Disclosed are microfluidic devices and systems for the desalination of water. The devices and systems can include an electrode configured to generate an electric field gradient in proximity to an intersection formed by the divergence of two microfluidic channels from an inlet channel. Under an applied bias and in the presence of a pressure driven flow of saltwater, the electric field gradient can preferentially direct ions in saltwater into one of the diverging microfluidic channels, while desalted water flows into second diverging channel. Also provided are methods of using the devices and systems described herein to decrease the salinity of water.

Methods and systems for the separation of isotopes from an aqueous stream are described as can be utilized in one embodiment to remove and recover tritium from contaminated water. Methods include counter-current flow of an aqueous stream on either side of a separation membrane. The separation membrane includes an isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and an ion conductive supporting layer (e.g., Nafion). An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane to enrich the flow in the isotopes.

A sequentially stacked multi-stage desalination system includes a single pair of electrodes, including an anode and a cathode; at least one ion concentration polarization device; and at least one electrodialysis device coupled with the ion concentration polarization device and configured to receive liquid flow from the ion concentration polarization device. Each ion concentration device and electrodialysis device is positioned between the anode and the cathode.

The present disclosure discloses an electrokinetic-based apparatus for filtering charged particles. The apparatus includes a main channel through which a fluid containing charged particles is injected and flows, a first electrode disposed to allow the flow of fluid inside the main channel, and an ion exchange membrane disposed downstream of the first electrode and having a plurality of pores through which the fluid from which the charged particles have been filtered is discharged.

Methods of sorption of various materials from an environment are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the materials include radioactive elements chlorates, perchlorates, organohalogens, and combinations thereof. Other embodiments pertain to methods of sorption of cationic radionuclides. Compositions produced by such methods are also disclosed herein. Embodiments of the methods may include contacting graphene oxides with the environment and sorption of the materials to the graphene oxides. In some embodiments, the sorption is relatively rapid in comparison to known sorbents; even in the presence of relatively higher concentrations of complexing agents. In some embodiments, the methods further include separating the graphene oxides that sorbed materials from the environment. Yet other embodiments may include desorbing the materials from the graphene oxides that sorbed the materials, and compositions therefrom.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for the concentration of slurry, especially mineral containing slurry. The invention provides a system comprising an electrophoresis unit and a separation unit, where the separation unit comprises a recipient, preferably of half cylindrical form, with adjusted flanks for separating the solid material or cake from the rotating anodes and a sliding carriage suitable for closing the recipient and stripping resting solid material from the flanks into the recipient before the solid material or cake is pressed out of the recipient by a piston.

An electrokinetic purification device includes at least three channels and a turbulence-reduction component for reducing turbulence with the concentration polarization (CP) zone. The main channel includes a pair of electrodes in contact with a solvent stream entering and exiting the main channel. A waste diversion channel branches from the main channel, allowing flow-through of a high concentration portion of the stream. A turbulence-reduction component comprised of a neutrally charged porous is placed across the entire interior cross section of the main channel and in contact with the upstream surface of the permselective material. The clean solvent discharge channel branches from the main channel, allowing flow-through of a low concentration portion of the stream.