20160023925 | POLARIZED ELECTRODIALYSIS - Some embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus and methods for performing polarized electrodialysis, which may be used for desalination, purification and concentration. Such apparatus may include, for example, a pair of electrodes, a plurality of ion exchange membranes disposed between the pair of electrodes and a reservoir between each of the electrodes and the ion exchange membranes. The ion exchange membranes may include cation exchange membranes alternating with anion exchange membranes. A voltage may be applied between the pair of electrodes to generate concentration polarization wherein concentration of ions near the surface of one of at least one of the cation and anion exchange membranes is lower than a concentration of ions in the sample solution. The solution with lower ion concentration may be collected to form a desalinated stream by the apparatus. The apparatus and methods may also be able to remove or concentrate less mobile, weakly charged or bigger matters which cannot be purified by conventional electrodialysis. | 01-28-2016 |