CDI Water Treatment Flow Separation for Selective Ion Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment apparatuses using capacitive deionization (CDI) technology face inefficiencies in ion removal processes, particularly in managing fluid flow rates and ion concentrations across ion exchange membranes, leading to suboptimal purification efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a fluid separation device with an outer guide and center guide to separate fluids based on ion concentration, directing high-concentration fluids through additional ion removal modules while bypassing lower-concentration fluids, enhancing the overall efficiency of ion removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all fluids discharged from the first ion removal apparatus are guided through the second ion removal apparatus, then ion removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion removal efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of ion removal modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment path based on fluid characteristics. The fluid separation device identifies and separates high-concentration fluids that require additional ion removal through the second apparatus, while allowing low-concentration fluids to bypass directly to the discharge device. This selective approach optimizes ion removal efficiency for fluids that need it while avoiding unnecessary processing for fluids that have already been sufficiently purified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the number of ion removal modules is increased, then ion removal efficiency is improved, but loss of substance and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion removal efficiencyVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by applying the second ion removal apparatus only to the portion of fluid that requires it (high-concentration fluids identified by the fluid separation device), rather than processing all fluids through multiple stages. This partial processing approach maintains high ion removal efficiency for problematic fluids while minimizing unnecessary water consumption and resource usage for fluids that have already been adequately treated in the first apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This configuration improves ion removal efficiency by selectively guiding high-concentration fluids for further purification, reducing the number of ion removal modules required and optimizing the use of resources, thereby enhancing the overall purification process.

Implementation Method 1

a first cation exchange membrane, a first anion exchange membrane, and a first deionization channel between the first cation exchange membrane and the first anion exchange membrane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

capacitive deionization (CDI) technology... removes ions by adsorbing ions to an electrode having a high specific surface area using an electrochemical method... move ions by an electric field generated in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fluid flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP4707249A1Water treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4707249A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707249A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4707249A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water treatment apparatus includes a first ion removal module including a first cation exchange membrane, a first anion exchange membrane, and a first deionization channel therebetween; a second ion removal module including a second cation exchange membrane, a second anion exchange membrane, and a second deionization channel therebetween; and a fluid separation device to separate a fluid, discharged from the first deionization channel, and to guide the fluid. The fluid separation device includes an outer guide to guide a portion of the fluid discharged from the first deionization channel to an outside of the second deionization channel, and a center guide to guide another portion of the fluid from the first deionization channel to the second deionization channel, and the center guide arranged inside of the outer guide..