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Capacitive deionization desalination by electricity localization

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  • Zhang, Wanshi
  • Li, Xiuwei
  • Cheng, Feng

Abstract

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is considered as a promising desalination technology, but its practical application is limited by its desalination performance. To break this limitation, an efficient CDI desalination system based on the electricity localization method is proposed: it minimizes the distance between electrodes with capillary-driven liquid transportation to localize the electricity energy in a narrow space, resulting in a strong driving force of salt removal. The energy and mass transfer enhancement mechanism of electricity localization has been investigated. The real effect of the electricity localization method has been revealed by experiments. For 35000 ppm NaCl solution, the maximum specific adsorption capacity, the maximum overall salt removal efficiency and the maximum charge efficiency attain 297.94 mg/g, 75.7 % and 58.4 %, respectively. The efficiency has been improved by 1000 % compared with the present results with the same electrode material. Owing to the enhanced efficiency, the seawater desalination using solid electrodes is first realized by the electricity localization method. In addition, the energy storage characteristic has been demonstrated experimentally. This new method not only improves the desalination performance but also reduces the energy consumption, capital cost and complexity, which has the potential to become a reliable solution to freshwater resources shortage.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Wanshi & Li, Xiuwei & Cheng, Feng, 2025. "Capacitive deionization desalination by electricity localization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:340:y:2025:i:c:s036054422504945x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139303
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