CN109678259B

CN109678259B - Apparatus and method for deionizing fluids

Info

Publication number: CN109678259B
Application number: CN201811209007.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T.A.贝克; D.施泰纳; P.米尔卡雷克
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2017-10-18
Filing date: 2018-10-17
Publication date: 2023-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-17
Also published as: DE102017218555A1; CN109678259A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for deionizing a fluid. The device has at least two electrode units along which the fluid can be directed to produce a deionized fluid and an ion-enriched fluid. Each electrode unit has at least two subsections electrically insulated from one another. The apparatus also has at least one deionization channel in which the fluid can be directed continuously along the at least two electrode units and the deionized fluid can be directed away from the at least two electrode units.

Description

Apparatus and method for deionizing fluids

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for deionizing a fluid.

Background

The invention is based on an apparatus or a method of the type according to the independent claims.

Water softening can be carried out in particular in the domestic sector, for example in the case of the use of ion exchangers, reverse osmosis or Capacitive Deionization (CDI).

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, with the solution presented here, a method, a device and a control apparatus using the method are furthermore presented according to the independent claims. Advantageous refinements and modifications of the device specified in the independent claims can be achieved by the measures specified in the dependent claims.

Depending on the embodiment, continuous deionization, such as water softening, may be achieved, particularly where a rotating electrode, such as a rotating graphite electrode or the like, is used. In this case, a continuous operation of the device, in particular for deionization, can be achieved, and in addition or alternatively a continuous process of the method for deionization can be achieved. Furthermore, the electrode unit is designed, for example, to be movable relative to a continuous fluid flow, wherein a fixed arrangement of the electrode unit relative to the fluid is interrupted. Depending on the embodiment, it is possible, for example, to realize applications in connection with water softening installations, in particular for the domestic sector or the household sector, in connection with sea water desalination plants, in connection with the production of ultrapure water for water baths.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment, in particular instead of a discontinuous operation, a continuous operation of the device for deionization, in particular of the water softening plant, can be achieved. Whereby parts, components or the like, such as switching valves, storage containers, etc., may be omitted. The service life of the electrode unit can also be extended, since only deposition on the surface of the ions occurs due to the short residence time of the subsections of the electrode unit in the fluid to be deionized, and thus clogging of the inner region of the electrode unit can be prevented. Furthermore, by such operation with a continuous deionization flow, the power density can be increased and thus a compact construction can be achieved and material use and costs can be reduced. In some cases, even the porous carbon layer of the electrode unit may be omitted, since only a small amount of ions are deposited due to the movement of the electrode unit or the correspondingly rapid cycling in each absorption cycle. Thus, due to the continuous mode of operation of the deionization, flow guidance can be simplified and switching valves and reservoir tanks for fluids having different ion concentrations can be reduced or avoided.

An apparatus for deionizing a fluid is proposed, wherein the apparatus has the following features:

at least two electrode units along which the fluid can be directed to produce a deionized fluid and an ion-enriched fluid, wherein each electrode unit has at least two subsections electrically insulated from each other;

at least one deionization channel in which the fluid can be continuously guided along the at least two electrode units and the deionized fluid can be guided away from the at least two electrode units;

at least one regeneration channel in which the ion-enriched fluid can be directed away from the at least two electrode units; and

separation means shaped to hydrodynamically separate the channels from each other, wherein the electrode units are movable relative to the separation means such that sub-sections of each electrode unit are alternately arranged in the at least one deionization channel and in the at least one regeneration channel.

The device can be used for water softening. The fluid may be water. For water softening, in particular calcium carbonate ions and magnesium ions can be removed from the fluid by means of the electrode unit. The subsections of each electrode unit may be charged independently of each other and additionally or alternatively in different ways. Each subsection may be configured to deposit ions from the fluid in the deionization channel and discharge the deposited ions (abgeben) to the fluid or ion-enriched fluid in the regeneration channel. The electrode unit may be movable relative to the separation device and additionally or alternatively rotatable. In the at least one deionization channel, a first substream of the fluid may be guided, wherein in the at least one regeneration channel a second substream of the fluid may be guided.

Water softening, in particular for removing calcium carbonate (CaCO), for example in the domestic sector ₃ ) And trace amounts of magnesium, can be achieved using one of three different techniques: a) By means of an ion exchanger: efficient and associated with low power consumption. However, the used salt must be replaced periodically. b) By reverse osmosis: the water to be cleaned is pressed through the membrane. The power consumption and the water consumption should be considered. c) Capacitive deionization or Capacitive Deionization (CDI): the water is led through the plate capacitor. The applied voltage absorbs ions dissolved in the water. The electrodes should be regenerated periodically (regeneren) and therefore run discontinuously.

In capacitive deionization, ions dissolved in water separate when flowing through a structure similar to a plate capacitor (abgeschieden). Here, a schematic current/voltage characteristic curve is obtained for the Adsorption (Adsorption) that occurs during deionization. A typical cell voltage may be about 1 volt and a current density of about 10 to 50mA/cm ² The distance between the two electrodes canIs a maximum of 1 mm. After a period of time, all adsorbate (Adsorbat) sites for ion accessibility are occupied by the electrodes, so that the current decreases continuously. The cells should then be regenerated. The voltage on the cell is reversed in polarity and the separated ions are pumped back from the electrode into the wastewater, thereby further increasing its ion concentration. The reduced current also indicates in this case that the electrode has been released from the deposited ions in respect of the Desorption (Desorption) that takes place and can be reused for separation. By a suitable design of the apparatus, a water regeneration of about 85% can be achieved, that is to say 100% of the incoming hard water is separated into about 85% of the soft product water and about 15% of the water with a correspondingly higher ion concentration. Advantageously, according to the solution described herein, the fresh water inflow does not have to be shut off for regeneration. The waste water to be discarded (verwerfendes) can be pumped out through the separator.

According to one embodiment, each electrode unit may be arranged to be in partial hydrodynamic contact with the deionization channels and in partial hydrodynamic contact with the regeneration channels. The at least one first subsection of each electrode unit may be arranged at least partially in the deionization channel, wherein the at least one second subsection of each electrode unit may be arranged at least partially in the regeneration channel. Such an embodiment provides the advantage that continuous deionization can be performed on the fluid flowing through the device.

Furthermore, the electrode unit may be formed as a tube or a tape. The electrode units may have a common axis of rotation for at least two electrode units or axes of rotation spaced apart from each other. The rotation axis or axes can be oriented in the section of the device leading to the electrode unit along or transversely to the flow direction of the fluid. In particular, the two electrode units having a common axis of rotation may be designed as concentric tube-in-tube systems. The channel may be arranged between the outer tube and the inner tube. The separation means may also be arranged between concentrically arranged tubes. Such an embodiment provides the advantage that depending on the intended volumetric flow of the fluid, and additionally or alternatively on the given initial concentration of ions in the fluid, a suitable embodiment of the electrode unit may be provided.

Furthermore, the subsections of the electrode unit may have a porous carbon-containing material. Each subsection of the electrode unit can have a layer of a porous carbon-containing material. The porous carbonaceous material may be graphite, nanoporous carbon, or the like. Such an embodiment provides the advantage that a fast and reliable ion absorption and discharge can take place through each sub-section.

Furthermore, the device may have at least one drive device for moving the electrode unit. The at least one drive can be configured to move the electrode units continuously, in the same direction, in opposite directions, at the same speed and additionally or alternatively at different speeds. Such an embodiment provides the advantages of: throughput (Durchsatz) may be increased and the efficiency of the device may additionally or alternatively be increased.

According to one embodiment, the separating means may have a sealing lip. Additionally or alternatively, the separation means may be arranged to abut against the electrode unit. The sealing surface of the separating means may be arranged to abut against the outer surface of the electrode unit. Such an embodiment provides the advantage that a mixing of sub-streams of fluid from the channel on the electrode surface can be prevented.

Furthermore, in at least one regeneration channel, the ion-enriched fluid may be guided along the electrode unit in the circuit until a predefined maximum reflow time is reached in the ion-enriched fluid and, additionally or alternatively, a predefined threshold value of the ion concentration is reached. Such an embodiment provides the advantage that the amount of deionized fluid that can be obtained from a given amount of incoming fluid can be increased.

Furthermore, the wall of at least one regeneration channel may be grounded. Such an embodiment provides the advantage that ions from the ion-enriched fluid may be prevented from depositing onto the wall.

There is also provided a method of deionizing a fluid, wherein the method is implementable using one embodiment of the aforementioned device, wherein the method has the steps of:

introducing the fluid into the at least one deionization channel and into the at least one regeneration channel;

causing movement of the electrode unit relative to the separation device; and is also provided with

A voltage is applied to the subsections of the electrode unit, wherein a voltage is applied to each subsection with a sign that depends on where the subsection is arranged relative to the at least one deionization channel and the at least one regeneration channel.

The method may be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a hybrid form of software and hardware, for example in a control device. In the applying step, a voltage of itself may be applied to each sub-section of each electrode unit. The first voltage may also be applied to a first set of subsections of the electrode unit and the second voltage may be applied to a second set of subsections of the electrode unit. The voltage may cause charging of the subsections of the electrode unit. The charge may be positive or negative.

The solution presented here also provides a control device which is configured to execute, manipulate or carry out the steps of the variant of the method presented here in the respective apparatus. The object underlying the invention can be solved quickly and effectively also by an embodiment variant of the invention in the form of a control device.

For this purpose, the control device may have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface for the sensor or the actuator for reading in sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting control signals to the actuator and/or at least one communication interface for reading in or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit may be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, etc., wherein the memory unit may be a flash memory, an EEPROM or a magnetic memory unit. The communication interface may be configured for reading in or outputting data wirelessly and/or by way of a line connection, wherein the communication interface, which may read in or output line-connected data, may read in or output the data from or into a respective data transmission line, for example electrically or optically.

In this context, a control device is understood to mean an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control signals and/or data signals in accordance therewith. The control device may have an interface that can be constructed in a hardware-based or software-based manner. In a hardware-based design, the interface may be, for example, part of a so-called system ASIC, which contains the various functions of the control device. However, the interface may also be an integrated circuit of its own or at least partly consist of discrete components. In a software-based design, the interface may be a software module, which is present, for example, on the microcontroller, in addition to other software modules.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control of the device for deionizing the fluid is effected by a control device. For this purpose, the control device may, for example, use sensor signals from a flow sensor, a conductivity sensor or the like. The actuation takes place by means of actuators of a drive device, such as an adjustment motor, and a hydrodynamic adjustment device, such as a pump.

Drawings

Embodiments of the solutions presented herein are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method according to one embodiment; and

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for elements shown in different drawings and having similar functions, wherein repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The apparatus 100 is configured to deionize a fluid 101. The fluid 101 is the input fluid 101 or the fluid 101 to be deionized. In other words, the apparatus 100 is configured to provide a deionized fluid 102 and an ion enriched fluid 103 with the use of the fluid 101.

The apparatus 100 has at least two electrode units 110, at least one deionization channel 120, at least one regeneration channel 130, and a separation device 140. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the apparatus 100 has two electrode units 110, a deionization channel 120, two regeneration channels 130 and a separation device 140;145.

the fluid 101 can be directed along the electrode unit 110 to produce a deionized fluid 102 and an ion-enriched fluid 103. The electrode unit 110 is configured for generating a deionized fluid 102 and an ion-enriched fluid 103 from the fluid 101. Each of the electrode units 110 has at least two

subsections

112, 114 that are electrically insulated from each other. Each of the

subsections

112, 114 of each of the electrode units 110 are individually chargeable.

In the illustration of fig. 1, a snapshot (mometaufnahme) is shown, wherein a first subsection 112 of the electrode unit 110 is positively charged, wherein a second subsection 114 of the electrode unit 110 is negatively charged. Here, in the instant photographing, the first subsection 112 of the first electrode unit 110 is disposed in the first regeneration channel 130, the first subsection 112 of the second electrode unit 110 is disposed in the deionized channel 120, the second subsection 114 of the first electrode unit 110 is disposed in the deionized channel 120, and the second subsection 114 of the second electrode unit 110 is disposed in the second regeneration channel 130.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the electrode unit 110 is shaped as a tube. Here, the electrode unit 110 is rotatably disposed in the device 100. Here, the electrode units 110 have rotational axes 115 spaced apart from each other. The rotation axis 115 here extends transversely to the flow direction of the

fluids

101, 102, 103.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the device 100 has for each electrode unit 110 a drive device 150 for moving the respective electrode unit 110. The drive means 150 are configured for moving the electrode units 110 relative to each other continuously or stepwise, in the same direction or in opposite directions, and/or at the same speed or at different speeds. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the drive means 150 are configured for moving the electrode units 110 continuously in the same direction and at the same speed.

In the deionization channel 120, the fluid 101 can be directed along the electrode unit 110, and the deionized fluid 102 can be directed away from the electrode unit 110. In the regeneration channel 130, the ion-enriched fluid 103 can be guided along the electrode unit 110. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the wall 135 or the outer wall 135 of the regeneration channel 130 is electrically grounded.

The deionization channel 120 and the regeneration channel 130 are by means of a separation device 140;145 are hydrodynamically separated from each other. According to the embodiment shown and described in fig. 1, the separation device 140;145 have a sealing lip 140 and a separating wall 145, of which only four sealing lips 140 are shown here by way of example. Here, the sealing lip 140 is disposed to abut against the electrode unit 110. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, two sealing lips 140 are respectively arranged to abut each of the electrode units 110.

The electrode unit 110 may be opposite to the separation device 140;145 are moved so as to alternately arrange the

subsections

112, 114 of each electrode unit 110 in the deionization channel 120 and in the regeneration channel 130. The electrode unit 110 can be moved by means of the drive 150 or rotated in this case.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, each electrode unit 110 is arranged to be in partial hydrodynamic contact with the deionization channel 120 and in partial hydrodynamic contact with one of the regeneration channels 130. Thus, each electrode unit 110 can be arranged in the device 100 on one side of the fluid 101 or the deionized fluid 102 and flow (anastron) on the other side of the ion-enriched fluid 103. According to one embodiment, the

subsections

112, 114 of the electrode unit 110 have a porous carbon-containing material. More specifically, each

subsection

112, 114 of each electrode unit 110 has a layer of porous carbon-containing material or is formed of such a layer or porous carbon-containing material.

According to an embodiment, the ion enriched fluid 103 may be guided in a loop along the electrode unit 110 into at least one regeneration channel 130 or into the regeneration channel 130, for example until a predefined maximum backflow time is reached and/or a predefined threshold value of the ion concentration in the ion enriched fluid 103 is reached.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The device 100 is here similar to the device from fig. 1. More specifically, the device 100 corresponds to the device from fig. 1, except that the electrode units 110 are shaped as tube-in-tube assemblies having a common axis of rotation, in particular tube-in-tube assemblies flowing in a longitudinal direction. In fig. 2, the continuous operation of the device 100 is shown with the use of a first partial view a and a second partial view B. In the first partial illustration a and in the second partial illustration B, the device 100 is shown in cross section. Here, the electrode unit 110 performs a rotational movement in the opposite direction and continuously. In the second partial view B, the electrode unit 110 is shown rotated half a turn with respect to the first partial view a, accordingly.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the first electrode unit 110 or the external electrode 110 is designed as an outer tube and the second electrode unit 110 or the internal electrode is designed to accommodate an inner tube arranged in said outer tube. The separation means 140 of the sealing lip type design is located in an intermediate space between the first electrode unit 110, which is designed as an outer tube, and the second electrode unit, which is designed as an inner tube, so as to seal the deionization channel 120 and the regeneration channel 130 from each other. Accordingly, the deionization channel 120 and the regeneration channel 130 are disposed between the electrode units 110 and separated from each other by the separation device 140. The separating means 140 is fixed in position relative to the tube here. The

subsections

112, 114 of the first electrode unit 110 embodied as an outer tube are arranged facing the second electrode unit 110, wherein the

subsections

112, 114 of the second electrode unit 110 embodied as an inner tube are arranged facing the first electrode unit 110.

More specifically, and in other words, in the deionization channel 120, the fresh water to be softened may flow as a fluid to be deionized. In the regeneration channel 130, wastewater or ion-enriched fluid provided with a higher ion concentration may flow. The flow direction in the

channels

120, 130 is here perpendicular or transverse to the plane of fig. 2. The

channels

120, 130 are completely filled with water or fluid. The ratio of fresh water or fluid to be deionized to waste water or ion-enriched fluid can be set by different flow rates. The fresh water fraction may be higher than 85%.

Both the inner cylinder and the outer tube, i.e. the electrode unit 110, rotate, for example, in opposite directions.

The angular velocities of the two electrode units 110 may be the same or different. For example, the first electrode unit 110, which is designed as an outer tube, may rotate more slowly, since it may itself have more adsorption sites for ions due to a larger surface. The two stationary sealing lips 140 do not rotate with them. During the rotation of the tube, their sealing surfaces respectively sweep over the outer contour of the inner tube or the inner contour of the outer tube.

The inner tube or cylinder, i.e. the part of the second electrode unit 110 which is arranged in the deionization channel 120, is provided for positive calcium ions as well as magnesium ions or Ca ²⁺ Ion and Mg ²⁺ And an ion capturing electrode. For this purpose, the

subsections

112, 114 are provided with nanoporous carbon surfaces and negatively charged in an arrangement in the deionization channels 120. The first electrode unit 110 or the

subsections

112, 114 of the outer tube are likewise coated with a nanoporous carbon surface. The portion of the first electrode unit 110 correspondingly disposed in the deionization channel 120 is positively charged, serves as a counter electrode and traps negative ions, such as CO ₃ ^2- Or a carbonate salt. The electrode unit 110 is divided into at least two

subsections

112, 114 or at least two segments, respectively.

For example, the second electrode unit 110, which is designed as an inner tube, rotates in a clockwise direction, and the first electrode unit 110, which is designed as an outer tube, rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Or the same rotation direction. Once the

subsections

112, 114 of each electrode unit 110 have shifted (gewechselt)

channels

120, 130, they are reversed in polarity. The polarity is reversed by the

subsections

112, 114 in the regeneration channel 130, so that ions deposited (angelageten) on the porous carbon layer of the

subsections

112, 114 are discharged (abgeben) into the wastewater. Thereby regenerating the carbon layer for new ion capture. In this case, the regenerated

partial sections

112, 114 are correspondingly rotated into the deionization channel 120. Their porous carbon layers now act as trapping electrodes for calcium, magnesium and carbonate ions with the correct voltage sign. The inflowing water to be softened can be separated into a continuous softened fresh water flow and a concentrated waste water flow by a rotating tube or electrode unit 110 with a periodic voltage change.

The aforementioned division of the electrode unit 110 or the outer and inner electrodes into two tube segments or

subsections

112, 114, respectively, is also used for illustration purposes. According to an embodiment, the electrode unit 110 may be divided into a plurality of sub-sections, the porous carbon surfaces of which are electrically insulated from each other. As long as the subsection is located in the fresh water region, the voltage sign is set to ion deposition. If the subsection enters the wastewater area, the voltage sign is transposed (verteuscht) and the subsection is regenerated by ion exchange into the wastewater.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 300 according to an embodiment. Here, the device 300 corresponds to the device from fig. 1, except that the drive device and the rotation axis are omitted in the illustration of fig. 3. The electrode unit 110 is thus designed as a tube from which the

fluids

101, 102, 103 flow out laterally. In other words, fig. 3 shows in cross section a schematic illustration of the continuous mode of operation of the device 300 in the case of the use of a rotating electrode unit 110 of the transverse flow (angestrus).

The fresh water stream or stream 101 is split into a central core stream to be deionized, which will become deionized stream 102, and a side stream, which is ion-enriched or becomes ion-enriched stream 103 as it passes through the apparatus. Thus, the bypass or ion-enriched fluid 103 forms a waste water stream to be discarded. By selecting the flow cross section and the pressure difference between the input and output, the substreams can be split into a core stream of, for example, 85% and a side stream of 15%. The electrode unit 110 rotates between the core flow and the bypass flow. The sealing lip 140 prevents mixing or intermixing of the sub-streams on the surface of the electrode unit 110.

For example, when the core flow flows through the region of the electrode unit 110, positively charged ions, ca ²⁺ Ion and Mg ²⁺ Ions migrate to the negatively charged subsection of the electrode unit 110, here for example the second subsection 114 of the electrode unit 110 shown on the left in fig. 3, and negative CO ₃ ^2- The (carbonate) ions migrate to the positively charged subsection of the electrode unit 110, here for example the first subsection 112 of the electrode unit 110 shown on the right in fig. 3. Here, the two electrode units 110 are continuously rotated. Once the

respective subsection

112, 114 has been rotated from the core stream into the side stream or from the deionization channel 120 into the regeneration channel 130, the polarity of the

subsection

112, 114 is reversed. Thereby, the adsorbed ions are driven into the bypass or ion-enriched fluid 103. The regeneration channel 130 or a tube wall 135 surrounding (umgebende) the regeneration channel 130 is grounded. Thereby preventing ions in the bypass stream from depositing thereon.

For simplicity of illustration, the electrode unit 110 has been described with exemplary only two

subsections

112, 114. It is likewise conceivable to divide the electrode unit 110 into four, eight or more subsections that are electrically insulated from one another. Thus, the low ion concentration of the exiting core stream or deionized fluid 102 may be stabilized. Each

sub-section

112, 114 may also be supplied with an optimal voltage level (span slot) for its respective position in the electric field. Thereby, the separation of ions from the core stream (Abscheidung) and the re-desorption into the side stream (Mantelstrom) can be optimized (re-desorption).

Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. Here, the device 100 corresponds to the device from fig. 1 or 3, except that the electrode unit 110 is shaped as a belt, for example a belt having an elliptical cross section. The electrode unit 110 is thus designed as a laterally flowing electrode strip. This results in a band-like arrangement of the capture electrodes or electrode units 110.

In other words, the electrode unit 110 is designed as a moving belt divided into electrically insulated sectors, which are alternately located in the water or fluid 101 to be softened and in the wastewater or ion-enriched fluid 103. The same applies to the above for their electrical actuation or their polarity when in contact with the core flow or the side flow. For simplicity, fig. 4 shows an electrode unit 110 designed as an electrode strip divided into two mutually

insulated subsections

112, 114. In this case, the homogenization of the ion concentration can also be achieved in the core flow and the side flow by dividing it into more subsections, according to the foregoing.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method 500 for deionizing a fluid according to one embodiment. The method 500 may be implemented using the apparatus of the figures described herein or similar apparatus. Here, the method 500 has an introducing step 510, a causing step 520, and an applying step 530. Although not explicitly shown in fig. 5,

steps

510, 520, 530 may be performed in any order. Further, steps 510, 520, 530 may be performed continuously, repeatedly, and/or cyclically.

In an introducing step 510, a fluid is introduced into at least one deionized channel and into at least one regeneration channel. In an causing step 520, a movement of the electrode unit relative to the separation device is caused. In an application step 530, an electrical signal, for example a voltage, is applied to the subsections of the electrode unit. An electrical signal, for example a voltage, is applied to each subsection, the sign being dependent on where the subsection is arranged relative to the at least one deionization channel and the at least one regeneration channel.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. Here, the apparatus 100 is similar to the apparatus from one of the other figures described herein. In contrast, an alternating arrangement or displaceable block with channels is used in the device 100 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 6. In this case, the operation of the device 100 is shown in fig. 6 in three partial views A, B and C, wherein the operating states shown in partial views A, B and C occur periodically, for example in the sequence ase:Sub>A-B-C-B-ase:Sub>A, etc.

The operation of the device 100 is based here on the periodic local offset of the second component of the individual channels or, for example, of the three electrode units 110, with respect to the first component of the two regeneration channels 130 and one deionization channel 120. By means of the actuating device, for example a piezo-element, one of the two components is moved back and forth in the transformation of the water combination between the softening function, and thus the decalcification of the water, and the cleaning of the electrode unit 110, so that a short cycle time can be achieved and thus only a small power consumption of the electrode unit 110 is required.

The basic principle is based on the following facts: that is, each electrode unit 110 that is not currently in use for flow-through and thus for softening or deionization is flown through by an ion-enriched fluid and thus may release the absorbed ions again. For this, the polarity of the electrode unit 110 is adjusted accordingly.

In partial view a, in the first module, the wastewater or the ion-enriched fluid is held in a first regeneration channel 130 shown on the left in fig. 6, and the water or the fluid is guided in a deionization channel 120 for softening, in order to then soften in the second module by CDI by means of a first electrode unit 110 shown on the left in fig. 6, in which case the ions collect in the channel of the second module containing the first electrode unit 110. Furthermore, the second electrode unit 110, which is shown centrally in fig. 6, is flown through by the waste water for cleaning the second electrode unit 110.

In partial illustration B, the channel with the first electrode unit 110 and the channel with the third electrode unit 110 of the second assembly shown on the right in fig. 6 are flown through by the waste water and additionally the polarity of the first and third electrode units 110 is changed such that, for example, ca accumulates ^- And Mg (magnesium) ^- Ions are directed into the wastewater. In addition, by adjusting the polarity of the second electrode unit 110 such that ions remain adhered to the surface thereof, the water is now softened to the second electrode unit 110 having the second componentIn the channel.

In partial view C, an operating state similar to partial view a is shown with only the other channels, so that cleaning or regeneration of the channels of the second electrode unit 110 with the second component and water softening on the channels with the third electrode unit 110 can be performed by the corresponding polarity of the CDI. The second regeneration channel 130 of the first assembly shown on the right in fig. 6 is not penetrated here. The operating state shown in partial diagram C is followed by the operating state shown in partial diagram B.

Although not shown in fig. 6, the device 100 may also have a capture device, which may be fixedly arranged with respect to the first component. The second component may be arranged between the first component and the presentation device (auffuhrungsvorrichtung). For a desired ratio of hardened water to wastewater, the regeneration channel 130 of the first component can be flown through by wastewater by recirculation multiple times, wherein water to be cleaned can flow through the deionization channel 120.

If an embodiment includes an "and/or" relationship between a first feature and a second feature, this can be understood as follows: the example has not only a first feature but also a second feature according to one embodiment; and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

1. A device (100) for deionizing a fluid (101), wherein the device (100) has the following features:

at least two electrode units (110) along which the fluid (101) can be guided to produce a deionized fluid (102) and an ion-enriched fluid (103), wherein each electrode unit (110) has at least two subsections electrically insulated from each other;

at least one deionization channel (120) in which the fluid (101) can be guided continuously along the at least two electrode units (110) and the deionized fluid (102) can be guided away from the at least two electrode units (110);

at least one regeneration channel (130) in which the ion enriched fluid (103) can be directed away from the at least two electrode units (110); and

separation means shaped to hydrodynamically separate the deionization channels (120) and the regeneration channels (130) from each other, wherein each electrode unit (110) is movable relative to the separation means such that sub-sections of each electrode unit (110) are alternately arranged in the at least one deionization channel (120) and in the at least one regeneration channel (130),

wherein each electrode unit (110) is arranged to be in partial hydrodynamic contact with the deionization channel (120) and in partial hydrodynamic contact with the regeneration channel (130).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrode units (110) are shaped as tubes or strips, wherein the electrode units (110) have a common rotation axis (115) for at least two electrode units (110) or rotation axes (115) spaced apart from each other.

3. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subsections of the electrode unit (110) have a porous carbon-containing material, wherein each subsection of the electrode unit (110) has a layer of a porous carbon-containing material.

4. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, having at least one drive device (150) for moving the electrode units (110), wherein the at least one drive device (150) is configured for moving the electrode units (110) continuously, in the same direction, in opposite directions, at the same speed and/or at different speeds.

5. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the separation means has a sealing lip (140) and/or is arranged to abut the electrode unit (110).

6. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the at least one regeneration channel (130) the ion-enriched fluid (103) can be guided in a loop along the electrode unit (110) until a predefined maximum reflux time and/or a predefined threshold value of ion concentration is reached in the ion-enriched fluid (103).

7. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall (135) of the at least one regeneration channel (130) is grounded.

8. A method (500) for deionizing a fluid (101), wherein the method (500) can be carried out using the device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method (500) has the following steps:

-introducing (510) the fluid (101) into the at least one deionization channel (120) and into the at least one regeneration channel (130);

-causing (520) a movement of the electrode unit (110) relative to the separation device; and is also provided with

Applying (530) a voltage to the subsections of the electrode unit (110), wherein a voltage is applied to each subsection with a sign that depends on where the subsection is arranged relative to the at least one deionization channel (120) and the at least one regeneration channel (130).

9. Control device arranged for implementing and/or manipulating the steps of the method (500) according to claim 8 in a respective unit.