Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080237045 | INJECTION BONDED ARTICLES AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF - Injection bonded articles comprised of a rigid core and secured together with an elastomeric material network which also forms seals and encapsulates at least a portion of the rigid core. The elastomeric material is selected to be compatible with the material comprising the rigid core to create a chemical and mechanical bond therebetween. Injection bonding and over-molding techniques are used to fabricate an electrodeionization apparatus spacer comprised of mated rigid segments secured by a unitary elastomeric material network that also forms internal and external seals that fluidly isolate one or more of inlet ports, resin cavities, and outlet ports as well as throughports. Injection bonding and over-molding techniques can also be used to fabricate other articles comprised of multiple segments. | 10-02-2008 |
20080251382 | SEPARATION AND EXTREME SIZE-FOCUSING OF NANOPARTICLES THROUGH NANOCHANNELS BASED ON CONTROLLED ELECTROLYTIC PH MANIPULATION - Accordance to various embodiments, there are methods of separating molecules, devices, and method of making the devices. The method of separating molecules can include providing a nanofluidic device including a plurality of nanochannels on a top surface of a substrate, wherein each of the plurality of nanochannels has a first end and a second end and extends from the top surface into the substrate. The nanofluidic device can also include a dielectric layer disposed over each of the plurality of nanochannels, an inlet at the first end of the plurality of nanochannnels, an outlet at the second end of the plurality of nanochannels, and an optically transparent cover disposed over the plurality of nanochannels to form a seal. The method of separating molecules can further include providing a solution in the plurality of nanochannels through the inlet and creating a longitudinal pH gradient along each of the plurality of nanochannels. | 10-16-2008 |
20080257739 | High Velocity Electrostatic Coalescing Oil/Water Separator - An apparatus for separating water from a water-in-oil mixture having an elongated inlet vessel with a lower outlet end and an upper inlet end, the length thereof being a multiple of the largest vessel cross-sectional dimension. A separation vessel having an oil outlet and a divergent water outlet has an inlet passageway in communication with the inlet vessel lower outlet end. At least one electrode is positioned within the inlet vessel by which a mixture flowing therethrough is subjected to an electric field. | 10-23-2008 |
20090095631 | METHOD FOR SEPARATING ACTIVE MATERIAL OF ELECTRODE PLATE FOR STORAGE BATTERY - An electrode plate ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090107842 | Method for manufacturing polyimide-based carbon nanofiber electrode and/or carbon nanotube composite electrode and CDI apparatus using the electrode - A method to manufacture a carbon fiber electrode comprises synthesizing polyamic acid (PAA) as a polyimide (PI) precursor from pryomellitic dian hydride (PMDA) and oxydianiline (ODA) as monomers and triethylamine (TEA) as a catalyst, adding dimethylformamide (DMF) to the polyamic acid (PAA) solution to prepare a spinning solution and subjecting the spinning solution to electrostatic spinning at a high voltage to obtain a PAA nanofiber paper, converting the PAA nanofiber paper into a polyimide (PI) nanofiber paper by heating, and converting the polyimide (PI) nanofiber paper into a carbon nanofiber (CNF) paper by heating under an Ar atmosphere. Also, the method to manufacture a polyimide carbon nanofiber electrode and/or a carbon nanotube composite electrode may utilize carbon nanofibers having diameters that are lessened by optimizing electrostatic spinning in order to improve spinnability. | 04-30-2009 |
20090134029 | Ion Concentration Regulation Method and Ion Concentration Regulation Apparatus - In a container | 05-28-2009 |
20090166205 | NANOFABRICATED STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRIC FIELD-ASSISTED NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION - Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for extracting nucleic acid molecules from solution using electric fields. The structures and methods of embodiments of the invention are suited to incorporation into micro and nano fluidic devices, such as lab-on-a-chip devices and micro total analysis systems. | 07-02-2009 |
20090188801 | ELECTRIC-FIELD INDUCED PHASE SEPARATION IN LIQUID MIXTURES - The invention is a method of phase separation in liquid mixtures comprising two or more components. The method comprises the steps of inserting the liquid mixture between suitably shaped and positioned electrodes and applying a voltage to the electrodes in order to produce a non-uniform electric field between the electrodes. The phase separation takes place with essentially all electrode geometries and the phase separation is reversible. The method is characterized in that the liquid mixture must contain dissociated positive or negative ions. In this case the phase separation takes place when the applied voltage is a few volts or less and when the temperature is many degrees above the binodal (coexistence) temperature Tc. The invention has many practical applications including: electrical field controlled lubrication, influencing the kinetics and spatial dependence of chemical reactions in liquid environments, controlling the propagation of light, and controlling the opacity of a window. | 07-30-2009 |
20090229981 | LIQUID DISINFECTANT APPARATUS - A liquid purification apparatus, including a flow cell having an opening at each end for conducting a liquid therethrough. The liquid purification apparatus also includes a pair of electrode plates disposed within the flow cell, each electrode plate comprising an elongated rectangle having a length, width, and thickness, the length and width defining a face of each electrode plate, the width being greater than the thickness. The electrode plates are arranged such that the faces of the electrode plates are parallel and opposite one another with a gap therebetween. | 09-17-2009 |
20090260989 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLARIFYING WATER - An apparatus and method of producing and using aluminum slurry containing aluminum particles having an extremely small size. In particular, a particle size that is small enough to freely flow through water filtration filters. Once the aluminum particles react with phosphorus, phosphates, and other contaminants, the resulting particles are large enough to be trapped by filters such that the contaminants can be easily removed. The aluminum slurry is created by the use of a unique process which rapidly transforms electrically charged aluminum plates into slurry. The resulting slurry is then added to the body of water where it disperses throughout the water and flocculates with the contaminants. The resulting clumps produced by the reaction are large enough to be trapped by filters in the water treatment facility. | 10-22-2009 |
20100025247 | CAPACITIVE DE-IONIZATION ELECTRODE - An electrode “cell” for use in a capacitive deionization (CDI) reactor consists of the electrode support structure, a non-reactive conductive material, the electrode accompaniment or substrate and a flow through screen/separator. These “layers” are repeated and the electrodes are sealed together with gaskets between two end plates to create stacked sets of alternating anode and cathode electrodes in the CDI reactor. | 02-04-2010 |
20100038248 | MICROSTRUCTURED FIBER ELECTRODE FOR THE CORONA DISCHARGE INITIATION REACTION - An electrode includes a plurality of fiber bundles. Each of the fiber bundles includes a plurality of individual fibers of different lengths with respect to an operation end of the electrode device. A screening ring is provided around the fiber bundles. The electrode may be used for example for generating corona discharge, which may be useful in liquid treatment. | 02-18-2010 |
20100163415 | WATER TREATMENT DEVICE - A water treatment device having a tank containing an anode and a cathode. A motor is provided to impart rotational motion to the cathode. A scraping means is fixed to the interior of the tank and extend inward toward the tank so as to define a gap between the scraping means and the cathode. As mineral deposits accumulate on the cathode they are removed by the scraping means and the rotational motion of the cathode. | 07-01-2010 |
20100193359 | REDUCING WATERBORNE BACTERIA AND VIRUSES BY A CONTROLLED ELECTRIC FIELD - An apparatus for disinfecting a fluid has a fluid-containing structure; an inward-facing first electrically conductive cylindrical body contained within said fluid-containing structure; an outward-facing electrically conductive-second cylindrical body disposed within said first cylindrical body, in mutually facing parallel and coaxial relation thereto, and spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid-occupiable cavity; a power supply electrically coupled between said first cylindrical body and said second cylindrical body, said power supply producing therebetween an electric field, said field comprising a waveform approximating a series of alternating square wave pulses of opposite polarity, said pulses having a maximum absolute value of approximately 60 volts per centimeter, a complete cycle of said waveform, comprising a first pulse and a succeeding pulse of opposite polarity, recurring with a frequency of between about 2 kHz: and about 5 kHz and providing about 2 amps to about 4 amps. | 08-05-2010 |
20100206732 | Method, Apparatus, and Magnet for Magnetically Treating Fluids - A sucker-rod pumping system includes diametrically charged rare earth magnets having significant monopolar character mounted on the rod string and, optionally, within a magnet barrel below the pump barrel. The magnets are jacketed to preclude contact with crude petroleum. The magnets subject the petroleum to a significant magnetic flux to substantially preclude precipitation of paraffins and asphaltenes with a minimum of retrofit to existing equipment and without substantially altering the operation of the rod string. | 08-19-2010 |
20100243454 | PROCESS FOR TREATING EXHAUST GAS GENERATED DURING WATER-GRANULATION OF SLAG AND SYSTEM FOR SAID TREATMENT - The present invention provides a process for treating a exhaust gas which is generated when slag discharged from a smelting furnace for non-ferrous metal is water-granulated. There is provided a process for treating an exhaust gas, which is generated during water granulation of slag discharged from a smelting furnace for non-ferrous metal, containing the water vapor as a major component and metal fumes, the process comprising a step of treating the exhaust gas by a wet electrostatic precipitator. | 09-30-2010 |
20100314252 | ELECTRICALLY ENHANCED AQUEOUS FILTER AND METHOD THEREFOR - An alloy is created by melting aluminum, zinc, rare earth metals such as erbium and/or tellurium, and optionally vanadium. During cooling, the molten alloy is exposed to ultrasonic waves in order to prevent separation of the alloy into layers. The alloy is used for one electrode and a separate conductive element such as stainless steel or carbon is used for the other electrode in a water filter. A constant potential difference and electrical current is created between the two electrodes across the water. In an embodiment where carbon or zeolite is used as the filtration medium, the constant voltage and current increase bonding of ions in the filtration medium with pollutants in the water. In an embodiment wherein a mixed bed resin containing sodium ions and potassium ions is used as the filtration medium, the constant voltage and current increase the bonding of the sodium and potassium ions with residual chlorine ions in the water. The resulting sodium chloride salts and the potassium chloride salts also assist in regenerating the mixed bed resin. | 12-16-2010 |
20110139623 | SYSTEM FOR ELECTROSTATIC DESALINATION - The system for electrostatic desalination provides evaporative desalination of salt water utilizing ionized gas formed through corona discharge. The system includes a plurality of stacked water collection plates, each water collection plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A thin film of salt water is formed on the upper surfaces thereof. A plurality of cathodes are provided, each cathode extending between a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. A plurality of anodes are attached to a corresponding one of the lower surfaces of the plurality of stacked water collection plates. Each anode and cathode is in communication with an external voltage source to generate an electrostatic field between the cathodes and the anodes. Thus, corona-induced ionized gas is produced between each of the stacked water collection plates in order to enhance condensation of pure evaporated water. | 06-16-2011 |
20110240472 | CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION CELL WITH THROUGH-FLOW - The electrodes of the described CDI cell are porous and permeable. The liquid to be deionized (e.g. salt water to be desalinated) flows through the electrodes. The electrodes are arranged in a stack, alternating anode/cathode, and water being treated passes through every electrode in the whole stack. For regeneration, the cells are connected (short-circuited) together, and the ions are dislodged mainly by flushing action. The through-flow arrangement can be realized in a number of different configurations. | 10-06-2011 |
20110247937 | Method and apparatus for permeating flow desalination - A water desalination system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs capacitive deionization to remove ions from source water to produce deionzed and waste water. The process employs charged electrodes to attract ions of opposite polarity from the source water. The process of discharging the electrodes employs solvent drag | 10-13-2011 |
20110253538 | Deionization and Desalination Using Electrostatic Ion Pumping - The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection. | 10-20-2011 |
20110259747 | WATER STERILIZATION DEVICES INCLUDING NANOSTRUCTURES AND USES THEREOF - A water sterilization device includes: (1) a conduit including an inlet to provide entry of untreated water and an outlet to provide exit of treated water; (2) a porous electrode housed in the conduit and disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the porous electrode including a porous support and nanostructures coupled to the porous support; and (3) an electrical source coupled to the porous electrode. | 10-27-2011 |
20110303543 | ELECTRICALLY ENHANCED FILTER CARTRIDGE AND METHODS FOR ITS USE - A fluid treatment apparatus and related methods involving the use of replaceable treatment cartridges that include a treatment media, wherein the treatment cartridge is electrically enhanced to form regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The treatment cartridge can include a pair of fixed polarity conductors that can be electrically connected to a power source so as to induce regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The fluid treatment apparatus can be utilized to treat liquids including aqueous solutions as well as gases such as an air supply by exposing the fluid to the regions of differing polarity. | 12-15-2011 |
20120024705 | Process for treating waste water and nozzle therefor - In an apparatus including two opposite conductive electrodes mounted in an opening of an insulating shroud filled with pressurized air, a support for supporting the shroud, the support being in communication with the opening to define an aerating zone adjacent to the opening, a collection tank under the aerating zone, and a nozzle disposed in the aerating zone, the nozzle being in communication with a waste water source, a process for treating waste water comprising energizing the electrodes to generate arc in a gap between the electrodes as the pressurized air passing through the gap; moving the arc to the aerating zone with contaminants and water components of waste water being shot out in fine spray from the nozzle; and vaporizing the fine spray as when it contacts the arc so as to neutralize the contaminants. | 02-02-2012 |
20120085650 | Apparatus and Method for Water and Wastewater Treatment Using Electrocoagulation - A system for treating wastewater using electrocoagulation in which fouling of the electrodes is greatly reduced or eliminated. The system comprises an anode comprising an anode surface, with an anode surface area, and a cathode comprising a cathode surface, with a cathode surface area greater than or equal to the anode surface area. A power supply is connected to the anode and the cathode and provides direct current at a current density of between 0.2 and 3.0 A/cm | 04-12-2012 |
20120125776 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF IONS - An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus having a housing comprising a water inlet to let water in the housing, a water outlet to let water out of the housing, a first electrode comprising a first current collector, a second electrode, a spacer to separate the first and second electrodes and allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes, and a metal connector connected to the first current collector, wherein multiple first current collectors are fed through the housing to connect to the metal connector outside the housing. | 05-24-2012 |
20120186980 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEPARATING IONS FROM FLUIDS - Technologies are generally described for method and apparatus for separating ions, such as arsenic, from a fluid, such as water. The apparatus includes a capacitor. The capacitor includes a material having a nanoscale porous structure, such as a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as magnetite, disposed over the nanoscale porous structure. A portable water purifier employing the capacitor can effectively remove ions from water with a low voltage applied to the capacitor. | 07-26-2012 |
20120205246 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTION OF ADHESION OF MARINE ORGANISMS TO A SUBSTRATE CONTACTING WITH SEAWATER - A system and a method for prevention of adhesion of marine organisms to a substrate contacted with seawater are provided. The system comprises a generator ( | 08-16-2012 |
20120211367 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CARBON NANOTUBE FILTER AND METHOD - A filtration apparatus and filtration method can be used to reduce at least one contaminant (e.g., organic molecules, ions and/or biological microorganisms) in an aqueous fluid. The filtration apparatuses and methods of the invention can separate at least one contaminant from an aqueous fluid and/or oxidize at least one contaminant. In operation, an aqueous fluid is flowed through a filtration apparatus comprising a porous carbon nanotube filter material at an applied voltage. | 08-23-2012 |
20120241323 | Previously entitled "FLUID TREATMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM USING FLOWING GENERATOR TO TREAT WATER" herein amended to "FLUID TREATMENT" - Herein provided are methods, kits, systems, devices, etc. relating to the use of electrical energy for the treatment of fluids. | 09-27-2012 |
20120247959 | THROUGH-FLOW CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION CELL - The capacitive electrodes of the CDI cell are arranged to form a tube. Water to be treated flows through the tube-walls. The CDI electrodes are permeable, and form the tube-walls, whereby the flow passes through the thicknesses of the electrodes and of the spacers. The electrodes may be in the form of concentric tubes, or may be wrapped spirally. | 10-04-2012 |
20120273359 | FLOW-THROUGH ELECTRODE CAPACITIVE DESALINATION - An electrode “flow-through” capacitive desalination system wherein feed water is pumped through the pores of a pair of monolithic porous electrodes separated by an ultrathin non-conducting porous film. The pair of monolithic porous electrodes are porous conductors made of a material such as activated carbon aerogel. The feed water flows through the electrodes and the spacing between electrodes is on the order 10 microns. | 11-01-2012 |
20130062208 | APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL OF IONS, BI-DIRECTIONAL POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL OF IONS - An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including an inlet to let water in the apparatus; an outlet to let water out of the apparatus; a capacitor; and a spacer to separate a first and a second electrode of the capacitor and to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The apparatus further including a power converter configured to convert a supply voltage of a power source to a charging voltage to charge the capacitor. The power converter is constructed and arranged to recover energy from the capacitor by converting the voltage on the capacitor to supply voltage of the power source. | 03-14-2013 |
20130092542 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF IONS - An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus having a housing including an inlet to let water in an interior of the housing, an outlet to let water out of the interior of the housing, a first electrode having a current collector, a second electrode, and a spacer to separate the first and second electrodes and to allow water to flow between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus also has a connector to connect the first electrode, or the second electrode, or both first and second electrodes, with an electrical source. The connector may have two connector parts to clamp the current collector in between the connector parts, the connector constructed and arranged to avoid water-metal contact. | 04-18-2013 |
20130092543 | ELECTROFLUIDIC TEXTILES AND CLEANING IMPLEMENTS USING SUCH ELECTROFLUIDIC TEXTILES - The invention relates to textiles, reservoirs, or films which may be switchably rendered hydrophilic or hydrophobic for liquid wicking, repelling, moving, holding, absorbing, drying, wetting, dispensing, and other means of electrically manipulation of liquids. | 04-18-2013 |
20130105322 | Control Valve Assembly | 05-02-2013 |
20130134043 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PURIFYING WATER - A method for controlling the concentration of ions in a liquid comprises the steps of: generating a main stream ( | 05-30-2013 |
20130146463 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF IONS - An apparatus and a method to remove ions from water is disclosed. The apparatus has a stack of at least five electrodes in a housing. The stack may have at least three master electrodes, each master electrode comprising a current collector connected to a power controller configured to apply an electrical potential difference. The apparatus is configured such that the electrical potential difference is applied between each two adjacent master electrodes. The stack may have at least two floating electrodes, each floating electrode located between at least two adjacent master electrodes. The apparatus is constructed to allow water to flow from an inlet of the housing to an outlet of the housing between at least two adjacent electrodes and at least one floating electrode may be constructed to attract ions from the water as a result of the electrical potential difference between at least two master electrodes. | 06-13-2013 |
20130153423 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF IONS - An apparatus and a method to remove ions from water are provided. The apparatus has at least three electrodes: at least two master electrodes, each master electrode including a current collector connected or connectable to a power supply configured to create an electrical potential difference between at least two master electrodes and at least one floating electrode located between at least two master electrodes. The apparatus is constructed to provide a potential difference between at least two master electrodes and to allow water containing ions to flow from an inlet to an outlet between at least two adjacent electrodes. The ions in the water are attracted to the master and floating electrodes by the potential difference and the at least one floating electrode has an ion barrier layer. | 06-20-2013 |
20130175174 | DEVICE HAVING AN ANNULAR ELECTRODE FOR DECREASING SOOT PARTICLES IN THE EXHAUST GAS OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A device for decreasing soot particles in exhaust gas, especially from an internal combustion engine, includes concentric outer and inner tubes forming an intermediate space through which the exhaust gas can flow. At least one annular electrode with a multiplicity of electrode tips protruding radially into the intermediate space is disposed on the inside of the outer tube. Terminals can connect the annular electrode and inner tube to a high voltage source forming an electric field in the intermediate space. At least two electrodes are preferably disposed axially at an electrode spacing of preferably 10 to 30 mm. The electrode tips can be approximately conical or pin-shaped with a radial length of 3 to 10 mm. The electrode tips of each electrode have a tip spacing in circumferential direction of 3 to 20 mm or 5 to 10 mm creating a very effective and uniform radial electric field for ionization. | 07-11-2013 |
20130186761 | APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL OF IONS COMPRISING AN ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE THAT COMPRISES A CROSSLINKED HYPERBRANCHED (CO)POLYMER (A CROSSLINKED HBP) WITH ION EXCHANGE GROUPS - An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a housing, an inlet to let water into the housing, an outlet to let water out of the housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow between the first and second electrodes, and an ion exchange membrane between the first and/or second electrode and the spacer, wherein the membrane has a crosslinked hyperbranched polymer with ion exchange groups. | 07-25-2013 |
20130299351 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF LIQUID - A system and method for treatment of a contaminated liquid is described. The system includes a high voltage supply device, a general capacitor bank, one or more general limiting member, such as general switch devices or general resister devices, coupled to the high voltage supply device and to the general capacitor bank. The system further includes one or more working capacitor banks coupled to the general capacitor bank through the general limiting member, and one or more working switches arranged in series with the corresponding working capacitor bank. The system also includes one or more potential electrodes and grounded electrodes immersed in the contaminated liquid and coupled to the working capacitor banks for providing an electric discharge through the contaminated liquid. | 11-14-2013 |
20130313115 | Reducing Waterborne Bacteria and Viruses by a Controlled Electric Field - An apparatus for disinfecting a fluid has a fluid-containing structure; an inward-facing first electrically conductive cylindrical body contained within said fluid-containing structure; an outward-facing electrically conductive second cylindrical body disposed within said first cylindrical body, in mutually facing parallel and coaxial relation thereto, and spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid-occupiable cavity; a power supply electrically coupled between said first cylindrical body and said second cylindrical body, said power supply producing therebetween an electric field, said field comprising a waveform approximating a series of alternating square wave pulses of opposite polarity, said pulses having a maximum absolute value of approximately 60 volts per centimeter, a complete cycle of said waveform, comprising a first pulse and a succeeding pulse of opposite polarity, recurring with a frequency of between about 2 kHz and and about 5 kHz and providing about 2 amps to about 4 amps. | 11-28-2013 |
20140008229 | Method And Apparatus For Treating Tailings Using Alternating Current - There is a method described of treating tailings which are composed of at least some water and clay particles. Within the tailings, at least some water molecules are weakly bond to the clay particles to form a gel like fluid from which water does not readily separate. An alternating current is applied to the tailings to change the electro-chemical properties of the tailings to reduce the weak bonding between the water and the clay particles so that water within the treated tailings is able to separate. Water within the treated tailings is then allowed to separate without further application of electricity. In some embodiments, the treated tailings are allowed to separate through evaporation. Liquid tailings may also be treated with alternating current by applying alternating current to the liquid tailings at a voltage gradient range of 1 to 5 V/cm for a total duration of 24 to 300 hours. The application of alternating current may further comprise applying alternating current at a frequency of 1 to 30 Hz. | 01-09-2014 |
20140183046 | MEMBRANELESS SEAWATER DESALINATION - Disclosed are microfluidic devices and systems for the desalination of water. The devices and systems can include an electrode configured to generate an electric field gradient in proximity to an intersection formed by the divergence of two microfluidic channels from an inlet channel. Under an applied bias and in the presence of a pressure driven flow of saltwater, the electric field gradient can preferentially direct ions in saltwater into one of the diverging microfluidic channels, while desalted water flows into second diverging channel. Also provided are methods of using the devices and systems described herein to decrease the salinity of water. | 07-03-2014 |
20140262788 | Method and Apparatus for Conditioning Fresh and Saline Water - A method and apparatus for conditioning water is disclosed. Water is flowed past a probe, wherein the water may include impurities. The probe is energized to excite the water and a presence of electrons in the excited water is reduced to produce positively charged water downstream of the probe that causes the impurities to dissociate from the water. The excited water may be deposited on a soil for crop production. The excited water may be further deposited on the soil to flush impurities in the soil to a depth away from a root of a crop planted in the soil to reclaim the soil for crop production. The excited water may further be used to descale pipes, such as used in irrigation, heat exchangers, cooling systems, etc. In yet another embodiment, the probe may be energized at a frequency selected to destroy organism, thereby protecting ecosystems. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262789 | VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF) DRIVEN ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA SOURCES AND POINT OF USE FERTIGATION OF IRRIGATION WATER UTILIZING PLASMA PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN BEARING SPECIES - A point of use irrigation water fertigation system utilizes plasma production of nitrogen-bearing species. Soluble nitrogen-bearing species are generated using an atmospheric air plasma treatment of an irrigation water supply. A plasma is generated by a tube having an air intake. A high frequency generator generates atmospheric plasma. The end of the tube is placed above the surface of the irrigation water supply and the plasma emanating from the tube generates nitrogen species in the water. The non-thermal plasma discharge efficiently produces highly reactive radicals and NO | 09-18-2014 |
20140346046 | Polarized Electrode for Flow-through Capacitive Deionization - The polarized electrode flow through capacitor comprises at least one each electrode material, with a pore volume that includes meso and micropores, with contained anionic or cationic groups. The polarized electrodes are in opposite polarity facing pairs, separated by a flow path or flow spacer. Both polarities of the particular attached ionic groups used are ionized at the working pH or composition of the particular feed solution supplied to inlet of the flow through capacitor. The contained groups cause the electrodes to be polarized so that they are selective to anions or cations. The polarized electrode flow through capacitor has better performance compared to identical flow through capacitors made from non-derivitized carbon. The capacitor electrode materials so derivitized provide this polarization function directly without need for a separate charge barrier material. | 11-27-2014 |
20140367262 | CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION APPARATUS AND METHODS OF TREATING A FLUID USING THE SAME - The present disclosure relates to a spacer structure that is configured to be disposed between a pair of electrodes in a capacitive deionization apparatus so as to provide a space for flowing a fluid therethrough. The spacer structure includes a copolymer prepared by copolymerizing a mixture of a polyurethane backbone including a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group, an ion conductive monomer including a carboxyl group and a cation exchange group, and a second polymer including a functional group that reacts with the carboxyl group or sulfonic acid group and forms a cross-linking bond with the polyurethane backbone. | 12-18-2014 |
20140374258 | POLYPHASE ALTERNATING CURRENT BI-IONIC PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR DESALINATION AND MARINE TRANSPORTATION - A system and method of using a traveling electric wave generated by means of intertwined helically wound electrodes powered by a polyphase alternating current, such that the traveling electric wave attracts both anions and cations in alternating bands of anions and cations, providing an electromotive force for these ions along the direction of travel of the electric wave, thus moving a concentrated ionic flow for the purpose of propulsion or removal of ions from a fluid. | 12-25-2014 |
20150021185 | CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION APPARATUS AND METHODS OF TREATING FLUID USING THE SAME - An electrode material may include a porous carbon material and an organic clay. An electrode for a capacitive deionization apparatus may include the electrode material. A method of removing ions from a fluid may include using the capacitive deionization apparatus. | 01-22-2015 |
20150047983 | CARBON COMPOSITION WITH HIERARCHICAL POROSITY, AND METHODS OF PREPARATION - A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device. | 02-19-2015 |
20150299002 | ACTIVE CARBON FILTER SYSTEM AND METHOD - Activated carbon filter (ACF) system and method are disclosed. An example of the ACF system includes a plurality of activated carbon electrodes, The ACF system includes at least one current spreader for each of the plurality of activated carbon electrodes. The ACF system includes an electrical connection to provide electrical power to the plurality of activated carbon electrodes via the at least one current spreader. The ACF system includes an inlet and an outlet configured to provide fluid through a flow path in the plurality of activated carbon electrodes to remove contaminant from the fluid. The ACE system actively deionizes and removes chemical, biological, and/or other particles from a fluid (e.g., tap water). | 10-22-2015 |
20150307373 | IMPREGNATED ELECTRODE FOR CAPACITIVE DEIONISATION, PROCESS FOR PREPARING IT AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE ELECTRODES - Disclosed is an electrode an electrode for capacitive deionization comprising • (i) an adsorbent having specific surface area of 100 m 2/g to 1300 m 2/g; • (ii) conductive carbon black; and • (iii) a binder; wherein said adsorbent is impregnated with a substance having conductivity in the range of 10 | 10-29-2015 |
20150315041 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DESALINATION - A system and method of desalination that utilizes a channel formed by a series of opposed rails where the series of opposed rails determines the length of the channel and the distance between opposed rails determines the width of the channel. Non-adjacent rails along the length of the channel are electrically coupled in a pattern and they are sequentially energized to create a potential voltage between opposed pairs of rails that attract ions towards them when ionized water flows through the channel. | 11-05-2015 |
20160016119 | APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION AND DESALINATION AND METHOD THEREFOR - A free-pass-through fluid-purification system is disclosed, wherein the system includes a pore-matrix membrane subtended between a pair of chambers of a manifold. The membrane includes a large open-fraction porous matrix that allows liquid to pass freely through; however, suspended matter having a physical cross-section larger than the size of the pores are blocked. In some embodiments, the cross-sections of the pores are made to be a small fraction of the cross-section of the suspended materials. In some embodiments, electrodes are included on the top and bottom surfaces of the membrane to enable deionization of the fluid. | 01-21-2016 |
20160031728 | REDUCING WATERBORNE BACTERIA AND VIRUSES BY A CONTROLLED ELECTRIC FIELD - An apparatus for disinfecting a fluid has a fluid-containing structure; an inward-facing first electrically conductive cylindrical body contained within said fluid-containing structure; an outward-facing electrically conductive second cylindrical body disposed within said first cylindrical body, in mutually facing parallel and coaxial relation thereto, and spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid-occupiable cavity; a power supply electrically coupled between said first cylindrical body and said second cylindrical body, said power supply producing therebetween an electric field, the field having a waveform approximating a series of alternating square wave pulses of opposite polarity, said pulses having a maximum absolute value of approximately 60 volts per centimeter, a complete cycle of said waveform has a first pulse and a succeeding pulse of opposite polarity, recurring with a frequency of between about 1 kHz and and about 5 kHz and providing about 2 amps to about 4 amps. | 02-04-2016 |
20160194224 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NON-THERMAL PLASMA OVER LIQUID DIRECT ION INJECTION | 07-07-2016 |