Deionization fuel cell system
AssigneeTechnion Research & Development Foundation Limited
InventorsMatthew SUSS, Shada ABU KHALLA, Yair KORENBLIT
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of deionization of a liquid including passing feedwater to be deionized through a deionization fuel cell system, which includes a deionization fuel cell (DFC), containing, inter alia, a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane and discharging the DFC to produce electricity and deionized liquid, wherein the method does not include a step of charging the fuel cell prior to or following the discharge step. Further provided are deionization fuel cell systems comprising a DFC comprising two or more membranes.
Claims34
A method of deionization of a liquid, the method comprising:
- passing feedwater to be deionized through a deionization fuel cell system comprising a deionization fuel cell (DFC) comprising
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- and
- at least:
- a first cation exchange membrane (CEM);
- and
- a first anion exchange membrane (AEM), and
- discharging the DFC to produce electricity and deionized liquid,
- wherein the method does not include a step of charging the fuel cell prior to or following the discharge step.
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A deionization fuel cell system, comprising:
- (a) a deionization fuel cell (DFC) comprising:
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- a catholyte flow channel;
- an anolyte flow channel, and
- at least:
- a first cation exchange membrane (CEM);
- a first anion exchange membrane (AEM), and
- a first feedwater flow channel, wherein:
- the catholyte flow channel is disposed adjacent to the cathode,
- the anolyte flow channel is disposed adjacent to the anode, and
- the first feedwater flow channel is formed between the first CEM and the first AEM and is configured for the deionization of feedwater,
- and
- (b) at least one of a catholyte tank and an anolyte tank, the catholyte tank being operatively connected to the catholyte flow channel and the anolyte tank being operatively connected to the anolyte flow channel, wherein the catholyte tank comprises a catholyte comprising an oxidant and/or its reduction reaction product;
- and/or the anolyte tank comprises an anolyte comprising a reductant and/or its oxidation reaction product, wherein said oxidant and/or said reductant is present in the catholyte and/or the anolyte in an amount configured to allow reduction of the total dissolved solids (TDS) content of the feedwater to below about 3000 parts-per-million (ppm), wherein the fuel cell operates entirely in a discharge mode.
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A deionization fuel cell system, comprising:
- (a) a deionization fuel cell (DFC) comprising:
- a cathode;
- an anode;
- a catholyte flow channel;
- an anolyte flow channel;
- a cation exchange membrane (CEM);
- an anion exchange membrane (AEM);
- and
- a feedwater flow channel,
- wherein:
- the catholyte flow channel is disposed between the cathode and the CEM,
- the anolyte flow channel is disposed between the anode and the AEM, and
- the feedwater flow channel is disposed between the CEM and the AEM,
- and
- (b) a catholyte tank being operatively connected to the catholyte flow channel and an anolyte tank being operatively connected to the anolyte flow channel, wherein
- the catholyte tank comprises a catholyte comprising an oxidant comprising hydronium ions, and
- the anolyte tank comprises an anolyte comprising a reductant comprising hydroxyl ions.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.