Adsorption onto charcoal cloth

A method of separating at least two constituents in a first ionically conducting medium which comprises:

• a. bringing the medium into contact with a working electrode consisting essentially of charcoal cloth composed of activated fibrous or filamental carbon having a surface area, as measured by nitrogen adsorption by the method of Brunnauer/Emmett/Teller, of above 600 m.sup.2 gm.sup.-1 ;
• b. applying a d.c. electric potential to the working electrode, with respect to the medium, so that at least one of the constituents is adsorbed on the working electrode;
• c. removing the first ionically conducting medium;
• d. contacting the working electrode with a second ionically conducting medium;
• and
• e. applying an electric potential to the working electrode with respect to the second medium, so that at least one of the constituents adsorbed on the cloth is released into the medium.

An apparatus for adsorbing at least one constituent from an ionically conducting medium and for separating at least two constituents in an ionically conducting medium which comprises:

• a. an electrochemical cell, having a cell chamber, a fluid inlet pipe leading into the chamber and a fluid outlet pipe leading out of the chamber;
• b. positioned consecutively across the chamber, a counter electrode, a porous diaphragm and a working electrode, consisting essentially of charcoal cloth composed of activated fibrous or filamental carbon having a surface area, as measured by nitrogen adsorption by the method of Brunnauer/Emmett/Teller, of above 600 m.sup.2 gm.sup.-1 ;
• c. means for applying a d.c. potential to the working electrode;
• and
• d. means for varying the potential applied to the working electrode.