A deionization device for at least partially deionizing a feed liquid in which at least one electrolyte is dissolved, the device comprising:
- at least one process channel having a feed inlet configured for receiving the feed liquid, and a feed outlet configured for discharging the deionized feed liquid, such that the at least one process channel comprises a feed liquid flow;
- at least one collector channel configured for collecting anions and cations separated from the feed liquid;
- an electrolyte outlet configured for discharging the collected anions and cations;
- at least one channel electrode, at least one separating electrode, and at least one collector electrode,
- wherein the at least one channel electrode and the at least one separating electrode are placed at opposite sides of the at least one process channel, and wherein the at least one separating electrode and the at least one collector electrode are placed at opposite sides of the at least one collector channell;
- and
- a field generator configured to generate a first electrical field and a second electrical field,
- wherein the first electrical field is generated between the at least one channel electrode and the at least one separating electrode, and the second electrical field is generated between the at least one separating electrode and the at least one collector electrode,
- wherein the first and second electrical fields are configured to generate an ion flow from the at least one process channel to the at least one collector channel, and wherein the ion flow direction is the same for anions and cations, and
- wherein the field generator is an electrical generator comprising an electrical power source and an electrical control circuit,
- wherein the electrical control circuit is configured to control the first electrical field and second electrical field, and to switch at least one of polarity, strength, or direction of at least one of the first and second electrical fields, and
- wherein the electrical control circuit is configured to sequentially cycle through four phases:
- a first phase, wherein the first and second electrical fields are adapted for driving ions of a first charge from the at least one process channel towards adsorption at the at least one separating electrode,
- a second phase, wherein the first and second electrical fields are adapted for driving ions of the opposite charge from the at least one process channel and towards adsorption at the at least one separating electrode,
- a third phase, wherein the first and second electrical fields are adapted for driving ions of the first charge adsorbed at the at least one separating electrode towards the at least one collector channel, and
- a fourth phase, wherein the first and second electrical fields are adapted for driving the ions of the opposite charge adsorbed at the at least one separating electrode towards the at least one collector channel.