Optimization of Electrode Design for Electrodialysis Reversal

   The main advantages of electrodialysis reversal (EDR) technology are high water recovery and great resistance to scaling and fouling. These attractive characteristics make EDR particularly promising in a world of increasing water shortage where communities turn to treating impaired groundwater sources to supplement their supply. However, the relatively high cost of EDR today hinders widespread deployment of this technology, motivating efforts to improve its efficiency. This work targets the electrode, one of the principal components of an EDR device which provides the driving force for desalination.
The shape and functionality of electrodes impacts performance and stack life as well as the operation cost associated with the current utilization and efficiency. The geometric relationship between electrode and membrane also determines the distribution of current density throughout the surface of the electrode and membranes, which in turn dictates the effective limiting current for the membranes. The goal of this work is to develop methods of evaluating current distribution in the stack and compare the optimum electrode design.