Apparatus and process for separation and selective recomposition of ions

An apparatus for separation and selective recomposition of ions, comprising in combination:

• a) a first ion repulsion cell through which a first electrolyte solution can pass, the first ion repulsion cell comprising an insulated container;
• b) a first electrode secured inside the first ion repulsion cell;
• c) a first flow path means hydraulically connecting the first ion repulsion cell to a first ion sink, a second flow path means hydraulically connecting the first ion repulsion cell to a second ion sink, each of the first and second ion sinks comprising an insulated container made from nonconductive material and having a corrosion-resistant, metallic reference electrode secured inside, wherein each of the first and second flow path means includes a flow cutoff valve for selectively opening and closing the flow path means and an ion selective membrane for selectively facilitating flow of ions from the first ion repulsion cell to the ion sinks while preventing the reverse flow of ions from the ion sinks to the first ion repulsion cell;
• d) a second ion repulsion cell through which a second electrolyte solution can pass, the second ion repulsion cell comprising an insulated container;
• e) a second electrode secured inside the second ion repulsion cell;
• f) a third flow path means hydraulically connecting the second ion repulsion cell to the first ion sink, a fourth flow path means hydraulically connecting the second ion repulsion cell to the second ion sink, wherein each of the third and fourth flow path means includes a flow cutoff valve for selectively opening and closing the flow path means and an ion selective membrane for selectively facilitating flow of ions from the second ion repulsion cell to the ion sinks while preventing the reverse flow of ions from the ion sinks to the second ion repulsion cell;
• g) an electric current supply source for connecting to and controlling the polarities of the first and second electrodes inside the first and second ion repulsion cells, wherein the electric current supply source is also connected to the reference electrodes inside the first and second ion sinks;
• and
• h) a control device connected to the electric current supply source and to each of the flow cutoff valves for sensing the potential difference between the first and second electrodes and their adjacent liquids inside the first and second ion repulsion cells and based on the sensed potential difference, opening or closing the flow cutoff valves to regulate the flow of ions from the ion repulsion cells to the ion sinks.