separator 10A, and positively charged particles can be blocked by the upper stage second treatment ion separator 10B.

[0164] A common technique for desalinating seawater is the "reverse osmosis membrane method," which uses the "reverse osmosis phenomenon" to apply an artificial high pressure greater than the osmotic pressure to the saltwater, forcing only the water molecules in the saltwater across a semipermeable membrane and into the freshwater.

[0165] This conventional reverse osmosis membrane seawater desalination method, for example, has the problem of generating concentrated salt brine from the seawater desalination plant. In most cases, untreated brine is directly dumped into the sea, which poses a serious risk of ocean contamination by harmful chemicals such as anti-scalant agents and antifouling agents contained in the waste, adversely affecting marine life and the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, because brine contains a large amount of salt, its salinity is higher than that of the receiving water, resulting in the problem of consuming dissolved oxygen (DO) in the receiving water.

[0166] The seawater desalination system 70 using the ion separation device of the present invention does not have this problem of brine. While the reverse osmosis membrane method requires a pretreatment process for the seawater supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane, the seawater desalination system of the present invention is efficient because it only requires the installation of a simple pretreatment facility consisting of a sand filter to remove impurities from the seawater.

[0167] 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of an ion separator according to a tenth embodiment. Components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The ion separator in Fig. 12 has an active electrode arrangement, while the ion separator in Fig. 13 has a passive electrode arrangement.

[0168] 12, a power source is connected to all eight electrodes. The ion separation device 10D of the fourth embodiment has two sets (14-1, 14-2, 24-1, 24-2) of electrodes (cathode filter plate electrodes, anode filter plate electrodes), and two sets (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2) of cation chambers 17 and two sets (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2) of anion chambers 27.

[0169] The potentials of cathode electrodes 14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, and 14B-2 are set to −15 V, −20 V, −30 V, and −35 V, respectively, by power supplies (ES1, ES2, IS1, IS2, IS3, IS4, IS5, and IS6). The potentials of anode electrodes 24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, and 24B-2 are set to +15 V, +20 V, +30 V, and +35 V, respectively. The absolute values ​​of the potentials of the cathode electrodes (14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, and 14B-2) and anode electrodes (24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, and 24B-2) are set to increase with increasing distance from supply chamber 12. In contrast, the ion separator 10L in Fig. 13 connects a power source only to the two electrodes at both ends to supply potentials of -35 V and +35 V. In Figs. 12 and 13, the ion separation chamber is indicated by a dashed dotted line. Note that a piezoelectric vibrator 80 is disposed in the ion separators 10K and 10L of this embodiment.

[0170] [Embodiment 11] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including an ion separation device according to embodiment 11. As shown in FIG.

[0171] As shown in Fig. 14, the ion separation and concentration system 100 of the eleventh embodiment includes a valuable resource concentrator 102 that concentrates a dilute solution 101 containing particles 50, which are valuable resources, together with the particles 50, into concentrated valuable resources 103. The valuable resource concentrator 102 concentrates a dilute solution (cations, valuable resources) containing at least one of cations and anions, and the particles 50, into concentrated valuable resources 103. The ion separator 104 (e.g., any one of the ion separators 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10H of the above-described embodiments) removes either or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated valuable resources 103. Note that Fig. 14 illustrates cations as the ions.

[0172] An example of a valuables concentrator is a filter such as a rotary ceramic membrane filter (Dynafilter; registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0173] According to the ion separation and concentration system 100 of this embodiment, a diluted solution with a low concentration of valuable materials is concentrated once in the concentrating device 102, and then impurity cations (Na ions) can be separated from the concentrated valuable materials 103.

[0174] As a result, the valuable materials are concentrated, the ion concentration in the valuable materials is reduced, and the purity of the valuable materials is improved.

[0175] That is, as explained in the ion separation device 10H of embodiment 8 using Figure 9, by separating cations (Na ions) while circulating the particles (●(Ptcl-)) 50 as they are, if the particles (●(Ptcl-)) 50 are valuable materials, it is possible to easily remove cations (e.g., Na+, etc.) that are impurities contained in the valuable materials, thereby improving the purity of the product.

[0176] [Embodiment 11] Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of another ion separation device according to embodiment 11. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0177] The ion separation device 10M in FIG. 17 is a conventional ion separation device having a so-called ion exchange membrane function.

[0178] In this embodiment, sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as an example for description. As shown in FIG. 17, the ion separation device 10M of the eleventh embodiment separates cations (Na ＋ ) and anions (Cl － ) containing an electrolyte solution (NaCl + H ２ An electrolyte solution supply chamber (hereinafter referred to as "supply chamber") 12 supplies an electrolyte solution (hereinafter referred to as "supply solution") 11, and two chambers are arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 to supply cations (Na ＋ A cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating the separated cations (Na ＋The electrolytic solution 11 is provided with a cation chamber 17 into which the alkaline solution 110 flows together with water as a cation solution (hereinafter also referred to as "alkaline solution") 110, and a flat cathode electrode (negative electrode) 25 provided in the cation chamber 17 at a position facing the cathode filter plate electrode 14. The feed chamber 12 is provided with a feed port and a discharge port (not shown), and a feed solution 11, which is an electrolytic solution, is supplied into the feed chamber 12.

[0179] The cation chamber 17 is provided with a substitution liquid supply port and a substitution liquid discharge port (not shown) for supplying a substitution liquid for replacing the migrated cations, and a substitution liquid 110 is supplied into the cation chamber 17. This substitution liquid 110 is used to replace the cations (Na ＋ ) was replaced with alkaline solution 110A.

[0180] The cathode filter plate electrode 14 is composed of a first cathode electrode 14A and a second cathode electrode 14B, and further includes a diaphragm (filter plate) 13, which is an insulator having pores 13a, sandwiched between the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B. The diaphragm 13 may be made of, for example, cellulose, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0181] The ion separation device 10M further includes a first power supply 41 electrically connected to the flat-plate anode electrode 15 and the first cathode electrode 14A, a second power supply 42 electrically connected to the first cathode electrode 14A and the second cathode electrode 14B, and a fifth power supply 45 electrically connected to the flat-plate cathode electrode 25 and the first cathode electrode 14A. The electrodes are configured such that the second cathode electrode 14B is at a first potential (V1), the first cathode electrode 14A is at a second potential (V2), the flat-plate anode electrode 15 is at a third potential (V3), and the flat-plate cathode electrode 25 is at a fourth potential (V4). The power supplies (the first power supply 41, the second power supply 42, and the fifth power supply 45) are set so that the potentials satisfy the relationship V3 > V2 > V1 > V4.

[0182] The absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases with increasing distance from supply chamber 12 (|V4| (40 V) > |V1| (20 V) > |V2| (10 V)).

[0183] In the ion separation device 10A shown in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 , water is allowed to pass through the cathode filter plate electrode 14. However, in the eleventh embodiment, only a small amount of water is allowed to pass through. This is because the supply liquid 11 and the substitution liquid 110 are supplied in a balanced manner. As a result, at the cathode filter plate electrode 14, Na ions are attracted to the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side and move into the cation chamber 17. At this time, there is almost no movement of water, so that only ions move from the supply liquid (NaCl) 11 to the substitution liquid (distilled water) 110, thereby replacing the substitution liquid 110.

[0184] Therefore, at the beginning of operation, only Na ions pass through, so the Na ion concentration in the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110 is low, but as operation continues, only Na ions gradually pass through, so the Na ion concentration in the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110 increases and it becomes an alkaline liquid.

[0185] Here, the reasons for the lack of water movement include, for example, the following: 1) The diaphragm 13 acts as a filtration resistance, and water hardly passes through. 2) There is almost no pressure difference between the two chambers (supply chamber 12 / cation chamber 17). 3) The supply tank (not shown) and the replacement fluid supply tank (not shown) that supply the supply solution 11 are supplied from approximately the same position (i.e., the flow rate is the same as that of the pump).

[0186] As described above, according to the ion separation device 10M of this embodiment, cations (Na ions) in the supply liquid 11 supplied into the supply chamber 12 are attracted to the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side and move (permeate) within the cation chamber 17.

[0187] According to this embodiment, the migrated (permeated) cations (Na ions) are replaced with a substitution fluid 110 separately supplied into the cation chamber 17, thereby performing the so-called ion dialysis function.

[0188] On the other hand, anions (Cl ions) are repelled by the cathode first electrode 14A and cannot move, remaining in the supply chamber 12. As a result, as operation continues, the amount of cations (Na ions) in the supply chamber 12 decreases and the amount of anions (Cl ions) increases. As operation time progresses, the substitution liquid 110 changes from distilled water (pH 7.0) to an alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (pH = 11.8).

[0189] The replacement liquid 110 may or may not be circulated. The supply liquid may or may not be circulated.

[0190] That is, an ion separation device that exhibits ion dialysis function can be provided by implementing the following three patterns as needed: Pattern 1) Neither the supply liquid nor the replacement liquid is circulated. Pattern 2) Only either the supply liquid or the replacement liquid is circulated. Pattern 3) Both the supply liquid and the replacement liquid are circulated.

[0191] [Embodiment 12] Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of embodiment 12. Note that the same components as those in the ion separation device of embodiment 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, sodium chloride (NaCl) will also be used as an example for description. As shown in Fig. 18, the ion separation device 10N of this embodiment is a device that separates anions dissociated in a solvent (polar solvent; for example, water).

[0192] As shown in FIG. 18, the ion separation device 10N separates cations (Na ＋ ) and anions (Cl － A supply chamber 12 supplies a supply solution 11 containing anions (Cl), and two supply chambers 12 are disposed on both sides of the supply chamber 12, respectively. － ) and a cathode electrode 25, which is a flat plate, and a separator 26. －The anion chamber 22 is provided with an anion chamber 27 into which anion solution (hereinafter also referred to as "acid solution") 26 flows together with water, and a flat anode electrode (positive electrode) 15 is provided in the anion chamber 27 at a position facing the anode filter plate electrode 24. The supply chamber 22 is provided with a supply port and a discharge port (not shown), and a supply solution 11, which is an electrolyte, is supplied into the supply chamber 22. The anion chamber 27 is provided with a substitution solution supply port and a substitution solution discharge port for supplying a substitution solution 110 that replaces the migrated anions, and the substitution solution 110 is supplied into the anion chamber 27. This substitution solution 110 is mixed with anions (Cl) that have been migrated into the anion chamber 27 by ion exchange with the anode filter plate electrode 24. － ) is replaced with acidic solution 110B.

[0193] The anode filter plate electrode 24 is composed of a first anode electrode 24A and a second anode electrode 24B, and a diaphragm 23, which is an insulator having fine holes, is sandwiched between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B. The diaphragm 23 is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

[0194] The ion separation device 10N has a third power supply 43 electrically connected to the flat-plate cathode electrode 25 and the anode first electrode 24A, a fourth power supply 44 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, and a sixth power supply 46 electrically connected to the flat-plate anode electrode 15 and the anode second electrode 24B.

[0195] Here, the electrode configuration is such that the anode second electrode 24B is at a first potential (V11), the anode first electrode 24A is at a second potential (V12), the flat-plate cathode electrode 25 is at a fifth potential (V5), and the flat-plate anode electrode 15 is at a sixth potential (V6). The power supplies (third power supply 43, fourth power supply 44, sixth power supply 46) are set so that the potentials satisfy the relationship V5<V12<V11<V6.

[0196] The absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases with increasing distance from supply chamber 12 (|V6| (40 V) > |V11| (20 V) > |V12| (10 V)).

[0197] An example will be described in which a sodium chloride solution (NaCl+H2O) is supplied as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 22. As described above, the ion state in the supply chamber 22 is positive ions (sodium ions: Na ＋ ) and anions (chlorine ions: Cl － ) and an anion, chloride ion (Cl ). － ) is drawn in.

[0198] In the ion separation device 10B of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, water is allowed to pass through the anode filter plate electrode 24. However, the ion separation device 10N of the twelfth embodiment is configured to allow only a small amount of water to pass through. This is because the supply liquid 11 and the replacement liquid 110 are supplied in a balanced manner. As a result, anions (chlorine ions: Cl － ) are drawn into the anode first electrode 24A on the anode side and move (permeate) into the anion chamber 27. At this time, there is almost no movement of water, so as a result, chloride ions (Cl) are transferred from the supply solution (NaCl) 11 in the supply chamber 22 to the replacement solution (distilled water) 110 in the anion chamber 27. － ) moves (permeates) and is replaced with the replacement liquid 110, becoming an acidic liquid.

[0199] As described above, according to the ion separation device 10N of this embodiment, anions (chloride ions) in the supply liquid 11 are attracted to the first anode electrode 24A on the anode side and move (permeate) into the anion chamber 27. The anions (chloride ions) that have moved (permeated) are replaced with the replacement liquid 110 that is separately supplied into the anion chamber 27, thereby achieving the so-called ion dialysis function.

[0200] On the other hand, cations (Na ions) are repelled by the anode first electrode 24A and cannot move, remaining in the supply chamber 12. As a result, as operation continues, the amount of cations (Na ions) in the supply chamber 12 increases and the amount of anions (Cl ions) decreases. As operation time progresses, the substitution liquid 110 changes from distilled water (pH 7.0) to an acidic solution (pH = 2.4).

[0201] [Embodiment 13] Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of embodiment 13. Note that the same components as those of embodiments 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 19, an ion separation device 10P of this embodiment is a combination of the ion separation device 10M of embodiment 11 and the ion separation device 10N of embodiment 12, and separates cations and anions and replaces them with a replacement liquid 110 to obtain an alkaline liquid 16 and an acidic liquid 26.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 19, the ion separation device 10P of the thirteenth embodiment includes a supply chamber 12 for supplying a supply liquid 11 of an electrolyte solution (e.g., NaCl solution) containing cations and anions, and two electrolytic solutions 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f ... ＋ ) and a cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with a diaphragm (filter paper) 13 for separating anions (Cl － The anode filter plate electrode 24 is provided with a diaphragm 23 for separating the separated cations (Na+), the cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na+) flow together with water as a cation solution (alkaline solution) 16, and the separated anions (Cl － The anion chamber 27 receives the anion solution (acid solution) 26 together with water. The anion chamber 27 further includes a flat cathode electrode (negative electrode) 25 located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode 14 in the cation chamber 17, and a flat anode electrode (positive electrode) 15 located opposite the anode filter plate electrode 24 in the anion chamber 27.

[0203] The ion separation device 10P has a first power supply 41 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the anode first electrode 24A, a second power supply 42 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B, a fourth power supply 44 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, a fifth power supply 45 electrically connected to the flat-plate cathode electrode 25 and the cathode second electrode 14B, and a sixth power supply 46 electrically connected to the flat-plate anode electrode 15 and the anode second electrode 24B.

[0204] The cation chamber 17 is provided with a substitution liquid inlet and a substitution liquid outlet for supplying a substitution liquid to replace the migrated cations, and a substitution liquid 110 is supplied into the cation chamber 17. This substitution liquid 110 is used to replace the cations (Na ions) that have been migrated into the cation chamber 17 by ion exchange using the cathode filter plate electrode 14. ＋ ) is replaced with the substitute liquid 110 to form the alkaline liquid 110A.

[0205] The anion chamber 27 is provided with a substitution liquid inlet and a substitution liquid outlet for supplying a substitution liquid 110 for replacing the anions that have moved, and the substitution liquid 110 is supplied into the anion chamber 27. This substitution liquid 110 is mixed with the anions (Cl) that have moved into the anion chamber 27 by ion exchange using the anode filter plate electrode 24. － ) is replaced with the replacement liquid 110 to form the acidic liquid 110B.

[0206] In this embodiment, the diaphragm 13 in the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

[0207] Next, an example of dialysis separation of cations and anions by supplying a sodium chloride solution as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0208] As described above, the ion state in the supply chamber 12 is positive ions (sodium ions: Na ＋ ) and anions (chlorine ions: Cl －) and a positive ion, sodium ion (Na ＋ ) is drawn in.

[0209] In contrast, chloride ions (Cl － ) are anions, and are therefore blocked by the negative cathode first electrode 14A and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A.

[0210] As a result, at the cathode filter plate electrode 14, Na ions are attracted to the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side and move into the cation chamber 17. At this time, there is almost no movement of water, so as a result, only ions move from the supply solution (NaCl) 11 to the substitution solution (distilled water) 110, and are replaced by the substitution solution 110 to become alkaline solution 110A.

[0211] In addition, in the supply chamber 12, an anode filter plate electrode (anode first electrode 24A, anode second electrode 24B) 24 disposed opposite the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is charged with an anion, chlorine ion (Cl - ) is attracted to the negative ion, chloride ion (Cl - As a result, the permeated chlorine ions replace the replacement water 110 to form an acidic solution 110B.

[0212] In contrast, sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is a positive ion, and is therefore blocked by the anode first electrode 24A and cannot pass through the anode first electrode 24A.

[0213] As a result, sodium ions (Na ＋ ) is dialyzed and concentrated. － ) is dialyzed and concentrated. As a result, the third supply / discharge liquid 11C discharged from the supply chamber 12 contains sodium ions (Na ＋ ) decreases, and chloride ions (Cl － ) also decreases.

[0214] As described above, according to the ion separation device 10P of this embodiment, the ion state (sodium ion (Na ＋ ) and chloride ions (Cl - ) mixed state: pH = 7.0), sodium ions (Na ＋ ) permeates and enters the cation chamber 17. + At the same time, chloride ions (Cl ) are concentrated on the anode filter plate electrode 24 side located on the right side of the supply chamber 12. - ) permeates and chloride ions (Cl) enter the anion chamber 27. - ) is concentrated.

[0215] The separation of cations and anions in this ion separator 10P was confirmed using pH and BTB reagent. A 0.05% aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) was used as the feed solution 11, and the pH was adjusted with a carbonate buffer to a pH of 7.0. At the same time, the pH state in each chamber was visualized by coloring using BTB (bromothymol blue) reagent.

[0216] As a result of this confirmation, the ion state of the supply liquid 11 to be supplied to the supply chamber 12 (sodium ions (Na ＋ ) and chloride ions (Cl － ) (a mixture of alkaline solution 110B and anion solution 110B: pH = 7.0) was subjected to ion separation, and the pH of the alkaline solution 110B discharged from the cation chamber 17 became 11.8, and the pH of the acidic solution 110B6 discharged from the anion chamber 27 became 2.4.

[0217] Furthermore, as a result of testing with the BTB reagent, the supply solution (pH=7.0) 11 supplied to the supply chamber 12 was green in color, but the alkaline solution (pH=11.8) 16 in the cation chamber 17 changed to blue, and the acidic solution (pH=2.4) 26 in the anion chamber 27 changed to yellow. Furthermore, in a flame color reaction test using a copper wire, the alkaline solution 16 turned orange due to Na ions, and the acidic solution 26 turned to copper chloride (CuCl ２) changed to green, and it was confirmed that ion separation was achieved reliably in each flame color reaction test.

[0218] As a result, the circulating liquid, which is the third supply / discharge liquid 11C discharged from the supply chamber 12, contains sodium ions (Na ＋ ) decreases, and chloride ions (Cl － ) also decreases (pH = 4.5).

[0219] 3B, a piezoelectric vibrator (vibration member) 80, which is a piezoelectric member, may be installed in the supply chamber 12, the cation chamber 17, and the anion chamber 27. This prevents adhesion of particles 42, and therefore allows the voltage applied to the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B to be lowered overall.

[0220] [Embodiment 14] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 14. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0221] The ion separation devices 10M to 10P of the 11th to 13th embodiments have been described as techniques for dialysis separation of cations or anions in an electrolyte solution, but the ion separation device of the present invention is not limited to this. The ion separation device 10Q of the 14th embodiment has the same configuration as the ion separation device 10P of the 19th embodiment (see FIG. 19) described above, but the ion separation device 10Q of the 14th embodiment has a configuration in which particles (Ptcl indicated by "●" in the figure) are contained in the supply liquid supplied to the supply chamber 12. － In other words, in the electrodialysis apparatus of the prior art, when particles are mixed in the material to be separated, the particles adhere to the dialysis membrane, preventing electrodialysis from proceeding.

[0222] In contrast, the ion separation device 10 of this embodiment can continue dialysis and separation even when particles are present. Like anions (chlorine ions), particles (negatively charged) 50 repel the cathode first electrode 14A and do not move to the cation chamber 17. Meanwhile, since there is no water movement in the anion chamber 27, the particles that would otherwise move with the water hardly move at all. This is because there is no pressure difference between the supply chamber 12 and the anion chamber 27, so there is almost no water movement between the supply liquid 11 and the substitution liquid 110. As a result, while particles 50 remain in the supply chamber 12, only both ions (cations and anions) permeate both chambers (cation chamber 17 and anion chamber 27) and are replaced with the substitution liquid, resulting in alkaline liquid 110A and acidic liquid 110B, respectively.

[0223] 21 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 15. As shown in FIG. 21, the ion separation device 10R of embodiment 15 includes the ion separation device 10P of embodiment 13 (see FIG. 19), a supply tank 55 for supplying an electrolyte solution (supply liquid 11) containing cations, and a supply line L for supplying the supply liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P-1. １－１ a circulation line L1-2 for circulating the first supply / discharge liquid 11C from the supply chamber 12 to the supply chamber 12; an alkali line L3-1 for discharging the alkaline solution 110A from the cation chamber 17 to the alkali tank 56; and an alkali line L4-2 for circulating the alkaline solution 110A from the alkali tank 56 to the cation chamber 17 as replacement water by a pump P-2. ３－２ and an acid line L for discharging the acid solution 110B from the anion chamber 27 to the acid solution tank 58. ５－１ and an acid line L that circulates the acid solution 110B from the acid solution tank 58 to the anion chamber 27 as replacement water by a pump P-3. ５－２ It is equipped with the following.

[0224] By using the ion separation device 10R of this embodiment 15, alkaline liquid 110A, which is a cation liquid that has been replaced with the substitution liquid 110, can be continuously obtained in the alkaline tank 56, and acidic liquid 110B, which is an anion liquid that has been replaced with the substitution liquid 110, can be continuously obtained in the acidic liquid tank 58.

[0225] Sixteenth Embodiment FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including the ion separation device of the eleventh embodiment.

[0226] As shown in Figure 22, the ion separation and concentration system 200 of embodiment 16 includes a valuables concentration device 102 that concentrates a dilute solution 101 containing particles 50, which are valuables, together with the particles 50, into a concentrated valuables 103, the dilute solution (cations, valuables) containing at least one of cations and anions, and an ion separation device 204 (for example, ion separation device 10M, ion separation device 10N, ion separation device 10C, or ion separation device 10P) that removes either or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated valuables 103.

[0227] An example of a valuable resource concentrator is a filter such as a rotary ceramic membrane filter (Dynafilter; registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0228] According to the ion separation and concentration system 200 of this embodiment, a diluted solution with a low concentration of valuable materials is concentrated once in the concentrator 102, and then impurities such as cations and anions can be separated from the concentrated valuable materials 103.

[0229] As a result, the valuable materials are concentrated, the ion concentration in the valuable materials is reduced, and the purity of the valuable materials is improved.

[0230] That is, as explained in the ion separation device 10Q of the fourteenth embodiment with reference to FIG. 20, the particles (●(Ptcl － )) 50 is circulated as it is, and the cations (Na ions) are separated to separate the particles (●(Ptcl －)) 50 is a valuable material, it is possible to easily remove cations (e.g., Na ions) that are impurities contained in the valuable material, thereby improving the purity of the product.

[0231] Furthermore, even when the diluted solution contains only anions or a mixture of cations and anions rather than cations, the ions can be easily removed, thereby improving the purity of the product.

[0232] The electrode configuration of the ion separator having the ion dialysis separation function described above may also be the active electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 12 or the passive electrode arrangement shown in FIG.

[0233] [Embodiment 17] Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of a seawater desalination system including the seawater desalination apparatus 70 of the above-described embodiment 9. As shown in Fig. 23, a seawater desalination system 1000 according to embodiment 17 of the present invention includes a first pretreatment device 1001, a second pretreatment device 1002 provided downstream of the first pretreatment device 1001, and a seawater desalination device 70 provided downstream of the second pretreatment device 1002. Note that each device is connected by piping.

[0234] The first pretreatment device 1001 is, for example, a sand filter device, and includes a pretreatment container into which seawater 1010A taken from the sea is introduced, and a filter material made of filter sand or the like filled in the pretreatment container. The seawater 1010A supplied into the first pretreatment container 1001 passes through the filter material, and contaminants such as turbid components and impurities contained in the seawater 1010A are removed.

[0235] The second pretreatment device 1002 includes an adsorption vessel (e.g., a column) (not shown) to which seawater 1010A from the first pretreatment device 1001 is supplied, and a hydrophilic polymer adsorbent, for example, disposed in the adsorption vessel. The hydrophilic polymer adsorbent is a material that can efficiently adsorb biopolymers, which are the main cause of biofouling among fouling-causing substances.

[0236] As shown in Figure 23, a seawater desalination system 1000 takes in seawater 1010 from the ocean and supplies the seawater 1010 to a first pretreatment device 1001 through piping. The seawater 1010 supplied to the first pretreatment device 1001 is pretreated by the first pretreatment device 1001, and contaminants contained in the seawater 1010 are removed. Pretreated seawater 1010A pretreated by the first pretreatment device 1001 is supplied to a second pretreatment device 1002 as first treated water. Fouling-causing substances contained in the first treated water are adsorbed and removed by this second pretreatment device 1002. Second treated water seawater 1010B from which fouling-causing substances have been adsorbed and removed by the second pretreatment device 1002 is supplied to a seawater desalination device 70, where it is separated into concentrated water 1011 and fresh water 1012.

[0237] As mentioned above, the reverse osmosis membrane method, which is commonly used in seawater desalination systems, reduces seawater with a salinity of 3.5% to 0.05% so that it can be used as drinking water. However, this method can desalinate seawater to a sodium ion concentration similar to or higher than this. Furthermore, seawater can be desalinated even when it contains particles (e.g., living organisms such as plankton, organic particles, inorganic particles, etc.). In other words, particles contained in seawater can be separated if they are charged to one of two things. Therefore, depending on the particles to be removed, the installation of the second pretreatment device 1002 may be omitted, simplifying the system configuration.

[0238] The present invention is applicable to ion separation devices and ion separation methods in general that can efficiently separate ions in a solution.

[0239] 10A to 10R Ion separation device 11 Electrolyte solution (feed liquid) 11A First feed / discharge liquid 11B Second feed / discharge liquid 11C Third feed / discharge liquid 12 Feed chamber 12a Inlet 12b Feed liquid introduction line 12c Third outlet 13 Diaphragm (filter material) 14 Cathode filter plate electrode 14A First cathode electrode 14B Second cathode electrode 15 Flat plate anode electrode 16 Cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 17 Cation chamber 17a First outlet 22 Feed chamber 24 Anode filter plate electrode 24A First anode electrode 24B Second anode electrode 25 Flat plate cathode electrode 26 Anion liquid (acidic liquid) 27 Anion chamber 27a Second outlet 50 Particles 51 Particle-containing feed liquid 51A Discharge liquid 70 Seawater desalination device 71 Sodium chloride aqueous solution (seawater) 80 Piezoelectric vibrator 100 Ion separation and concentration system 110 Replacement liquid 110A Alkaline liquid 110B Acidic liquid 1000 Seawater desalination system DW Distilled water P Supply pump

Claims

1. An ion separation device comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; cathode filter plate electrodes disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having fine holes for separating cations; a flat anode electrode; and a cation chamber into which separated cations flow together with water as cation liquid.

2. An ion separation device comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; anode filter plate electrodes disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having fine holes for separating anions; a flat cathode electrode; and an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid.

3. An ion separation device comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; a cathode filter plate electrode provided on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with a diaphragm having pores for separating cations; an anode filter plate electrode provided with a diaphragm having pores for separating anions; a cation chamber into which separated cations flow together with water as cation liquid; and an anion chamber into which separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid.

4. An ion separation apparatus comprising an ion separation apparatus according to claim 1 and an ion separation apparatus according to claim 2 connected in series to form a stack, and two or more such stacks connected in series.

5. An ion separation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cathode filter plate electrode has a diaphragm sandwiched between the electrodes, and the diaphragm is in contact with the electrodes on both sides.

6. An ion separation apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the anode filter plate electrode has a diaphragm sandwiched between the electrodes, and the diaphragm is in contact with the electrodes on both sides.

7. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: a concentrator for concentrating a valuable substance in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable substance and a cation; and the ion separator of claim 1 for removing the cations in the concentrated solution.

8. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: a concentrator for concentrating a valuable substance in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable substance and anions; and the ion separator according to claim 2 for removing anions from the concentrated solution.

9. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: a concentrating device for concentrating an electrolyte solution containing at least one of cations and anions together with a valuable substance; and an ion separation device according to claim 3 for removing either or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated solution.

10. An ion separation device comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; cathode filter plate electrodes arranged on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating cations; a flat anode electrode; a cation chamber into which separated cations flow together with water as cation liquid; and a flat cathode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the cation chamber.

11. An ion separation device comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; anode filter plate electrodes arranged on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating anions; a flat cathode electrode; an anion chamber into which separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid; and a flat anode electrode positioned opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the anion chamber.

12. An ion separation device comprising: a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions; a cathode filter plate electrode arranged on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with a diaphragm having pores for separating cations; an anode filter plate electrode arranged with a diaphragm having pores for separating anions; a cation chamber into which separated cations flow in together with water as cation liquid; an anion chamber into which separated anions flow in together with water as an anion liquid; a flat cathode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the cation chamber; and a flat anode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the anion chamber.

13. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: a concentrating device for concentrating a valuable substance in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable substance and a cation; and an ion separation device according to claim 11 for removing the cations in the concentrated solution.

14. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: a concentrating device for concentrating a valuable substance in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable substance and anions; and an ion separation device according to claim 12 for removing anions from the concentrated solution.

15. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: a concentrating device for concentrating an electrolyte solution containing at least one of cations and anions together with a valuable substance; and an ion separation device according to claim 13 for removing either or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated solution.

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