Supercapacitor Desalination for Solid Electrolyte Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing solid electrolyte from saline water, such as evaporation processes, are energy-intensive due to the high water content in saline waters, necessitating a more efficient approach.

Innovation Solution

A supercapacitor desalination system that operates in charging and discharging modes to concentrate electrolytes from saline water, using electrodes with high surface areas to adsorb and desorb ions, followed by crystallization and separation to produce solid electrolyte, reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If evaporation process is used to remove water from saline water, then solid electrolyte can be obtained, but energy consumption is huge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of water removal from thermal evaporation to electrochemical desalination. The supercapacitor device uses electrical potential to drive ion migration and water removal, transforming the energy input mechanism from thermal to electrical, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal evaporation system with an electrochemical system based on supercapacitor technology. The mechanical/thermal process of heating and evaporating water is substituted by electrical field-driven ion migration and electrochemical reactions, achieving the same water removal goal with lower energy input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If evaporation process is used to remove water from saline water, then solid electrolyte can be obtained, but the process is energy-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the water removal process into two distinct stages: (1) bulk water removal through electrochemical desalination in the supercapacitor device, and (2) final water removal through evaporation of the concentrated brine. This segmentation allows the majority of water to be removed by the more energy-efficient electrochemical process, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supercapacitor device operates in periodic charging and discharging cycles. During charging, ions are migrated to electrodes and water is removed; during discharging, the stored energy is released. This periodic operation allows for efficient batch processing of large volumes of saline water, reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous evaporation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 method effectively reduces energy consumption by concentrating electrolytes and precipitating solid electrolyte, offering a more efficient and potentially cost-effective process for producing solid electrolyte from saline water.

Implementation Method 1

adsorbing dissolved electrolyte ions from a feed liquid using a supercapacitor desalination unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

desorbing ions from the supercapacitor desalination unit into a concentrated liquid during a discharge step

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

passing the concentrated liquid into a crystallization device for precipitating the dissolved electrolyte ions of the concentrated liquid as a solid electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS8636889B2Solid electrolyte producing assembly and method

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 BL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A solid electrolyte producing system includes a supercapacitor desalination device comprising a power supply and a supercapacitor desalination unit. The supercapacitor desalination unit includes a pair of electrodes electrically coupled to the power supply and operable in a charging mode of operation and a discharging mode of operation. A feeding source is configured to provide a feed liquid to the supercapacitor desalination unit when the supercapacitor desalination unit is in the charging mode of operation. The feed liquid comprises at least one determined electrolyte. A crystallization device is providing for receiving a concentrated liquid from the supercapacitor desalination device in the discharging mode of operation, the concentrated liquid being a saturated liquid or supersaturated liquid of the at least one determined type of electrolyte. The at least one determined type of electrolyte precipitates in the crystallization device as solid electrolyte. The system further comprises a separation device for separating the solid electrolyte from the liquid of the crystallization device as a solid electrolyte product.