Apparatus for the continuous electrochemical desalination of aqueous solutions

An apparatus for the continuous electrochemical desalinization of aqueous solutions by use of direct current, said apparatus comprising:

• a central electrode;
• an anion exchanger membrane having opposite inner and outer ends;
• a cation exchanger membrane having opposite inner and outer ends;
• said anion and cation exchanger membranes being wound spirally about said central electrode, with said membranes defining therebetween separate dilution and concentrate chambers extending spirally from said central electrode, each said chamber having opposite inner and outer ends;
• an outer counterelectrode concentrically encasing said wound membranes and said chambers;
• said central electrode having an inner connecting device sealingly connected to said inner ends of said membranes such that said inner end of said dilution chamber is tightly sealed from said concentrate chamber and from said central electrode and such that said inner end of said concentrate chamber is open to and not sealed from said central electrode;
• said counterelectrode having an outer connecting device sealingly connected to said outer ends of said membranes such that said outer end of said dilution chamber is tightly sealed from said concentrate chamber and from said counterelectrode and such that said outer end of said concentrate chamber is open to and not sealed from said counterelectrode;
• said dilution chamber having at one said end thereof a distribution member for input of a solution to be treated and at the opposite end thereof a removal member for output of desalinated water;
• said concentrate chamber having at one said end thereof a distribution member for concentrate input and at the opposite end thereof a removal member for concentrate output;
• each said chamber having therein at least one of a spacer and an ion exchange resin;
• and
• said chambers being sealed at opposite lateral edges thereof.