Electrochemical separation modules

• US 8,741,121 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2011
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Liang, Li-Shiang, Yeo, Keng Hoo, Salvo, Lawrence J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hendricks, Keith
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jain, Salil
• Application Number:
  US13/294,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20120118744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 204518-520, 204522-525, 204/627, 204/63, 204632-636, 204/638, 204/639
• US Class Current: 204/634
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/10 Cross-flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/463 comprising the membrane sequence AC or CA, where C is a cation exchange membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/48 having one or more compartments filled with ion-exchange material , e.g. electrodeionisation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/50 Stacks of the plate-and-frame type
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4693 electrodialysis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4695 electrodeionisation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46 Apparatus for electrochemical processes
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/00 Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/19 with diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/70 Assemblies comprising two or more cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/02 for manufacturing cores, coils, or magnets H01F41/14 takes precedence; for dynamo-electric machines H02K15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/124 Water desalination
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

An electrochemical separation system may be modular and may include at least a first modular unit and a second modular unit. Each modular unit may include a cell stack and a frame. The frame may include a manifold system. A flow distribution system in the frame may enhance current efficiency. Spacers positioned between modular units may also enhance current efficiency of the system.

Claims

1. An electrochemical separation modular unit, comprising:

a cell stack defining a plurality of alternating depleting compartments and concentrating compartments; and

a frame surrounding the cell stack and including a manifold system configured to facilitate fluid flow through the cell stack;

wherein the frame includes a flow distribution system comprising an insert and a recess defined by the frame, the frame configured to receive the insert; and

wherein the insert has a first side proximate the cell stack, and a second side opposite the first side, and the insert comprises a plurality of ports on at least one of the first and second sides, each port on the first side of the insert being oriented substantially perpendicular to ion exchange membranes of the cell stack, and each port on the second side of the insert being oriented substantially parallel to ion exchange membranes of the cell stack.

2. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to maintain vertical alignment of the cell stack.

3. The modular unit of claim 2, wherein the manifold system is in fluid communication with an inlet of each depleting compartment and with an inlet of each concentrating compartment.

4. The modular unit of claim 3, wherein the manifold system is further in fluid communication with an outlet of each depleting compartment and with an outlet of each concentrating compartment.

5. The modular unit of claim 3, wherein the frame includes a flow distribution system in fluid communication with the manifold system.

6. The modular unit of claim 5, wherein the flow distribution system is in fluid communication with an inlet of each depleting compartment and with an inlet of each concentrating compartment.

7. The modular unit of claim 5, wherein the flow distribution system comprises at least one bypass path configured to reduce current loss.

8. The modular unit of claim 6, wherein the flow distribution system comprises a plurality of first fluid passages oriented in a first direction.

9. The modular unit of claim 8, wherein the flow distribution system further comprises a plurality of second fluid passages oriented in a second direction.

10. The modular unit of claim 9, wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular.

11. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein the insert defines a lattice structure configured to promote uniform flow distribution to the cell stack.

12. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein at least one port on the first side is in fluid communication with two or more compartments of the cell stack.

13. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ports on the first side are staggered.

14. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein the cell stack is constructed and arranged to achieve at least about 85% fluid contact with respect to surface area of ion exchange membranes defining the cell stack.

15. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the depleting compartments and concentrating compartments comprises a blocking spacer or flow redistributor.

16. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein the cell stack is configured such that a direction of flow through the depleting compartments is different than a direction of flow through the concentrating compartments.

17. The modular unit of claim 1, wherein the cell stack is configured such that the direction of flow through the depleting compartment is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow through the concentrating compartments.