A three-chamber bioelectrodialysis cell that simultaneously generates power, removes salts from the middle chamber, and recovers specific target ions across ion-selective membranes. A single device produces electricity, freshwater, and purified ion streams from waste brines.
Alleinstellungsmerkmale
A single device recovers freshwater, harvests valuable ions (Li⁺, NH₄⁺, PO₄³⁻), and generates power — converting "waste" brines into three product streams.
Funktionsweise
A three-chamber stack places a desalination chamber between anode and cathode chambers, separated by ion-exchange membranes (AEM near anode, CEM near cathode). The bioelectrochemical potential drives ion migration out of the middle chamber: cations exit toward the cathode, anions toward the anode, leaving behind desalinated water. Membrane selection or sequential staging targets specific ions for recovery.
Leistungsbereich
Salt removal40–90% per pass
Energy balanceNet producer to mild consumer (−0.5 to +0.3 kWh/m³)
Ion recovery50–95% (target-dependent)
Current density5–30 A/m²
Membrane life1–3 years
Forschungsstand
TRL 4–5 with pilot demos at Tsinghua, MSU, and Wetsus. Strong synergy with circular-economy and critical-minerals policy. Bottlenecks: membrane fouling, selectivity for target ions over competitors, and capital cost versus reverse osmosis.
Reaktorgeometrie
Three rectangular chambers in a clamped stainless stack, each 1–30 L; AEM and CEM membranes (200–2000 cm² each); carbon-brush anode, Pt/C or stainless cathode; spacer-defined flow paths.
Anwendungen
- Brackish water desalination
- Lithium recovery from geothermal or oil-and-gas brines
- Ammonium recovery from urine and digestate
- Phosphate recovery from wastewater
- Industrial brine valorization
Aktives Volumen
0.5 – 50 L per chamber