# US 2013/0153423 A1 · Apparatus and method for removal of ions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153423 A1 - Document ID: US20130153423A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/811,622 - Filed: 2011-07-22 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-23 - Assignees: Voltea B.V. - Inventors: Albert Van Der Wal; Hank Robert Reinhoudt; Pieter Maarten Biesheuvel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153423A1 ## CPC - C02F 1/4691: {Capacitive deionisation} - C02F 5/00: Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents (softening using ion-exchange C02F1/42) - C02F 2001/46119: {Cleaning the electrodes} - C02F 2001/46128: {Bipolar electrodes} - C02F 2001/46138: {Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating} - C02F 2001/46152: {characterised by the shape or form} - C02F 2001/46157: {Perforated or foraminous electrodes} - C02F 2103/023: {Water in cooling circuits} - C02F 2201/4613: Inversing polarity - C02F 2201/46135: Voltage - C02F 2201/4617: DC only - C02F 2303/16: Regeneration of sorbents, filters - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) ## Abstract An apparatus and a method to remove ions from water are provided. The apparatus has at least three electrodes: at least two master electrodes, each master electrode including a current collector connected or connectable to a power supply configured to create an electrical potential difference between at least two master electrodes and at least one floating electrode located between at least two master electrodes. The apparatus is constructed to provide a potential difference between at least two master electrodes and to allow water containing ions to flow from an inlet to an outlet between at least two adjacent electrodes. The ions in the water are attracted to the master and floating electrodes by the potential difference and the at least one floating electrode has an ion barrier layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus to remove ions from water, the apparatus comprising: a housing; an inlet to let water into the housing; an outlet to let water out of the housing; at least three electrodes in the housing, the electrodes comprising: at least two master electrodes, each master electrode comprising a current collector connected or connectable to a power supply configured to apply an electrical potential difference between at least two master electrodes; and at least one floating electrode located between at least two master electrodes, the apparatus constructed to provide a potential difference between at least two master electrodes and to allow water comprising ions to flow from the inlet to the outlet between at least two adjacent electrodes, wherein ions in the water are attracted to the master and floating electrodes by the potential difference and the at least one floating electrode comprises an ion barrier layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion barrier layer is constructed and arranged to prevent anions from moving from an anode side of the at least one floating electrode to a cathode side of the at least one floating electrode and cations from moving from the cathode side to the anode side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one floating electrode comprises a selective charge barrier configured to prevent particular ions inside the at least one floating electrode from leaving the at least one floating electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion barrier layer comprises a non-ion conductive layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the non-ion conductive layer is electrically conductive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion barrier layer and the current collector comprise the same material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion barrier layer is within the at least one floating electrode, extending through the at least one floating electrode substantially parallel to at least two master electrodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the ion barrier layer is in a range of 5-1000 micrometers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion barrier layer comprises insulating material extending outwardly from an edge of the at least one floating electrode in a longitudinal direction of the at least one floating electrode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the insulating material extends from the edge at least 0.5 mm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the insulating material provides a handling point configured to handle the at least one floating electrode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one electrode has a substantially sheet like shape having a hole therein. ### Claim 13 A method to remove ions, the method comprising: applying an electrical potential difference between at least two master electrodes in a housing, the housing having an inlet, an outlet and at least one floating electrode located between at least two adjacent master electrodes; allowing water to flow from the inlet to the outlet between at least two adjacent electrodes; preventing anions from moving from an anode side of the at least one floating electrode to a cathode side of the at least one floating electrode and cations from moving from the cathode side to the anode side; and removing ions in the water by attracting ions to the master and floating electrodes by the potential difference. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the preventing comprises using an ion barrier layer within the at least one floating electrode, extending through the at least one floating electrode substantially parallel to at least two master electrodes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the preventing comprises using an ion barrier layer or an insulating material, extending outwardly from an edge of the at least one floating electrode in a longitudinal direction of the at least one floating electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the insulating material extends from the edge at least 0.5 mm. ### Claim 17 A method to remove ions, the method comprising: applying an electrical potential difference between at least two master electrodes in a housing, the housing comprising an inlet, an outlet and at least floating electrode located between at least two master electrodes; limiting ions from moving from an anode side of the at least floating electrode to a cathode side of the at least one floating electrode, or vice versa, by using a thin layer of insulating material disposed to an edge of the at least one floating electrode, the thin layer extending in a longitudinal direction of the at least one floating electrode; and allowing water to flow from the inlet to the outlet between at least two adjacent electrodes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the thin layer of insulating material is provided on two sides of the at least one floating electrode. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein a thickness of the thin layer is less than or equal to 1000 micrometers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the substantially thin layer extends from the edge at least 0.5 mm.