Electrodialysis apparatus and method of electrodialysis employing same

• US 4,600,487 A
• Filed: 07/02/1984
• Issued: 07/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald A. Dahlgren
• Original Assignee: Donald A. Dahlgren
• Inventors: Dahlgren, Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/627,205
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 204/301, 204/180 P, 204/151, 204/402, 204/403, 204/415, 204/182.4, 204/182.5, 204/182.6, 210/321.2, 210/650
• US Class Current: 204/522
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/02 Rotation or turning
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/44 Ion-selective electrodialysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/52 Accessories; Auxiliary operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/56 Polyamides, e.g. polyester-amides

Abstract

An electrodialyzer and method and concentrate made thereby includes a probe for disposition in a colloidal solution contained within a vessel. The probe is longitudinally divided into cation and anion concentrate chambers having a cathode and anode respectively therein. Application of an electromotive force to the cathode and anode causes electromigratory movement of electrolytes through the cation and anion membranes for deriving a concentrate within a solvent contained within the cation and anion concentrate chambers.

Claims

1. An electrodialysis method for concentrating electrolytes from a colloidal solution comprising the steps of:

providing a probe having anionic and cationic chambers thereof, said anionic and cationic chambers being separated by an impermeable longitudinal portion in said probe, said anionic and cationic chambers further having a respective negative and positive electrode disposed therein;

subtending an associated aperture to said anionic and cationic chambers of said probe with anionic and cationic semipermeable membranes respectively;

disposing said probe within said colloidal solution; and

applying an electromotive force to said negative and positive electrodes from a means for providing said electromotive force whereby dilution of said electrolytes in said colloidal solution is effectuated with a concurrent concentration of said electrolytes in a solvent contained within said anionic and cationic chambers by electromigratory passage of said electrolytes through said anionic and cationic membranes.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

stirring said colloidal solution by means of a magnetic stirrer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said probe comprises an extruded plastic tube.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said cationic membrane comprises a cationic coated nylon mesh and said anionic membrane comprises an anionic coated nylon mesh.

5. An electrodialyzer for disposition within a vessel containing a colloidal solution, said electrodialyzer comprising:

a probe having anionic and cationic chambers thereof, said anionic and cationic chambers being separated by an impermeable longitudinal partition of said probe, said anionic and cationic chambers further having respective negative and positive electrodes disposed therein; and

anionic and cationic semi-permeable membranes subtending an associated aperture in said probe to said anionic and cationic chambers respectively, said anionic and cationic membranes providing electromigratory communication for electrolytes in said colloidal solution with said anionic and cationic chambers respectively,

whereby dilution of said electrolytes in said colloidal solution may be effectuated with concurrent concentration of said electrolytes in a solvent contained contained within said anionic and cationic chambers by application of an electromotive force to said negative and positive electrodes from a means for providing said electromotive force.

6. The electrodialyzer of claim 5 wherein said probe comprises an extruded plastic tube.

7. The electrodialyzer of claim 6 wherein said extruded plastic tube is polycarbonate.

8. The electrodialyzer of claim 5, wherein said cationic membrane comprises a cationic coated nylon mesh and said anionic membrane comprises an anionic coated nylon mesh.

9. The electrodialyzer of claim 8 wherein said nylon mesh is "CEREX".

10. The electrodialyzer of claim 5, wherein said negative and positive electrodes are platinum.