A device for removing ions from a solution. The device includes first and second end plates, an anion exchange membrane positioned between the first and second end plates, a first multiple of two or more first cation intercalation electrodes positioned between the first end plate and the anion exchange membrane, and one or more second intercalation electrodes positioned between the second end plate and the anion exchange membrane. The first multiple of two or more first cation intercalation electrodes and the one or more second intercalation electrodes are configured to receive an electric bias of current or voltage such that the first multiple of two or more first cation intercalation electrodes and the one or more second intercalation electrodes store and release ions from the solution.

An ion-exchange apparatus has a raw-water tank 1, a treatment tank 2, an ion exchanger 3 and a voltage applying device E. The raw-water tank 1 contains a to be treated liquid that has impurity ions. The treatment tank 2 contains a treatment material with exchange ions exchangeable with the impurity ions. The ion exchanger 3 enables the passage of the impurity ions from the raw-water tank 1 to the treatment tank 2 and the passage of the exchange ions from the treatment tank 2 to the raw-water tank 1. The voltage-applying device E applies a voltage to the ion exchanger 3.

Provided is a method for co-producing iodine and salt by use of underground brine containing iodine salt and sodium chloride. The method is a method to produce iodine and salt in parallel including a series of steps including: an iodine acquisition step; a collecting step for obtaining concentrated brine by simultaneously concentrating iodine salt and sodium chloride by using an electrodialysis device; and a roasting step for obtaining salt. The present invention encompasses various aspects in terms of the order of performing the iodine acquisition step, the collecting step, and the roasting step, which are included in the series of steps.

The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium), using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when lithium is depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional lithium.

A method of recovering desalinated activated alumina (AA) beads from a composition including salt laden (high salt absorbed) activated alumna (AA) beads and free anions and free cations, comprising the step of electrodialysis of the composition to reduce salt content of the activated alumina (AA) beads to produce a stream comprising the desalinated activated alumina (AA) beads.

An apparatus, system and redox membrane for efficient lithium-ion extraction from natural salt waters or geothermal brines or manmade sources such as from lithium battery recycling are provided. The redox membrane is selective for lithium ions over other spectator ions making the system capable of selectively extracting lithium-ions from multiple-ion source solutions. The system uses the redox membrane as an electrochemically active material acting as a Li-selective membrane for direct lithium extraction from a lithium-ion source. The redox membrane is also not porous to solvents and is stable in caustic and high temperature environments. The features of the redox membrane and system allow the recovery of lithium from low purity sources and the production of higher purity products at reduced costs and process steps over conventional processes.

An apparatus and method for extracting nitrogen including compounds from wastewater is disclosed herein. The methods and apparatus use molecularly designed selective electrocatalysts, electrolytes, and separation reactors to enable automated, distributed ammonia manufacturing with minimal environmental impacts. In some embodiments, a method of nitrogen reduction of wastewater is provided. The method includes: providing an apparatus including: a first chamber comprising a salt solution; a second chamber comprising a wastewater source; a third chamber comprising a salt solution and a third electrode, wherein the second chamber is positioned between the first chamber and the third chamber; an anion exchange membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a cation exchange membrane positioned between the second chamber and the third chamber; applying a potential bias between any two of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber.

An ion-exchange apparatus includes a raw-water tank 1, a treatment section, an ion exchanger and a hydrophilic layer. The raw-water section contains a liquid to be treated with impurity ions. The treatment tank 2 contains a treatment material with exchange ions exchangeable with the impurity ions. The ion exchanger 3 enables the passage of the impurity ions from the raw-water tank 1 to the treatment tank 2 and the passage of the exchange ions from the treatment tank 2 to the raw-water tank 1. The hydrophilic layer M, with a water contact angle of 30° or less, is disposed on at least a surface of the ion exchanger adjacent to the treatment tank 2.

An inexpensive ion-exchange apparatus with an increased ion-exchange capacity has a raw-water tank (1), a treatment tank (2) and an ion exchanger (3). The raw-water tank (1) contains a to be treated liquid. The liquid contains impurity ions. The treatment tank (2) contains a treatment material that contains exchange ions exchangeable with the impurity ions. The ion exchanger (3) enables passage of the impurity ions from the raw-water tank (1) to the treatment tank (2) and the passage of the exchange ions from the treatment tank (2) to the raw-water tank (1). The treatment material in the treatment tank (2) has a higher molarity than the to be treated liquid in the raw-water tank 1.

An ion permeable membrane for selective permeation of a target ion, preferably lithium, through the membrane, the membrane comprising a target ion permeable composite comprises a target ion permeable ceramic and at least one organic polymer associated with the target ion permeable ceramic.