Reverse Diffusion Desalination via Scrolling Electric Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desalination technologies face high capital and operating costs, inefficiencies, and limitations in accessing fresh water due to the high energy requirements and membrane fouling in reverse osmosis, and the dependency on solar energy in evaporation systems, making it difficult to provide potable water from seawater and brines.
Innovation Solution
A reverse diffusion system that uses an electrode panel with a scrolling electric charge pattern to move ions and charged particles across a hydrophobic material, minimizing energy input and avoiding direct contact with electrodes, allowing for continuous and efficient removal of ions from fluids, thereby reducing entropy and producing fresh water at low cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis is used for desalination, then fresh water can be produced from seawater, but high energy requirements and membrane fouling occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a hydrophobic membrane that repels water rather than allowing it to pass through. The scrolling electric charge pattern moves ions in the opposite direction of conventional desalination, pushing them along the membrane surface rather than forcing water through the membrane, thereby reducing energy consumption and preventing fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the high-pressure mechanical system of reverse osmosis with an electrical field-based system. Instead of using mechanical pressure to force water through membranes, the invention uses a scrolling electric charge pattern to move ions, substituting mechanical energy with electrical energy that operates at lower overall energy consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis membranes are used, then desalination can occur, but membrane fouling prevents continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water removal function from the membrane itself and places it in the bulk fluid phase. The hydrophobic membrane only provides the surface for ion movement, while water removal occurs through the scrolling electric field acting on the entire fluid volume, preventing fouling by keeping the membrane surface clean.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional membrane function by making the membrane hydrophobic (water-repelling) rather than hydrophilic (water-attracting). This inversion prevents water and dissolved substances from adhering to the membrane surface, eliminating fouling and enabling continuous operation without cleaning or replacement.
3Quantity of substance
If evaporation systems are used for desalination, then fresh water can be produced, but dependency on solar energy limits operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal evaporation systems with an electrical field-based ion transport system. Instead of using solar thermal energy to evaporate water, the invention uses electricity to directly move ions, enabling operation independent of solar cycles and providing continuous desalination regardless of time of day or weather conditions.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional desalination methods are used, then potable water can be produced, but high capital and operating costs prevent widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydrophobic membrane that does not require expensive materials or complex support structures. The membrane can be a simple, low-cost coating or layer that performs its function without needing to be durable or replaceable, significantly reducing capital costs compared to traditional reverse osmosis membranes.
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 and cost-effective desalination with minimal energy consumption, maintaining laminar flow and preventing fouling, offering a scalable and continuous process for producing fresh water from seawater and brines, with a lower rejection ratio of water compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The electrodes can be provided with an electric charge in an alternating pattern across the electrode panel so that the ions, ionic complex, ionic compounds, and/or charged particles are caused to move across the electrode panel from one side to another side.
Implementation Method 2
An energy efficient method has been found to reverse the process of diffusion thus decreasing the entropy of the salt water system
Implementation Method 3
The electrode panel may be made from a hydrophobic material
Implementation Method 4
If the fluid is dynamic, laminar flow can be maintained
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods described herein relate to use of a reverse diffusion system for removal of dissolved ions from a fluid, for example, salt ions. Specific embodiments include a system for desalinating salt water to produce potable water. The systems and methods can include pulsing low levels of electricity via electrodes in a scrolling pattern, so as to sweep the ions across a unit.