Microscale capacitive deionization apparatus

• US 20080023333A1
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vecenergy Aegir, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vecenergy Aegir, LLC
• Inventors: Johnson, Brendan
• Granted Patent: US 8,377,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/554
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4691 Capacitive deionisation

Abstract

The present device is a microchannel separator that uses a separation driving force created by an electric field. An ionic fluid flows through the microchannels and is subjected to an electric field by two spaced apart parallel electrodes possessing an electric charge. The ions in the ionic fluid are attracted towards the charged electrodes and thus are concentrated in the region of flow near the charged electrodes and depleted from the central region of flow between the charged electrodes. The charged electrodes are insulated from the ionic fluid by an impermeable barrier which prevents arcing and adherence of the ions to the charged electrodes. After a sufficient length of passage of the ionic fluid through a main channel two blocking plates separate the flow into a central and two outer output channels. The central channel draws a portion of the ionic fluid from the central region of the main channel that has fewer ions than the ionic fluid in the regions near the charged electrodes. The concentrated ionic fluid in the outer channels is discharged separately from the central channel.

Claims

1. A continuous flow apparatus for deionizing a fluid comprising:

a plurality of channels defined between a plurality of spaced apart electrodes, said channels including a deionized fluid channel and a plurality of concentrated ion fluid channels, each said concentrated ion fluid channel positioned adjacent one of said electrodes;

a nonconductive, impermeable barrier positioned between said concentrated ion fluid channel and said electrode, said nonconductive, impermeable barrier being constructed and arranges to prevent ions separated from said fluid by said electrode from contacting said electrode;

an inlet supplying said fluid to be deionized to said apparatus;

an outlet for deionized fluid and

an outlet for concentrated fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said deionized fluid channel is positioned between said plurality of concentrated ion fluid channels.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a device for providing at least 500 volts to said electrodes.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including a device for providing at least 2500 volts to said electrodes.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance between said electrodes is not greater than 700 microns.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of substantially similar plates positioned adjacent to each other in a substantially parallel relationship;

said deionized fluid channel and said concentrated ion fluid channels are formed in said plates.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of individual units are connected to each other in a parallel relationship.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said plurality of individual connected in parallel are connected to each other in a series relationship.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of individual units are connected to each other in a series relationship.

10. The method of deionizing a fluid comprising:

providing a plurality of channels defined between a plurality of spaced apart electrodes, said channels including a deionized fluid channel and a plurality of concentrated ion fluid channels, each said concentrated ion fluid channel being positioned adjacent one of said electrodes;

providing a nonconductive, impermeable barrier between said concentrated ion fluid channel and said electrode, said nonconductive, impermeable barrier preventing ions separated from said fluid from contacting and fouling said electrode;

providing an electrical potential to said electrodes;

supplying said fluid to be deionized through an inlet to said channels;

removing deionized fluid through an outlet; and

removing ion concentrated fluid through at least one outlet, whereby said ions are attracted toward said electrodes and removed from said deionized fluid channel.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said fluid continuously flows through the device from said inlet to said outlets.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said fluid is deionized by a plurality of individual units connected in a parallel relationship.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said fluid is deionized by a plurality of individual units connected in a series relationship.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said fluid is water.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said fluid is blood.

16. Deionized fluid produced by the process of:

providing a plurality of channels defined between a plurality of spaced apart electrodes, said channels including a deionized fluid channel and a plurality of concentrated ion fluid channels, each said concentrated ion fluid channel being positioned adjacent one of said electrodes;

providing a nonconductive, impermeable barrier between said concentrated ion fluid channel and said electrode, said nonconductive, impermeable barrier preventing ions separated from said fluid from contacting said electrode;

providing an electrical potential to said electrodes;

supplying said fluid to be deionized through an inlet to said channels;

removing deionized fluid through an outlet; and

removing ion concentrated fluid through at least one outlet, whereby said ions are attracted toward said electrodes and removed from said deionized fluid channel.

17. The product of claim 16 wherein said fluid continuously flows through the device from said inlet to said outlets.

18. The product of claim 16 wherein said deionized fluid is water.

19. The product of claim 16 wherein said deionized fluid is blood.