Gate-all-around and multi-gate ion concentration polarization for desalination
OwnerMohammad Najmzadehinventor
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Abstract
A desalination apparatus comprises a fluid pathway having an inlet configured to receive salt water. A part of microfluidic channel is fluidly connected to the fluid pathway. At least one ion exchange membrane (IEM) gate is positioned in a Gate-All-Around (GAA) or a Multi-Gate (MG) configuration around the gated region of the microfluidic channel. At least first and second outlets of the fluid pathway are provided, wherein the GAA or MG ion exchange membrane is positioned between the first outlet and the inlet, wherein dilute of the salt water is expelled through the first outlet and concentrated brine of the salt water is expelled through the second outlet.
Claims20
A desalination apparatus comprising:
- a fluid pathway having an inlet configured to receive salt water;
- a microfluidic channel fluidly connected to the fluid pathway;
- at least one ion exchange membrane positioned in a Gate-All-Around (GAA) or a Multi-Gate (MG) configuration around a gated region of microfluidic channel;
- and
- at least first and second outlets of the fluid pathway, wherein the GAA or MG ion exchange membrane is positioned between the first outlet and the inlet, wherein dilute of the salt water is expelled through the first outlet and concentrated brine of the salt water is expelled through the second outlet.
A multi-stage desalination system comprising:
- a first desalination apparatus in fluid communication with a second desalination apparatus, each of the first desalination apparatus and second desalination apparatus having:
- a fluid pathway having an inlet configured to receive salt water;
- a microfluidic channel fluidly connected to the fluid pathway;
- at least one ion exchange membrane positioned in a Gate-All-Around (GAA) or a Multi-Gate (MG) configuration around a gated region of microfluidic channel;
- and
- at least first and second outlets of the fluid pathway, wherein the GAA or MG ion exchange membrane is positioned between the first outlet and the inlet, wherein dilute of the salt water is expelled through the first outlet and concentrated brine of the salt water is expelled through the second outlet.
A method of desalination comprising:
- receiving salt water in an inlet of a fluid pathway;
- separating ions in the salt water at a microfluidic channel fluidly connected to the fluid pathway with at least one ion exchange membrane positioned in a Gate-All-Around (GAA) or a Multi-Gate (MG) configuration around a gated region of microfluidic channel;
- expelling dilute of the salt water through a first outlet, wherein the GAA or MG ion exchange membrane is positioned between the first outlet and the inlet;
- and
- expelling concentrated brine of the salt water through a second outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.