Ion Concentration Polarization Purification Device with Mesh Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtration and reverse-osmosis methods face challenges in separating and concentrating specific monovalent ions, have low versatility due to various permeable membranes, and are not suitable for portable or industrial-scale water treatment due to limited water treatment capacity and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A purification device utilizing an ion concentration polarization phenomenon with a mesh part coated with an ion-selective layer, where an electric field induces an ion depletion zone, allowing for efficient separation and concentration of ions, and a purification system with serial or parallel arrangements to enhance water treatment capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If ion concentration polarization phenomenon is used for purification, then power efficiency is improved, but water treatment capacity is very small (several ten nL to several μL per minute)
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the flow path into multiple channels (injection channel, purification channel, discharge channel) with mesh parts positioned at strategic locations. This segmentation allows the ICP phenomenon to occur in controlled zones while maintaining overall high flow capacity, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and treatment capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses mesh parts with porous structures as electrodes. These porous mesh electrodes provide large surface area for ion selective coating while maintaining fluid permeability, enabling both efficient ICP phenomenon (power efficiency) and high flow rates (water treatment capacity) to coexist.
2Productivity
If filtration or reverse-osmosis methods are used, then water treatment capacity is improved, but separation and concentration adjustment of specific monovalent ions is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies ion-selective coating layers specifically on the mesh electrode surfaces where ICP phenomenon occurs. This local application of selectivity at the electrode interface enables specific monovalent ion separation while maintaining high overall water treatment capacity through the porous mesh structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by applying electric fields to induce ICP phenomenon, unlike conventional filtration or reverse osmosis. This parameter change (from pressure-driven to electric field-driven) enables selective ion concentration adjustment while maintaining high flow rates through the porous mesh electrodes.
3Measurement precision
If various types of permeable membranes are used for filtration, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity and price increase
Solution Approach 1:
The porous mesh electrodes serve multiple functions: they act as electrical conductors for applying electric fields, provide large surface area for ion-selective coating, maintain structural integrity, and allow fluid flow. This multi-functionality replaces multiple separate membrane components, reducing device complexity and price while maintaining separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining porous mesh materials with ion-selective coating layers. This composite approach integrates the conductive and structural properties of the mesh with the selective separation properties of the coating, achieving high separation performance with a single integrated component rather than multiple separate membranes.
4Productivity
If conventional purification devices are used, then water treatment capacity is sufficient, but device size is large and not suitable for portable use
Solution Approach 1:
The porous mesh electrodes enable high flow rates (several mL per minute) within a compact volume. The three-dimensional porous structure provides large surface area for ICP phenomenon without requiring large device dimensions, making the device suitable for portable applications while maintaining sufficient water treatment capacity.
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 device achieves a water treatment capacity of several mL per minute, improves power efficiency, and enables the use of portable purification systems, such as replacing large dialysis equipment for kidney disease patients, thereby improving the quality of life.
Implementation Method 1
when an electric field is applied, an ion concentration polarization (ICP) phenomenon occurs to the other end of the injection channel and to the adjacent portion of the mesh part, thereby forming an ion depletion zone
Data Source
AI summary
A purification device is provided. The purification device includes: an injection channel having an inlet provided on one end thereof; a purification channel and a discharge channel which branch off from the other end of the injection channel via a mesh part, and the remaining substance to be purified is discharged through the discharge channel; an ion-selective membrane contacting at least one side of the mesh part; and a buffer part arranged on the other side of the ion-selective membrane which is in contact with the mesh part, wherein the mesh part has an ion-selective coating layer formed on the surface thereof, and when an electric field is applied, an ion concentration polarization phenomenon occurs to the other end of the injection channel and to the adjacent portion of the mesh part, whereby an ion depletion zone is formed.