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Electrodialysis Cells with Reduced Operating Voltage for Seawater Desalination
WARF: P180373US01

Inventors: Kyoung-Shin Choi, Dohwan Nam, Dong Ki Lee

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is seeking commercial partners interested in a new type of electrodialysis cell where the oxidation and reduction of the same electron mediator are used as the anode and cathode reactions, which significantly lowers the operating voltage as compared to traditional electrodialysis cells.
Overview
Seawater desalination is a promising solution for the global water crisis. However, the current methods of distillation and reverse osmosis are expensive and energy-intensive.

Electrodialysis is an alternative method that removes salt ions, rather than water, from saline water. Electrodialysis could produce more fresh water with less energy than reverse osmosis, but it has a drawback: it needs a high voltage to drive the electrode reactions. To make electrodialysis more suitable for seawater desalination, new electrode materials and reactions are required.
The Invention
UW-Madison researchers have produced a novel type of electrodialysis cell that uses the same redox mediator for both the anode and cathode reactions, reducing the thermodynamically required voltage to operate the electrodialysis cell to 0 V. The system includes an additional electrodialysis cell to perform salination in tandem with desalination to reverse any composition change in the catholyte and anolyte that may occur. The system may also include a regenerative solar cell, which enables deionization and ion-accumulation with no external energy input while generating electrical energy.
Applications
  • Seawater desalination
  • Sustainable potable water generation
  • Water purification
  • Wastewater treatment
Key Benefits
  • Can significantly lower the operating voltage of electrodialysis
  • Enables electrodialysis methods for seawater desalination
  • May provide solar energy generation and desalination in a single device
  • Desalination generates electrical energy, in contrast to current desalination technologies that consume electricity.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
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For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Gottwald at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9854

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