Methods for improving ion flux and energy efficiency in a membrane stack of an electrodialysis unit wherein the membrane stack is disposed between an anode and a cathode each in an electrolyte of a selected concentration. Methods include increasing the concentration of the electrolyte, adding a strong base to the electrolyte and adding buffering anions to the electrolyte. Methods for cleaning the electrodes of such a unit involving involve applying a pulsed polarity reversal to the electrodes. Also provided are methods for improving unit operation by increasing the basicity of the electrolyte to the anode and increasing the acidity of the electrolyte to the cathode or alternatively or in addition, by applying heat to increase the operating temperature of at least one of the electrolyte and the treated water stream.

Device for concentration of bioparticles for identification comprises one or more capillary flow paths from at least one inlet for advection along the path of bioparticles in a buffer solution, two or more membranes along the flow path, the membranes being individually selectable for electrical powering, thereby to controllably set up a powered membrane region at a location along said path, said powered membrane region causing localized concentration of the bioparticles, digital-like manipulation of the preconcentrated bioparticles plugs, and detection surface immobilized molecular probes located along said flow path to detect the bioparticles following localized concentration.

The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.

The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.

A device and process are disclosed for the separate removal of oppositely charged ions from electrolyte solutions and recombining them to form new chemical compositions. The invention provides the ability to create multiple ion flow channels and then form new chemical compositions therefrom. The process is accomplished by selectively combining oppositely charged ions of choice from different electrolyte solutions via the capacitive behavior of high electrical capacitance electrodes confined in insulated containers.

A device and process are disclosed for the separate removal of oppositely charged ions from electrolyte solutions and recombining them to form new chemical compositions. The invention provides the ability to create multiple ion flow channels and then form new chemical compositions therefrom. The process is accomplished by selectively combining oppositely charged ions of choice from different electrolyte solutions via the capacitive behavior of high electrical capacitance electrodes confined in insulated containers.

An activating agent for the treatment of radioactive wastewater. The activating agent is prepared by dissolving a mixture of inorganic salts including Ca.sup.2+, Na.sup.+, Sr.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+ and K.sup.+ in pure water having an electrical resistivity greater than 0.5 M.Math.cm to yield a solution. A method of radioactive wastewater treatment using the activating agent includes: 1) preparing the activating agent; 2) adding the activating agent to radioactive wastewater having an electrical resistivity greater than 0.5 M.Math.cm; uniformly mixing the activating agent and the radioactive wastewater; 3) further treating the radioactive wastewater including the activating agent using an electro-deionization device; and 4) collecting two liquid flows obtained in 3), one being purified water, the other being concentrated water returning to 2) for further purification.

An activating agent for the treatment of radioactive wastewater. The activating agent is prepared by dissolving a mixture of inorganic salts including Ca.sup.2+, Na.sup.+, Sr.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+ and K.sup.+ in pure water having an electrical resistivity greater than 0.5 M.Math.cm to yield a solution. A method of radioactive wastewater treatment using the activating agent includes: 1) preparing the activating agent; 2) adding the activating agent to radioactive wastewater having an electrical resistivity greater than 0.5 M.Math.cm; uniformly mixing the activating agent and the radioactive wastewater; 3) further treating the radioactive wastewater including the activating agent using an electro-deionization device; and 4) collecting two liquid flows obtained in 3), one being purified water, the other being concentrated water returning to 2) for further purification.

The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.