APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR SEPARATION AND SELECTIVE RECOMPOSITION OF IONS

摘要

A device and process are disclosed for the separate removal of oppositely charged ions from electrolyte solutions and recombining them to form new chemical compositions. The invention provides the ability to create multiple ion flow channels and then form new chemical compositions therefrom. The process is accomplished by selectively combining oppositely charged ions of choice from different electrolyte solutions via the capacitive behavior of high electrical capacitance electrodes confined in insulated containers.

主权项

1. An apparatus for separation and selective recomposition of ions, comprising in combination:
a) a first ion repulsion cell through which a first electrolyte solution can pass, the first ion repulsion cell comprising a first insulated container; b) a first electrode secured inside the first ion repulsion cell, wherein the first electrode is made of materials selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, carbon aerogel and carbon aerogel composites; c) a second ion repulsion cell through which a second electrolyte solution can pass, the second ion repulsion cell comprising a second insulated container; d) a second electrode secured inside the second ion repulsion cell, wherein the second electrode is a metallic electrode; e) a reactor device comprising an ionizing electrode closely spaced adjacent a proton exchange membrane; f) a first flow path means hydraulically connecting the first ion repulsion cell to an ion sink, the ion sink comprising a third insulated container and a reference electrode secured inside, wherein the first flow path means includes an ion selective membrane for selectively facilitating flow of ions from the first ion repulsion cell to the ion sink while preventing the reverse flow of ions from the ion sink to the first ion repulsion cell; g) a second flow path means hydraulically connecting the first ion repulsion cell to the reactor device; h) a third flow path means hydraulically connecting the second ion repulsion cell to the ion sink, wherein the third flow path means includes an ion selective membrane for selectively facilitating flow of ions from the second ion repulsion cell to the ion sink while preventing the reverse flow of ions from the ion sink to the second ion repulsion cell; i) a fourth flow path means connecting the second ion repulsion cell to the reactor device, the fourth flow path means being a gas passage which directs gas generated in the second ion repulsion cell to the reactor device, and wherein ions flowing from the first ion repulsion cell into the reactor device react with ions produced from the gas flowing into the reactor device from the second ion repulsion cell; j) an electric current supply source for connecting to and controlling the polarities of the first electrode inside the first ion repulsion cell and the second electrode inside the second ion repulsion cell, wherein the electric current supply source is also connected to the reference electrode inside the ion sink; and k) a control device connected to the electric current supply source and to each of the flow cutoff valves for sensing the potential difference between the first and second electrodes and their adjacent liquids inside the first and second ion repulsion cells and then opening or closing the flow cutoff valves to allow ions to flow from the ion repulsion cells to the ion sink.