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.

A device for removing ions from a solution. The device includes first and second flow channels between an anion exchange membrane and first and second flow plates, respectively. The first flow channel has a first land volume positioned between the first land regions and the anion exchange membrane. The first flow channel has a first channel volume positioned between the anion exchange membrane and the first channel regions and spaced apart from the anion exchange membrane. The second flow channel has a second land volume positioned between the second land regions and the anion exchange membrane. The second flow channel has a second channel volume positioned between the anion exchange membrane and the second channel regions and spaced apart from the anion exchange membrane. The device also includes an intercalation material positioned within the first land and channel volumes or the second land and channel volumes.

An apparatus for dehalogenating an aqueous salt solution may include a tank, an electrode pair positioned at least partially within the tank, and an aerator positioned at least partially below an anode of the electrode pair. An inlet of the tank may be configured to introduce the aqueous salt solution into the tank, and as the aqueous salt solution contacts the electrode pair that may include a voltage potential between the anode and cathode, electrolysis occurs and the halogens in the aqueous salt solution, e.g. chloride, may be oxidized at the anode. The aerator may be configured to sweep the halogens to the top of the tank.

Systems and methods for treating water may involve a first electrochemical separation module that includes at least one ion exchange membrane having a first set of performance characteristics, and a second electrochemical separation module that includes at least one ion exchange membrane having a second set of performance characteristics that is different than the first set of performance characteristics. Performance characteristics may relate to at least one of water loss, electrical resistance, and permselectivity. Staged treatment systems and methods may provide improved efficiency.

Bismuth-based, chloride-storage electrodes and rechargeable electrochemical cells incorporating the chloride-storage electrodes are provided. Also provided are methods for making the electrodes and methods for using the electrochemical cells to remove chloride ions from a sample. The chloride-storage electrodes, which are composed of bismuth metal, can store chloride ions in their bulk by forming BiOCl via an oxidation reaction with bismuth in the presence of an oxygen source.

A universal water purification system and method that can desalinate salt water or just filter fresh water. Preferably, the system is portable and relatively lightweight and provides for emergency or recreational safe power and water accessibility. The components of the system can be installed on an aluminum frame and preferably include a waterproof front control panel, four pre-filters, a reverse osmosis membrane, ultraviolet (UV) LED lamp, a high pressure reverse osmosis (RO) pump and a low pressure water supplying pump, an electro valve preferably with a manual override in case of power loss, an additional electro valve, a plurality of quick connect couplings (preferably three), a power bank, an internal inverter, a universal power supply and battery charger preferably disposed within a military style suitcase. In a preferred embodiment, the suitcase can be a PELICAN brand case. The system can provide a power bank, universal power supply (12V, 24 V, 90-260V 409-70 HZ), wide range battery charger, and water filtration and desalination unit for both outdoor and indoor applications.

A system for modifying pH in an aqueous environment comprises an aqueous salt solution feed stream having a first pH and an electrochemical device positioned proximate an aqueous restoration area. The electrochemical device is configured to receive the feed stream and convert the feed stream to an acid stream and a base stream having respective predetermined pH values. A first effluent stream comprises the base stream, wherein the first effluent stream has a second pH that is higher than the first pH. The first effluent stream is delivered proximate the aqueous restoration area. A second effluent stream comprises the acid stream, wherein the second effluent stream has a third pH that is lower than the second pH.

An electrochemical cell may include: an anode; a porous anodic current collector; a cathode; a porous cathodic current collector; and an alkali metal-conducting separator that separates the anode from the cathode and is disposed surrounding the anodic current collector. The cathode may include seawater. A battery module may include a plurality of the electrochemical cells, and a battery may include a plurality of the battery modules.

A method by which an environmental energy (e.g., wave energy) is harvested, converted into electrical power, and thereafter used to electrolyze seawater into hydrogen and chlorine gases. Those gases are recombined into hydrogen chloride from which is formed hydrochloric acid solution which is diluted and deposited at a depth sufficient to ensure its neutralization and sequestration for a significant period of time (e.g., for over a millennium). By removing chloride ions from a portion of the sea adjacent to its upper surface and depositing them into a portion of the sea more adjacent to its bottom, acidity is shifted from the surface to base of the sea, and the surface ocean is given a greater ability to absorb and buffer atmospheric carbon dioxide without a corresponding increase in acidity.

A current conductor for use in an electrochemical device for removing ions from a solution. The current conductor includes a current conductor substrate having a current conductor surface. The current conductor also includes an anti-corrosive, anti-reactive coating coated onto the current conductor surface. The anti-corrosive, anti-reactive coating contains a material with a chemical composition of AO.sub.y, where A= Zr, Nb, Ti, or a combination thereof and 2 < y < 3; M.sub.xAO.sub.y, where M= Ca, Mg, Na, or a combination thereof, A= Zr, Nb, Ti, or a combination thereof, 0 < x < 2, and 2 < y < 3; MgCr.sub.2O.sub.4; or a combination thereof.