Electrochemical treatment of ion exchange material

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• (a) an anode and cathode electrode;
• (b) at least two regions adapted to contain ion exchange material, the regions being positioned between the electrodes;
• (c) at least a portion of the two regions being separated by a non-ion specific permeable interface;
• (d) means for supplying water in a nonparallel fashion through the electrode to the at least two regions;
• (e) means for applying an electric potential between the electrodes;
• and
• (f) means for removing ions, salts and water at the interface;
• wherein, in use, applying an electric potential causes generation of hydrogen ions at the anode and hydroxide ions at the cathode, which ions are caused to move through each region towards the oppositely-charged electrode and thereby displacing at least a portion of any anions or cations associated with the ion exchange material in each region such that the displaced anions and cations are also caused to move through the regions towards the oppositely charged electrode;
• and at least some of the anions and cations formed which reach the interface are removed by the flushing means.