KR102662767B1 - Submerged flow-electrode capacitive deionization system with hydrocyclone device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a submerged flow electrode reservoir, a cyclone device that separates the mixture flowing from the submerged flow electrode reservoir into a solid mixture and a liquid mixture, a flow electrode reservoir that mixes the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device with water, and the flow. A submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system comprising an external reservoir supplying water to an electrode reservoir, wherein the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device flows into the submerged flow electrode reservoir. It relates to a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system having an inlet circulation structure.

Description

Submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system using a cyclone device {SUBMERGED FLOW-ELECTRODE CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION SYSTEM WITH HYDROCYCLONE DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization system using a cyclone device. The cyclone device is introduced into the immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization system and implemented as a single deionization system, thereby producing highly concentrated ionized water using the cyclone device. It relates to a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system that allows continuous operation by removing and regenerating the flow electrode, and is capable of performing large-capacity deionization.

In water treatment fields such as water purification, wastewater treatment, and seawater desalination in preparation for water pollution and water shortages, development and research are being conducted on a process that allows water treatment with very low energy costs, that is, the capacitive deionization (CDI) process. It is becoming.

Recently, a new CDI approach called flow electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) has been proposed. It improves process efficiency by enlarging the electrode area for large-capacity water treatment, while eliminating the space limitations of taking up a lot of facility and equipment space. An immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization device that can overcome this problem has been developed.

FCDI is a flow electrode capacitive desalination process and is an electrochemical water treatment technology that shows excellent performance in removing ions. By utilizing flow electrodes, it is dramatically improved compared to the solid electrodes used in the existing desalination process (CDI) and membrane desalination process (MCDI). The increased surface area has the effect of improving ion adsorption performance.

However, as the deionization device using a flow electrode repeatedly performs the deionization process, the amount of ions in the flow electrode increases, which affects the ion saturation in the flow electrode, making operation of the flow electrode difficult. It can be.

To solve this problem, Republic of Korea Patent No. 1692387, which is an electrode regeneration technology used in existing flow electrodes, relates to a flow electrode device capable of electrode regeneration by electrical short circuit and a capacitive desalination device using the same. A flow electrode device capable of regenerating an electrode by integrating and short-circuiting a flow electrode and a flow electrode charged with negative ions is disclosed.

The above technology discloses a method of regenerating an electrode using an electrical short circuit by integrating a flow anode and a flow cathode. Although regeneration of the electrode is possible through an electrical short circuit, the amount of ions in the flow electrode as a whole increases. It is difficult to perform continuous deionization, and there are limitations in processing larger volumes.

In Korean Patent Application No. 2021-0186148, previously filed by the present inventor, compared to existing flow electrode deionization devices, process efficiency is improved by dramatically increasing the surface area of the electrode, while the flow anode and flow cathode are integrated and installed. A technology regarding a cartridge unit for multiple flow electrodes with reduced space and a immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization device using the same has been presented.

The present invention is an extension of the previous technology and enables large-capacity water treatment through continuous electrode regeneration of the immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization device, which can reduce installation space and greatly improve process performance efficiency. It relates to new technologies for integrated systems of deionization devices.

(0001) Republic of Korea Patent No. 1692387 (2016.12.28)

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, using a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device with improved ion adsorption performance compared to the existing desalting process or membrane desalting process, but with a dramatically improved processing capacity compared to the existing one. The object is to provide a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system equipped with continuous electrode regeneration means to have increased effectiveness.

The present invention provides a deionization system that can be easily expanded to a large area and reduces installation space by using a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device with improved deionization performance by maximizing the surface area to improve ion adsorption performance. The purpose is to provide

The present invention is a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system that separates and removes high concentration ion water from the mixture recovered from the flow electrode using a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device and a cyclone device, enabling continuous regeneration of the flow electrode. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to the present invention includes a submerged flow electrode reservoir and a cyclone that separates the mixture flowing from the submerged flow electrode reservoir into a solid mixture and a liquid mixture. an apparatus, comprising a flow electrode reservoir mixing water with the solid mixture separated from the cyclone device and an external reservoir supplying water to the flow electrode reservoir, wherein the submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system is separated from the cyclone device. It has a circulation structure in which the solid mixture flows into the submerged flow electrode reservoir.

In the present invention, the liquid mixture may include ions generated in the submerged flow electrode reservoir.

In the present invention, the submerged flow electrode reservoir may be connected to the cyclone device at an end in a first direction in which influent water flows.

In the present invention, the submerged flow electrode reservoir and the cyclone device may each be connected to a pump.

In the present invention, the immersed flow electrode reservoir includes a cartridge array unit in which a plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes are disposed in a state spaced apart from each other to face each other along a first direction in water filled therein, each of the cartridge units for the flow electrodes an inlet pipe connected in parallel to one of a pair of communication ports communicating the flow electrode channel inside the cartridge unit to the outside, through which the electrode solution flows into the flow electrode channel of each flow electrode cartridge unit, a pair of A discharge pipe connected in parallel to each other of the communication ports and through which the electrode solution flowing into the flow electrode channel is discharged out of the flow electrode channel, the plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes alternately in the first direction. It may include a cathode line and an anode line alternately connected in parallel to each electrode terminal of the plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes to form an anode and a cathode.

In detail, the plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes are arranged so that each pair of communication ports are arranged along the first direction, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe each extend along the first direction. It may be that they face each other opposite to each other.

In addition, the cartridge unit for flow electrode includes a pair of porous current collector plates facing each other while being spaced apart from each other in the first direction, as long as each is located on an outer surface of each of the porous current collector plates in the first direction. A pair of ion separators, a pair of porous current collectors, and a pair of ion separators wrapped so that each ion separator is exposed in the first direction, forming a flow electrode channel between the pair of porous current collectors. It may include a channel frame, a pair of communication ports formed on the channel frame and communicating the flow electrode channel to the outside, and an electrode terminal formed on the channel frame and electrically connected to the porous current collector plate.

According to the present invention, the present invention is intended to solve the above problems, using a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device with improved ion adsorption performance compared to the existing desalting process or membrane desalting process, but compared to the existing deionization process. It has the effect of continuously regenerating electrodes so that the processing capacity is dramatically increased.

The present invention improves ion adsorption performance by maximizing the surface area, so that it is possible to easily increase the area by using a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device with improved deionization performance, and has the effect of reducing installation space.

The present invention consists of a structure in which a immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization device and a cyclone device are circulated in one system, thereby reducing the ion concentration of the mixture recovered from the flow electrode and enabling continuous regeneration of the flow electrode. An electrode capacitive deionization system is provided.

1 is a schematic diagram of a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device included in the submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of a solid mixture and a liquid mixture in a cyclone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, each configuration of the present invention will be described in more detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement it. However, this is only an example, and the scope of rights of the present invention is determined by the following contents. Not limited.

As used herein, “preferred” or “preferably” refers to an embodiment of the invention that has certain advantages under certain conditions. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different conditions. Additionally, the identification of one or more preferred embodiments does not mean that other embodiments are not useful, nor does it exclude other embodiments that are within the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is used to list materials, compositions, devices, and methods useful in the present invention and is not limited to the listed examples.

In particular, in the present invention, the term "comprising" refers to various states, such as a state in which the component is included as is, a state in which the component is processed as a precursor, a state in which the component is satisfied after processing, etc. It is not limited to the examples listed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since this is described as an example for understanding the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the contents below.

1 is a schematic diagram of a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to an integrated device system for flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) and flow electrode regeneration. By introducing an immersion type module, installation space is reduced, processing performance and electrode capacity are increased, and deionization performance is controlled. effects can be obtained.

In addition, the convenience of operation management is secured by integrating the supply and recovery lines of the flow electrode on the positive ion side and the flow electrode on the negative ion side, and the flow electrode is regenerated to a certain level due to an electrical short in the integrated line, enabling continuous process operation. do.

In addition, it relates to a technology that can perform deionization and regeneration of the flow electrode at the same time by introducing an additional cyclone device, thereby ensuring the operational sustainability of the overall system.

Specifically, the submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to the present invention includes a submerged flow electrode reservoir (100) and a cyclone device (200) that separates the mixture flowing from the submerged flow electrode reservoir into a solid mixture and a liquid mixture. , A submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system comprising a flow electrode reservoir 300 for mixing water with the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device and an external reservoir 400 for additionally injecting water into the flow electrode reservoir, The submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system has a circulation structure in which the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device flows into the submerged flow electrode reservoir.

That is, the immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to the present invention uses a plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes and is capable of performing a deionization process using an immersed flow electrode using one flow electrode reservoir. , As the deionization process is repeatedly operated, the amount of ions in the water tank increases, making continuous operation possible by solving the problem of difficulty in operating the flow electrode.

Moreover, it is possible to integrate the flow anode and flow cathode using one water reservoir, which has the advantage of significantly reducing the installation space. This has the effect of greatly increasing the amount of water treatment compared to the installation space.

In the present invention, the regeneration effect obtained through the removal of ions attached to the flow electrode material can be utilized by using an electrical short circuit that can cause a certain level of regeneration of the flow electrode. However, when using this method, the entire flow electrode is not used. Since there is a problem with increasing ion concentration, we propose a technology that enables continuous regeneration of electrodes by solving this problem.

Figure 1 shows a submerged flow electrode reservoir connected to the submerged flow electrode reservoir, and the mixture in the submerged flow electrode reservoir, whose ion concentration has increased as a result of the deionization process, is separated into a solid mixture and a liquid mixture, of which ions of high concentration are included. A cyclone device that removes the liquid mixture and allows only the solid mixture to flow back into the submerged flow electrode reservoir and an external reservoir that additionally adds water to the solid mixture are disclosed.

In the drawing, depending on the ion concentration of the water moving through each component, the higher the ion concentration, the thicker the arrow is, and the lower the ion concentration, the thinner the arrow.

The submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to the present invention mixes the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device with water and flows it back into the submerged flow electrode reservoir, thereby removing the liquid mixture in which high concentration ions are dissolved. , the solid mixture is configured to circulate within the flow electrode again.

The cyclone device serves to immerse the solid mixture, which is particulate matter, downward and separate and remove the liquid mixture to the top by centrifugal force and gravity.

By removing the liquid mixture in which the high concentration of ions formed in the flow electrode are dissolved, ions are removed from the entire flow electrode, which has the effect of regenerating the flow electrode.

The solid mixture containing a conductive material such as activated carbon is added to improve the overall conductivity of the flow electrode solution and to adsorb and remove ions that have passed from raw water to the flow electrode channel, passing through the submerged flow electrode reservoir. The mixture containing a high content of ions may be separated from the liquid mixture containing a high content of ions through a cyclone device, and then re-introduced into the submerged flow electrode reservoir to adsorb and remove ions.

Since the viscosity of the separated solid mixture increases after removing the liquid mixture containing a high content of ions through a cyclone device, the viscosity is adjusted in the flow electrode reservoir and then re-introduced into the submerged flow electrode reservoir.

In the flow electrode reservoir, the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device is mixed with water to lower the viscosity. An external water reservoir supplies water flowing into the flow electrode reservoir. At this time, it is preferable that the water added is low-concentration water with a low ion concentration.

The solution containing a solid mixture such as activated carbon, the viscosity of which has been adjusted in the flow electrode reservoir, is again introduced into the submerged flow electrode reservoir in the form of inflow water, so that the flow electrode deionization device can be operated continuously.

The submerged flow electrode water tank is a part of the submerged flow electrode deionization device, and the deionization process is performed by operating the water tank filled with water and the submerged flow electrode immersed in the water.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization device included in the submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For a description of the immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization device to be described later, refer to the contents of the previously mentioned Korean Patent Application No. 2021-0186148.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cartridge array unit 20 in which a plurality of cartridge units 11 and 12 for flow electrodes are disposed in spaced apart state to face each other along a first direction (water flow direction) in water filled therein; It is connected in parallel to one of a pair of communication ports that communicate the flow electrode channel inside each flow electrode cartridge unit to the outside, so that the electrode solution flows into the flow electrode channel of each flow electrode cartridge unit. A pipe 32, a discharge pipe 31 connected in parallel to the other one of the pair of communication ports through which the electrode solution flowing into the flow electrode channel is discharged outside the flow electrode channel, the plurality of flows Cathode lines 42 and anode lines 41 respectively connected alternately in parallel to each electrode terminal of the plurality of flow electrode cartridge units so that the electrode cartridge units alternately form anodes and cathodes in the first direction. It can be configured to include.

As will be described later, the cartridge array unit performs a deionization process of incoming water while the cartridge units for immersed flow electrodes are arranged to face each other and spaced apart in a first direction and are immersed in the water storage tank.

The first direction represents the direction in which the influent water flows out from the direction in which the influent water flows, that is, the water flow direction. At the end of the first direction, that is, the area where the influent water flows out, the concentration of ions is relatively high according to the operation of the flow electrode. High water levels can be maintained temporarily and momentarily.

After continuously operating the deionization process, when the end of the first direction is temporarily and instantaneously reached, water with a high ion concentration can be moved to the flow electrode regeneration tank through a flow path connected to the end.

By moving water with a high ion concentration to the flow electrode regeneration tank, the inflow of influent water is further promoted and the ion concentration of water in the submerged flow electrode storage tank is maintained low, allowing the deionization process to be continuously performed.

A pair of communication ports for communicating the flow electrode channel formed inside the cartridge unit for an immersed flow electrode to the outside are connected to an inlet pipe through which the electrode solution flows in and an discharge pipe through which the electrode solution is discharged to the outside after flowing through the flow electrode channel.

Meanwhile, the cathode line and the anode line are alternately connected to each electrode terminal of a plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes so that the cartridge units for flow electrodes alternately form anodes and cathodes in the first direction.

For example, when connecting the cathode line to the electrode terminal of the first cartridge unit among the plurality of flow electrode cartridge units located at the very beginning of the starting point in the first direction of the cartridge array, the electrode of the adjacent second cartridge unit Just as an anode line is connected to a terminal, cathode lines and anode lines are alternately connected to electrode terminals, respectively.

In order to move the mixture containing ions generated by the operation of the flow electrode from the submerged flow electrode reservoir, inflow water, and additives added to promote the reaction of the flow electrode in the reservoir, water movement such as a pump 510 is used. Facilitating means are available.

Likewise, in order to move the solid mixture containing a conductive material such as activated carbon separated in the cyclone device to the submerged flow electrode reservoir, a pump 520, etc. can be used as a means to promote the movement of the solid mixture in the slurry state. .

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of a solid mixture and a liquid mixture in a cyclone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 3, the cyclone device will be described in more detail.

The mixture moves to the cyclone device, rotates the mixture and uses centrifugal force and gravity to separate the solid mixture at the bottom and the liquid mixture at the top.

In FIG. 3, the pipe protruding toward the side is an injection port through which the mixture is injected into the cyclone device, and the pipe protruding upward is a liquid mixture discharge port through which the liquid mixture separated to the top by solid-liquid separation is discharged. At the bottom of the cyclone device is a solid mixture outlet that is connected to the submerged flow electrode reservoir and discharges the solid mixture.

As described above, the solid mixture obtained by separation at the bottom contains particulate matter as an additive to promote and assist the reaction within the flow electrode, and the liquid mixture obtained by separation at the top contains a high concentration of ions, so they are separated and removed. By doing so, the amount of ions in the flow electrode is reduced.

In this way, the solid mixture separated using the cyclone device is allowed to flow back into the submerged flow electrode reservoir to form a circulation system.

At this time, the solid mixture is introduced into the submerged flow electrode reservoir by adding water supplied from the external reservoir to the flow electrode reservoir, so that the solid mixture with poor fluidity can easily be introduced into the submerged flow electrode reservoir. do.

To further promote the movement of the solid mixture into the submerged flow electrode reservoir, movement promoting means such as a pump can be used.

Hereinafter, the description will be made based on an embodiment of the submerged flow electrode deionization device constituting the submerged flow electrode deionization system of the present invention and the cartridge unit for submerged flow electrode constituting the same, but for understanding of the present invention. As such, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge array unit includes a plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes arranged to face each other and to be spaced apart along the first direction in which the inflow water flows.

The cartridge unit for the flow electrode is configured in the form of a cartridge and can be used as a cathode or an anode depending on the electrode to which it is connected.

The plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes constituting the cartridge array include a pair of porous current collector plates, a pair of ion separators, a channel frame, a pair of communication ports, and electrode terminals.

The pair of porous current collector plates are arranged to face each other while being spaced apart from each other in a first direction, that is, the flow direction of inflow water. Here, the porous current collector plate has a conductive porous structure and may be made of, for example, carbon, metal materials, conductive polymers, etc.

The pair of ion separation membranes are located on the outer surface of each porous current collector in the first direction. Here, the ion separation membrane may be composed of a dense membrane that blocks passage of the electrode solution, which will be described later, and selectively allows only cations or anions to pass through. For example, various types of ion separation membranes that can selectively separate ions, such as ion exchange membranes and nanofiltration membranes, can be used.

The channel frame supports a pair of porous current collectors and a pair of ion separators stacked so that each ion separator is exposed on both sides in the first direction, wrapped around the four sides of the thick portion, so that the laminate is formed. It maintains its shape and serves as a solid support to function as a flow electrode.

The pair of communication openings are formed on one of four side portions of the channel frame surrounding the laminate, and communicate the flow electrode channels formed between the porous current collector plates to the outside.

The plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes are arranged such that each pair of communication ports are arranged along the first direction, so that the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe face each other while extending along the first direction. It can be configured to face each other.

However, this can be selected according to need, such as for the purpose of manufacturing or facility convenience, and can be transformed into various forms without being limited to the corresponding form.

The cartridge unit for a flow electrode includes a pair of porous current collector plates facing each other and spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and a pair of porous current collector plates each located on an outer surface of the porous current collector in the first direction. An ion separator, a channel frame surrounding the pair of porous current collector plates and the pair of ion separators such that each ion separator is exposed in the first direction to form a flow electrode channel between the pair of porous current collector plates. , It may include a pair of communication ports formed in the channel frame and communicating the flow electrode channel to the outside, and an electrode terminal formed in the channel frame and electrically connected to the porous current collector plate.

However, for a detailed explanation regarding this, please refer to the explanation regarding the submerged flow electrode.

11, 12: Cartridge unit for flow electrode
20: Cartridge array unit
31: discharge pipe
32: Inlet pipe
41: anode line
42: cathode line
100: Submerged flow electrode reservoir
200: Cyclone device
300: Flow electrode reservoir
400: External water tank
510, 520: pump

Claims (7)

Submerged flow electrode reservoir;
a cyclone device that separates the mixture flowing from the submerged flow electrode reservoir into a solid mixture and a liquid mixture;
a flow electrode reservoir that mixes the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device with water; and
an external water tank that supplies water to the flow electrode water tank;
A submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system comprising:
The submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system has a circulation structure in which the solid mixture separated in the cyclone device flows into the submerged flow electrode reservoir,
The submerged flow electrode reservoir,
A cartridge array unit in which a plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes are disposed to face each other and be spaced apart along a first direction in water filled therein;
It is connected in parallel to one of a pair of communication ports that communicate the flow electrode channel inside each flow electrode cartridge unit to the outside, and the electrode solution flows into the flow electrode channel of each flow electrode cartridge unit. pipe,
A discharge pipe connected in parallel to each other of the pair of communication ports through which the electrode solution flowing into the flow electrode channel is discharged outside the flow electrode channel;
The plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes include cathode lines and anode lines alternately connected in parallel to each electrode terminal of the plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes to form anodes and cathodes alternately in the first direction. A submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system.
According to paragraph 1,
A submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system, wherein the liquid mixture includes ions generated in the submerged flow electrode reservoir.
According to paragraph 1,
The submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system wherein the submerged flow electrode reservoir is connected to the cyclone device at an end of the first direction in which the influent water flows.
According to paragraph 1,
The submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system, wherein the submerged flow electrode reservoir and the cyclone device are each connected to a pump.
delete According to paragraph 1,
The plurality of cartridge units for flow electrodes are arranged so that each pair of communication ports are arranged along the first direction, so that the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe face each other while extending along the first direction. Immersed flow electrode capacitive deionization system.
According to paragraph 1,
The cartridge unit for a flow electrode includes a pair of porous current collector plates facing each other and spaced apart from each other in the first direction;
a pair of ion separation membranes each positioned on an outer surface of each porous current collector in the first direction;
a channel frame surrounding the pair of porous current collectors and the pair of ion separators so that each of the ion separators is exposed in the first direction, forming a flow electrode channel between the pair of porous current collectors;
a pair of communication ports formed in the channel frame and communicating the flow electrode channel to the outside; and
A submerged flow electrode capacitive deionization system comprising an electrode terminal formed on the channel frame and electrically connected to the porous current collector.

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