Two-Stage Electrodialysis for CO2 Capture and Brine Valorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for managing CO2 and rejected brine emissions from industries are energy-intensive, costly, and inefficient, with separate treatment processes leading to environmental pollution and reduced purity of by-products.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage electrodialysis process that integrates CO2 capture and brine treatment, utilizing cation and anion exchange membranes to produce high-purity products, including sodium carbonate and hydrogencarbonate, while minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional separate treatment processes are used for CO2 and brine, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but energy consumption increases and product purity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines CO2 capture and brine treatment into a single integrated electrodialysis process. The electrodialysis system simultaneously separates ions from brine while capturing CO2 in the same treatment train, eliminating the need for separate treatment processes and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high product purity through controlled ion separation stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrodialysis system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it treats brine by removing ions, captures CO2 from the gas stream, and produces high-purity water and concentrated salt solutions. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate treatment processes with a single versatile system that achieves both CO2 capture and brine valorization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If direct disposal methods are used for rejected brine, then treatment cost is reduced, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment costVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful rejected brine into valuable resources by using electrodialysis to separate and concentrate specific ions. The process produces high-purity water for reuse, concentrated salt solutions for industrial applications, and simultaneously captures CO2. This transforms a waste disposal problem into a resource recovery opportunity, eliminating environmental harm while creating economic value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If membrane-based technologies are used for high salinity brine, then treatment efficiency improves, but membrane fouling and precipitation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidmembrane fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrodialysis system is divided into multiple stages with different membrane configurations. The first stage uses membranes optimized for high-salinity feed to prevent fouling, while subsequent stages handle progressively lower salinity streams. This segmented approach allows each stage to operate within its optimal performance range, maintaining high treatment efficiency while preventing membrane precipitation and fouling that would occur in a single-stage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable simultaneous treatment of CO2 and brine emissions, producing multiple high-purity products with zero environmental discharge, suitable for integration with existing desalination plants.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing cation and anion exchange membranes to produce high-purity products

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

electrodialysis (ED) system for treating reject brine and capturing carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 3

dissolving CO2 into water to provide carbonate and bicarbonate ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

transporting carbonate and bicarbonate ions to the concentrate chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS12522524B2Method for simultaneous carbon dioxide capture and valorization of industrial brine using a two-stage electrodialysis process

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A system of treating reject brine and capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) includes a two-stage electrodialysis (ED) process for producing multiple products with high purity from rejected brine and flue gas mixtures (10% CO2 and 90% N2) emitted from an industrial plant. According to an embodiment, the system includes a first electrodialysis (ED) stage and a second electrodialysis (ED) stage in series.