Deionization and desalination using electrostatic ion pumping

Patent · Tue Jul 19 00:00:00 EDT 2011

OSTI ID:1019422

Bourcier, William L ^[1]; Aines, Roger D ^[1]; Haslam, Jeffery J ^[1]; Schaldach, Charlene M ^[2]; O'Brien, Kevin C ^[3]; Cussler, Edward ^[4]

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1. Livermore, CA
2. Pleasanton, CA
3. San Ramon, CA
4. Edina, MN

The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are "ratcheted" across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
• Patent Number(s): 7,981,268
• Application Number: US Patent Application 11/655,423
• OSTI ID: 1019422
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY