Deionization Composite Electrode with Ion-Exchange Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deionization technologies for water purification, such as evaporation, filtration, and electrodialysis, are inefficient, costly, and require frequent replacement of equipment, leading to high energy consumption and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A deionization composite electrode with an ion-exchange membrane is developed, featuring a porous substrate with fine pores and conductive films formed by electrospraying an ion exchange solution and depositing conductive materials, allowing for an ultra-thin film structure with high storage capacity and specific surface area, integrated with a current collector to reduce costs and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional deionization technologies (evaporation, filtration, electrodialysis) are used, then water purification is achieved, but energy consumption increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining ion-exchange resins with conductive polymers or carbon materials to create electrodes that simultaneously perform ion exchange and electrical conduction, eliminating the need for separate energy-intensive heating or high-voltage systems while maintaining purification efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using low-voltage electrical fields combined with ion-exchange chemistry instead of high-temperature evaporation or high-pressure filtration, significantly reducing energy consumption while achieving effective water purification
2Quantity of substance
If evaporation method is used for deionization, then water purification is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to large equipment volume and high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film composite electrode structures with ion-exchange layers deposited on conductive substrates, reducing equipment volume and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining purification capacity through high surface-area-to-volume ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermal evaporation system with an electrochemical system using ion-exchange membranes and low-voltage electrical fields, eliminating large heating equipment and associated manufacturing costs
3Quantity of substance
If electrodialysis method is used, then ion removal is achieved, but equipment replacement frequency increases leading to waste and increased incidental expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite electrode structures where ion-exchange resins are integrated with durable conductive frameworks, producing materials that resist degradation and fouling better than conventional electrodialysis membranes, thereby extending equipment service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs easily replaceable modular electrode units with simple structures that can be cleaned or replaced without replacing entire equipment systems, reducing waste and incidental expenses associated with frequent equipment replacement
4Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis membrane device and deionization electrode device are used separately, then comprehensive deionization is achieved, but apparatus size increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reverse osmosis membrane function and deionization electrode function into a single integrated device where ion-exchange coated electrodes serve both as filtration media and electrical components, reducing apparatus size and manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive deionization effectiveness
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 solution achieves a high storage capacity at a lower cost, with improved ion adsorption and desorption efficiency, reduced production costs, and a flexible design for efficient water purification, while avoiding the use of binders and minimizing equipment replacement.
Implementation Method 1
improved ion adsorption and desorption efficiency
Implementation Method 2
conductive films formed by electrospraying an ion exchange solution
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a deionization composite electrode, a method of manufacturing the deionization composite electrode, and a deionization apparatus using the same. The deionization composite electrode includes: a porous substrate having fine pores; an ion exchange membrane that is formed by electrospraying an ion exchange solution on one surface of the porous substrate; and a conductive film that is formed on the other surface of the porous substrate.