Capacitive Desalination Flow Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive desalination filtration systems face limitations in plant efficiency and throughput due to low water recovery rates and the occurrence of dead zones during discharging, which affect the quality of the final treated water.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive desalination filtration system and method that equalizes the flow rate during discharging to charging, using a series of capacitive desalination units with nano-carbon electrodes and exchange membranes, and includes a circulating water tank unit, production water tank unit, and discharging water tank unit to manage the flow and regeneration of water, preventing dead zones and achieving target water recovery and salt removal rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If capacitive desalination is used to remove ions from circulating water, then water quality is improved and ions are removed, but water recovery rate is low and dead zones occur during discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the capacitive desalination process into multiple sequential units (first, second, and third capacitive desalination units) with intermediate treatment stages. This segmentation allows each unit to operate optimally for ion removal while the combined system achieves higher water recovery rates by processing water in stages rather than a single pass.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by equalizing flow rates during charging and discharging phases before water enters the capacitive desalination units. Flow rate equalization devices are installed to ensure uniform water distribution and prevent dead zone formation in advance, thereby improving both water quality and recovery rate simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If flow rate during discharging is lower than during charging, then ions are effectively removed, but dead zones occur and water quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Flow rate equalization devices are installed in advance to ensure uniform water distribution during both charging and discharging phases. This preliminary action prevents dead zone formation before it occurs, maintaining consistent water quality throughout the discharging process while preserving ion removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow rates during different operational phases (charging and discharging) to maintain optimal conditions. By making the flow rate adjustable and equalizing it across phases, the system prevents dead zone formation while maintaining effective ion removal, thereby ensuring consistent water quality.
3Productivity
If multiple capacitive desalination units are connected in series, then water recovery rate and salt removal rate increase, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmentation by dividing the desalination process into multiple modular units connected in series, each performing a specific stage of treatment. This modular approach achieves high water recovery rates and salt removal through cumulative effect while keeping each individual unit relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each capacitive desalination unit in the series is designed with universal functionality to handle both charging and discharging operations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using identical or similar components throughout the series, rather than requiring different specialized components for each stage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently treats and reuses circulating water by preventing dead zones and achieving a target water recovery rate and salt removal rate, enhancing the overall efficiency and quality of the treated water.
Implementation Method 1
when a voltage is applied within a potential range in which an electrolysis reaction of water does not occur, a certain amount of charge is charged to the electrode. When inflow water containing ions is passed through the charged electrode, ions with opposite charges to the charged electrode move to each electrode by electrostatic force and are adsorbed on the surface of the electrode
Implementation Method 2
ions with opposite charges to the charged electrode move to each electrode by electrostatic force and are adsorbed on the surface of the electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a capacitive desalination filtration system and a circulating water filtration method using same, wherein the system includes a circulating water tank unit connected to a transport pipe and configured to store circulating water, a capacitive desalination unit connected to the circulating water tank unit and supplied with the circulating water from the circulating water tank unit and configured to generate production water during charging and concentrated water during discharging, a production water tank unit connected to the capacitive desalination unit and configured to store the production water generated while passing through the capacitive desalination unit during charging, and a discharging water tank unit connected to the capacitive desalination unit and configured to store the concentrated water generated while passing through the capacitive desalination unit during discharging and to supply a portion of stored concentrated water to the capacitive desalination unit when the capacitive desalination unit is discharged.