Flow-Through Deionization Cell Bead Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing electrolytic cells for flow-through continuous deionization (FT-CDI), the concentration of valuable metals is gradually reduced due to electrolysis, and the concentrate and bead are not well dispersed, leading to uneven concentration.
Innovation Solution
The electrolytic cell design includes an anode and cathode electrolyte receiving plates with injection and discharge ports, bead and concentrate receiving plates with mesh structures, and diaphragms to alternately stack and disperse the bead and concentrate, ensuring uniform distribution and preventing concentration degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If electrolysis is performed to concentrate valuable metals, then metal recovery is improved, but the concentration of the bead is gradually reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic cell is divided into multiple compartments (anode chamber, cathode chamber, concentrate chamber) separated by membranes. This segmentation allows different functions to occur in different zones: electrolysis in electrode chambers and concentration in the concentrate chamber, preventing concentration degradation while maintaining metal recovery
Solution Approach 2:
Ion-exchange membranes act as intermediaries between chambers. The cation-exchange membrane selectively transports metal ions from the bead to the concentrate chamber while preventing other substances from passing through, thus concentrating valuable metals without degrading the bead's concentration
2Quantity of substance
If concentrate and bead are processed in the electrolytic cell, then metal recovery is improved, but the concentrate and bead are not dispersed well and are concentrated only at one spot
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the electrolytic cell are designed with different properties: the anode chamber contains anode material and electrolyte, the cathode chamber contains cathode material and electrolyte, and the concentrate chamber receives the concentrate and bead mixture. Each region performs its specific function to ensure uniform dispersion and concentration distribution throughout the system
Solution Approach 2:
The cell design adds spatial dimensions for flow distribution. Multiple inlet and outlet ports are positioned at different locations to create multi-directional flow patterns, ensuring that concentrate and bead are dispersed uniformly across the entire processing area rather than concentrating at a single spot
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 effectively disperses the bead and concentrate, maintaining concentration levels and preventing degradation, thereby enhancing the recovery of valuable metals through improved ion detachment and attachment phenomena.
Implementation Method 1
valuable metals are cation and therefore, is concentrated in the concentrate by passing through a cation exchange membrane
Implementation Method 2
hydrogen ions generated due to water decomposition are attached to the bead from which ions are separated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell for an FT-CDI including: an injection port into which a bead and a concentrate are injected and a discharge port through which the bead and the concentrate are discharged to circulate the bead, thereby preventing the concentration of the bead from being degraded and disposes a mesh at a place in which the concentrate and the bead are received to disperse the concentrate and the bead well.