Patent classifications
B01D61/56
Electro-Pressure Membrane Method for Recovery and Concentration of Lithium from Aqueous Sources
A hybrid electro-pressure driven method for the recovery, purification, and concentration of lithium salts is described. A fractionating electrodialysis stack equipped with selective ion exchange membranes is s used to separate a lithium containing brine into a monovalent enriched fraction and a divalent enriched fraction. The monovalent enriched fraction is further processed to remove remaining impurities by use of pressure driven nanofiltration. An optional concentrating electrodialysis device may further concentrate the monovalent enriched fraction in lithium content. The method may be combined with a subsequent solvent extraction and electrolysis step to produce lithium hydroxide, a Li+ selective sorbent step for producing purified lithium chloride, or a Li+ selective sorbent and precipitative step to produce lithium carbonate.
Electro-Pressure Membrane Method for Recovery and Concentration of Lithium from Aqueous Sources
A hybrid electro-pressure driven method for the recovery, purification, and concentration of lithium salts is described. A fractionating electrodialysis stack equipped with selective ion exchange membranes is s used to separate a lithium containing brine into a monovalent enriched fraction and a divalent enriched fraction. The monovalent enriched fraction is further processed to remove remaining impurities by use of pressure driven nanofiltration. An optional concentrating electrodialysis device may further concentrate the monovalent enriched fraction in lithium content. The method may be combined with a subsequent solvent extraction and electrolysis step to produce lithium hydroxide, a Li+ selective sorbent step for producing purified lithium chloride, or a Li+ selective sorbent and precipitative step to produce lithium carbonate.
Moisture control systems and methods for controlling moisture in an aircraft
A moisture control system includes an anode coupled to an insulation blanket that is positioned between an inner wall and an outer wall of an aircraft fuselage, a cathode coupled to an interior surface of the outer wall, and a power control unit coupled to the anode and the cathode to apply voltage across the anode and the cathode. When the voltage is applied across the anode and the cathode, moisture is drawn away from the anode and toward the cathode on the interior surface of the outer wall and guided along a drainage path provided via structural members disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall toward a drainage port.
Moisture control systems and methods for controlling moisture in an aircraft
A moisture control system includes an anode coupled to an insulation blanket that is positioned between an inner wall and an outer wall of an aircraft fuselage, a cathode coupled to an interior surface of the outer wall, and a power control unit coupled to the anode and the cathode to apply voltage across the anode and the cathode. When the voltage is applied across the anode and the cathode, moisture is drawn away from the anode and toward the cathode on the interior surface of the outer wall and guided along a drainage path provided via structural members disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall toward a drainage port.
Method for pumping an aqueous fluid through an electroosmotic membrane
A method of pumping an aqueous fluid through an electroosmotic membrane situated between a cathode and an anode includes oxidizing water to O.sub.2 at the anode and reducing O.sub.2 at the cathode. A potential difference E between the cathode and the anode is 1.4 V or less.
Method for pumping an aqueous fluid through an electroosmotic membrane
A method of pumping an aqueous fluid through an electroosmotic membrane situated between a cathode and an anode includes oxidizing water to O.sub.2 at the anode and reducing O.sub.2 at the cathode. A potential difference E between the cathode and the anode is 1.4 V or less.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING A REACTION PRODUCT FROM A FLUID
An electrochemical system includes a first reservoir comprising a first fluid and a catalyst, wherein the first fluid comprises a reaction mixture that reacts to form first and second products, and a second reservoir comprises a second fluid. A first electrode contacts a redox-active electrolyte material solution and has a reversible redox reaction with the electrolyte material to accept at least one ion. A second electrode contacts a redox-active electrolyte material solution and has a reversible redox reaction with the electrolyte material to drive at least one ion into the second fluid as an electrical potential is supplied. A diluted effluent comprising the second product and the catalyst exits the second reservoir, wherein the second product is removed from the first reservoir via electroosmosis, and optionally concurrently via osmosis, and a product stream comprising the first product exits the first reservoir.
ELECTROOSMOTIC MEMBRANE
A porous membrane for use in an electroosmotic pump for pumping a fluid by electroosmotic transport, the porous membrane comprising: first and second opposite surfaces and a net fluid flow direction extending in the porous membrane between said opposite surfaces, wherein when a given amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the first to the second opposite surface more electroosmotic transport of the fluid will occur than when the same amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the second to the first, opposite surface.
CONTINUOUS ELECTROKINETIC DEWATERING OF PHOSPHATIC CLAY SUSPENSIONS
Various methods and systems are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay. In one example, among others, a system for continuous dewatering includes a cake formation zone including a first anode and a first cathode each extending across a first portion of a separation chamber; a cake dewatering zone including a second anode and a second cathode; an inlet configured to supply a dilute feed suspension comprising solids suspended in water to the cake formation zone; and a conveying belt extending between the first anode and the first cathode and between the second anode and the second cathode. A first electric field between the first anode and the first cathode forms a cake on the conveying belt by consolidating the solids, and a second electric field between the second anode and the second cathode dewaters the cake on the conveying belt.
CONTINUOUS ELECTROKINETIC DEWATERING OF PHOSPHATIC CLAY SUSPENSIONS
Various methods and systems are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay. In one example, among others, a system for continuous dewatering includes a cake formation zone including a first anode and a first cathode each extending across a first portion of a separation chamber; a cake dewatering zone including a second anode and a second cathode; an inlet configured to supply a dilute feed suspension comprising solids suspended in water to the cake formation zone; and a conveying belt extending between the first anode and the first cathode and between the second anode and the second cathode. A first electric field between the first anode and the first cathode forms a cake on the conveying belt by consolidating the solids, and a second electric field between the second anode and the second cathode dewaters the cake on the conveying belt.