Method and apparatus for capacitive deionization, electrochemical purification, and regeneration of electrodes

A capacitive deionization-regeneration system comprising in combination:

• at least one electrochemical cell including:
• a. two oppositely disposed, spaced-apart end plates, one at each end of the cell;
• b. two generally identical single-sided end electrodes, one at each end of the cell, adjacent to said end plates;
• c. an insulator layer interposed between one of said end plates and an adjacent one of said end electrodes;
• d. an insulator layer interposed between the other end plate and the other one of said end electrodes;
• e. each single-sided electrode including a single sheet of conductive material having a high specific surface area and sorption capacity;
• and
• f. a plurality of generally identical double-sided intermediate electrodes being spaced-apart and equidistally separated from each other, between said two end electrodes;
• an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of the cell;
• a fluid circuit for regulating the flow of and electrolyte through the cell, under the control of the electrical circuit.

An electrostatic method for deionizing an electrolyte comprising the step of passing the electrolyte through an electrochemical cell including:

• a. two oppositely disposed, spaced-apart end plates, one at each end of the cell;
• b. two generally identical single-sided end electrodes, one at each end of the cell, adjacent to said end plates;
• c. an insulator layer interposed between one of said end plates and an adjacent one of said end electrodes;
• d. an insulator layer interposed between the other end plate and the other one of said end electrodes;
• e. each single-sided electrode including a single sheet of conductive material having a high specific surface area and sorption capacity;
• and
• f. a plurality of generally identical double-sided intermediate electrodes being spaced-apart and equidistally separated from each other, between said two end electrodes.

An electrochemical cell comprising in combination:

• a plurality of electrodes separated by a plurality of porous separators interposed between two adjacent electrodes;
• each one of said plurality of electrodes including a single sheet of conductive material having a high specific surface area and sorption capacity;
• each of said plurality of separators defining an open channel between two adjacent electrodes;
• and
• said plurality of electrodes separators being rolled spirally together, for allowing an electrolyte to flow in said open channel and to exit the cell with minimal flow resistance.