Flow-electrode Cartridge for Capacitive Deionization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-electrode capacitive deionization technologies face challenges in scaling up while maintaining efficiency, due to non-uniform electric field distribution, limited active material contact area, and increased device costs, particularly in water treatment processes.
Innovation Solution
A flow-electrode cartridge unit and submerged flow-electrode capacitive deionization device design featuring porous current collector plates, ion separation membranes, and a channel frame configuration that maximizes contact area and simplifies structure, allowing for easy replacement and management of anode and cathode units, with standardized communication holes and electrode terminals for efficient ion removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrode area is increased for scale-up, then treatment capacity is improved, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular unit cells that can be stacked together. Each unit cell contains a complete set of electrodes, membranes, and flow channels, allowing the system to be scaled by simply adding more modules rather than increasing the complexity of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components are nested within each unit cell structure. The flow channels are integrated within the electrode assemblies, and membranes are positioned between electrode layers, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes treatment capacity within limited space.
2Productivity
If electrode area is increased for scale-up, then treatment capacity is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a planar electrode arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple unit cells are arranged vertically, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase total electrode area and treatment capacity without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint of the installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are arranged in a compact nested structure where flow channels, electrodes, and membranes are integrated within each unit cell layer, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and reducing overall installation space.
3Device complexity
If thin film electrode coating is used, then device structure is simplified, but contact area between active material and electrolyte is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes utilize porous structures that provide high surface area within a compact volume. The porous matrix increases the contact area between active material and electrolyte while maintaining a thin overall electrode structure, resolving the contradiction between simplified device structure and adequate contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure incorporates regions with different porosity and material properties optimized for specific functions. The porous structure provides high surface area for ion exchange, while conductive regions ensure electrical connectivity, allowing the thin film to achieve both structural simplicity and adequate contact area.
4Stability of the object's composition
If binder is added in coating process, then electrode structure is stabilized, but charging/discharging efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The porous electrode structure provides inherent mechanical stability through its three-dimensional network, reducing or eliminating the need for binder materials. The porous matrix itself maintains structural integrity while providing direct contact between active material particles and electrolyte, preserving charging/discharging efficiency.
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 design enhances treatment capacity, reduces installation space, and improves process performance by maximizing contact areas between electrodes and influent water, while facilitating modular maintenance and reducing operational costs through efficient ion removal.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of ion separation membranes positioned on respective outer surfaces of the porous current collector plates
Implementation Method 2
a pair of porous current collector plates arranged to face each other in a spaced apart state from each other in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
an electrode terminal formed in the channel frame and electrically connected to the porous current collector plates
Data Source
AI summary
A flow-electrode cartridge unit and a submerged flow-electrode capacitive deionization device using the same are proposed. The flow-electrode cartridge unit includes a pair of porous current collector plates arranged to face each other in a spaced apart state from each other in a first direction, a pair of ion separation membranes positioned on respective outer surfaces of the porous current collector plates in the first direction, a channel frame for wrapping around the pair of porous current collector plates and the pair of ion separation membranes to expose each of the ion separation membranes in the first direction, thereby forming a flow electrode channel between the pair of porous current collector plates, a pair of communication holes formed in the channel frame and communicating the flow electrode channel to an outside, and an electrode terminal formed in the channel frame and electrically connected to the porous current collector plates.