Carbon Electrode Driven Electrodialysis

Electrodialysis processes require the application of an electric field in order to drive the migration of ions and cause deionization.  The conventional approach is to utilize metal electrodes (Stainless Steel for the cathode and noble metals for the anode) and perform water electrolysis at the surface of the electrodes to create the electric field.  The byproducts of water electrolysis, i.e. acid, base, and hydrogen, oxygen and chlorine gas, can cause system complexity, extra cost and environmental, health and safety concerns.  To address these issues GE has develop a new capacitive carbon electrode to be used in electrodialysis reversal stacks which mitigates all of these concerns.  In this presentation a detailed look at the electrodes design and operational parameters will be discussed, with reference to specific case studies from a number of field sites in rural and isolated communities.