US 7,780,833 B2 · Electrochemical ion exchange with textured membranes and cartridge

Abstract

An electrochemical cell 102 comprises an ion exchange membrane 10 having anion and cation exchange materials. The membrane 10 can have separate anion and cation exchange layers 12, 14 that define a heterogeneous water-splitting interface therebetween. In one version, the membrane 10 has a textured surface having a pattern of texture features 26 comprising spaced apart peaks 28 and valleys 30. The membranes 10 can also have an integral spacer 80. A cartridge 100 can be fabricated with a plurality of the membranes 10 for insertion in a housing 129 of the electrochemical cell 102. The housing 129 can also have a detachable lid 96 that fits on the cartridge 100. The electrochemical cell 102 can be part of an ion controlling apparatus 120.

Claims53

Dependent claims

An electrochemical cell comprising:

(a) a housing comprising a vessel having a solution inlet and a solution outlet, and a detachable lid;
(b) a cartridge in the vessel, the cartridge comprising a plurality of textured bipolar ion exchange membranes abutting one another, each membrane having:
(i) an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer to form a heterogeneous water-splitting interface therebetween, the heterogeneous water-splitting interface comprising continuous contact between the anion exchange layer and the cation exchange layer;
and
(ii) an exposed textured surface having a pattern of texture features comprising spaced apart peaks and valleys;
and
(c) first and second electrodes about the cartridge.

4 more elements

A method of manufacturing a cartridge for an ion exchange electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

(a) forming a plurality of textured bipolar ion exchange membranes, each membrane having (i) anion and cation ion exchange materials arranged to form a heterogeneous water-splitting interface comprising continuous contact between the anion exchange material and the cation exchange material, and (ii) an exposed textured surface having a pattern of texture features comprising peaks and valleys which are spaced apart from one another;
(b) forming an offset membrane stack of the textured membranes by laying the membranes on top of one another so that the top ends of the membranes are offset from one another in the same direction, and attaching the top ends of the offset membranes to one another;
(c) providing a core tube and winding the offset membrane stack around the core tube to form a cartridge roll;
(d) wrapping an outer sleeve around the cartridge roll to overlap itself;
and
(e) applying top and bottom end caps on the cartridge roll.

3 more elements

A method of forming an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

(a) providing a housing having a solution inlet and a solution outlet;
(b) forming a cartridge by:
(1) forming a membrane stack by laying textured bipolar ion exchange membranes on top of one another so that the top ends of the membranes are offset from one another in the same direction, and attaching the top ends of the offset membranes to one another, each textured bipolar ion exchange membrane having an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer to form (i) a heterogeneous water-splitting interface comprising continuous contact between the anion exchange layer and the cation exchange layer, and (ii) an exposed textured surface;
(2) providing a core tube and winding the offset membrane stack around the core tube to form a cartridge roll;
and
(3) applying top and bottom end caps on the ends of the cartridge roll;
and
(c) positioning the cartridge roll within the housing so that the core tube is fluidly connected to the solution outlet of the housing.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrochemical ion exchange with textured membranes and cartridge

Life of this patent

Electrochemical ion exchange with textured membranes and cartridge

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims53