ESIX Electrode Coupled with Hydrogen Evolution for Chloride Removal

The patent replaces chemical precipitation method with electrochemical coupling method. The electrochemical system uses electrical energy to drive ion exchange and flocculation processes, eliminating the need for chemical reagents and achieving both sulfate and chloride ion removal simultaneously. This substitution of chemical process with electrochemical process resolves the contradiction by enabling effective chloride removal while reducing maintenance costs associated with chemical agent handling and disposal.

The patent changes the treatment parameters from chemical concentration-based to electrochemical potential-based control. By adjusting electrode potentials and electrical current, the system achieves selective removal of different ions (sulfate and chloride) through controlled electrochemical reactions. This parameter change enables effective chloride ion removal without requiring high concentrations of chemical precipitants, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex membrane components from the electrolytic electrodialysis process. Instead of using expensive cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes, the invention employs a simplified electrochemical cell with electrode materials that facilitate ion exchange through electrochemical reactions. This extraction of membrane components significantly reduces process complexity and operational costs while maintaining effective chloride ion separation.

The patent replaces expensive, durable membranes with more economical electrode materials that can be easily replaced or regenerated. The electrochemical electrodes, which may be made from inexpensive metals or coated materials, serve the function of ion exchange without requiring the high-cost membranes of traditional electrodialysis. This substitution reduces both initial investment and operational expenses.

The patent merges multiple functions into a single electrochemical coupling system. The system simultaneously achieves chloride ion removal, hydrogen gas production, and sulfate removal through integrated electrochemical reactions at the electrodes. This combination of functions in one process reduces the total energy consumption compared to separate treatment steps, while also eliminating the need for expensive ion diaphragms that would be required in traditional diaphragm electrolysis.

The patent converts the harmful effect of high chloride ion concentration into a beneficial process. Instead of merely removing chloride ions through energy-intensive electrolysis, the system uses the chloride ions as reactants to produce hydrogen gas and other valuable byproducts. This transformation of waste chloride ions into useful products reduces energy consumption by utilizing the chemical energy stored in the chloride ions rather than requiring external energy input for simple separation.