Concentric Layer Capacitor Cylinder for Deionization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current capacitive deionization devices face limitations such as mixing of clean and dirty streams, large dead volume, difficulty in adjusting performance parameters, high energy consumption, and limited ion adsorption capacity due to their design constraints, which restrict their effectiveness in deionizing liquids.
Innovation Solution
The concentric layer electric double layer capacitor design features tubular carbon electrodes forming concentric pairs with ion-specific membranes and dielectric spacers, allowing for efficient ion separation and energy recovery, enabling clear delineation between clean and dirty streams, reduced residence time, and adjustable performance parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flat plate or spiral wound capacitive deionization devices are used, then ion removal capability is achieved, but clean and dirty streams mix together reducing purification efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the flow path into distinct segments: a first flow path for the cleaned stream and a second flow path for the concentrated stream. These paths are physically separated through the capacitor structure, preventing mixing and enabling independent collection of purified and concentrated streams, thereby improving purification efficiency.
2Reliability
If traditional capacitive deionization devices are used, then ion adsorption occurs, but large dead volume spaces cause stream mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor structure is designed with concentric cylindrical electrodes where the anode and cathode are nested one inside the other. This nested configuration eliminates dead volume spaces between plates while maintaining effective ion adsorption surfaces, allowing efficient ion separation without stream mixing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid casings are used in traditional devices, then structural stability is maintained, but performance parameters cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable components including variable power supply voltage to control charging/discharging rates, adjustable flow rates through the capacitor, and modifiable operational parameters such as cycle timing. These dynamic adjustments allow optimization of performance for different applications while maintaining structural stability.
4Ease of manufacture
If spirally wound design is used, then capacitor assembly is simplified, but linear water path increases residence time and mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional spiral wound layout to a three-dimensional concentric cylindrical configuration. This dimensional change creates a radial flow path where water moves perpendicular to the capacitor axis, significantly reducing the linear travel distance and residence time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the concentric assembly process.
5Device complexity
If large internally exit tube is used, then device structure is simplified, but cleaned and dirty streams mix in the exit volume
Solution Approach 1:
The exit structure is segmented into separate outlets: a first outlet for the cleaned stream and a second outlet for the concentrated stream. These outlets are positioned at different locations and maintain physical separation throughout the exit path, preventing mixing while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
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 design enhances the separation efficiency of ions, reduces energy consumption, and allows for the deionization of high-salinity streams with improved control over ion removal, enabling the use of capacitive deionization in series without storage tanks and minimizing chemical use.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive deionization works as follows. An aqueous stream containing undesirable ions is fed into a device containing one or more pairs of electric double layer capacitors. A power supply is attached to the pairs and the capacitors are charged. Since there is a dielectric material or layer in between the layers, they hold their charge just like a standard capacitor. When charged 'positively', the cations and anions are removed from solution and adsorbed onto a capacitor which is typically made of carbon.
Implementation Method 2
Since there is a dielectric material or layer in between the layers, they hold their charge just like a standard capacitor.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an electric double layer capacitor electrochemical cylinder (11) made up of concentric layers of capacitors (16), current collectors (14a, 14b, 14c), ion specific membranes (18, 18a, 18b) and dielectric spacer (20) wrapped around an inner support tube (12) that can be used as a high capacitance capacitor and to remove dissolved solids from a liquid stream such as water, acid, aqueous or non-aqueous.