Stack assembly comprising a hollow external housing having a central axis, the external housing extending from a first end to a second end and enclosing a housing space, and a membrane stack comprising a plurality of membranes, wherein the membrane slack is positionable inside the external housing and a number of side plates extending substantially parallel to the central axis, wherein each side plate of the number of side plates is associated with a side of the membrane stack and extending along the associated side and a number of sealing connectors that extend substantially parallel to the central axis and adjacent with an inner surface of the external housing, wherein each sealing connector of the number of sealing connectors is configured to connect two side plates to each other, wherein the sealing connectors and the side plates cooperate to form an enclosing structure, and wherein, in use of the stack assembly, the enclosing structure encloses the membrane stack. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a stack assembly and a method for generating energy or performing an electrodialysis process.
− The invention relates to a capacitive electrode comprising:an electrode housing comprising: ~ a number of housing walls that enclose a housing space; and ~ an opening that is operatively connected to the housing space, and wherein the opening is configured to be positioned adjacent an end membrane of a membrane stack; − a capacitive layer that is positioned in the housing space; − a current feeder that is positioned in the housing space and that is in electrical contact with the capacitive layer; − a gel layer that is positioned in contact with the capacitive layer; wherein the gel layer is provided in or adjacent to the opening such that the gel layer seals the opening, or wherein the gel layer is positioned near a bottom housing wall of the housing and the current feeder is positioned in or near the opening.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
B01D 61/00 - Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltrationApparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
C02F 1/00 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
C02F 1/469 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrochemical separation, e.g. by electro-osmosis, electrodialysis, electrophoresis
3.
MEMBRANE STACK, STACK ASSEMBLY AND FOLDABLE MEMBRANE
The present invention relates to a membrane stack, stack assembly, foldable membrane, and a method for manufacturing such membrane. The membrane stack comprises a number of membranes that are positioned adjacent each other to form a membrane stack, wherein each membrane of the number of membranes has a central section and two foldable edge sections that are positioned on opposite sides of the central section of the membrane, and wherein each foldable edge section is folded around an associated edge of an adjacent membrane in the membrane stack.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
Stack assembly comprising a hollow external housing having a central axis, the external housing extending from a first end to a second end and enclosing a housing space, and a membrane stack comprising a plurality of membranes, wherein the membrane slack is positionable inside the external housing and a number of side plates extending substantially parallel to the central axis, wherein each side plate of the number of side plates is associated with a side of the membrane stack and extending along the associated side and a number of sealing connectors that extend substantially parallel to the central axis and adjacent with an inner surface of the external housing, wherein each sealing connector of the number of sealing connectors is configured to connect two side plates to each other, wherein the sealing connectors and the side plates cooperate to form an enclosing structure, and wherein, in use of the stack assembly, the enclosing structure encloses the membrane stack. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a stack assembly and a method for generating energy or performing an electrodialysis process.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
The invention relates to a flow distributor for a membrane stack of a stack assembly, the flow distributor comprising a housing comprising an inner space, wherein the inner space is operatively connectable to a number of flow openings of a membrane slack, and a plurality of flow distributor elements, wherein the plurality of flow distributor elements is at least partially positioned in the inner space and fill at least part of the inner space, and wherein the flow distributor is configured to be positioned in a fluid flow path of a stack assembly such that a flow of fluid at least partially flows through the plurality of flow distributor elements, and wherein the fluid flow path extends from at least one feed opening towards at least one discharge opening. The invention further relates to a stack assembly comprising a flow distributor, a flow distributor element, a method for manufacturing a stack assembly comprising a flow distributor and a method for generating energy and/or desalinating a fluid.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
6.
METHOD FOR FOULING REDUCTION IN MEMBRANE BASED FLUID-FLOW PROCESSES, AND DEVICE CAPABLE OF PERFORMING SUCH METHOD
The invention relates to a method for fouling reduction and/or fouling removal and/or prevention of fouling in membrane based fluid-flow processes, such as ED, RED, EDR, CDI, fuel cells, filtration, flow batteries, and a device capable of performing such methods. The method comprises the steps of: - providing a dynamic membrane stack with a number of membranes, the stack capable of changing the average inter-membrane distance between two adjacent membranes with the inter-membrane distance being the distance between the membrane surfaces of two adjacent membranes; - performing the membrane based fluid-flow process in a first state with the stack having a first set of average inter-membrane distances; - switching the membrane based fluid-flow process between the first state and a second state wherein the stack having a second set of average inter-membrane distances different from the first set; and - performing the membrane based fluid-flow process in the second state, wherein, at least in an initiating phase, fouling is removed and/or reduced and/or prevented.
The present invention relates to a membrane stack and device for a membrane based process and method therefore. The membrane stack comprises: a number of membranes (78) forming compartments; and fluid supply and discharge means (80) for supplying and discharging a fluid to the compartments such that the fluid is supplied and discharged substantially in the plane of the membrane of the membrane stack. Preferably, the fluid supply and discharge means are provided on opposite sides of the membrane stack. Further, the invention relates to a method of forming the membranes (78).
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
The present invention relates to a membrane stack and device for a membrane based process and method therefore. The membrane stack comprises: a number of membranes (78) forming compartments; and fluid supply and discharge means (80) for supplying and discharging a fluid to the compartments such that the fluid is supplied and discharged substantially in the plane of the membrane of the membrane stack. Preferably, the fluid supply and discharge means are provided on opposite sides of the membrane stack. Further, the invention relates to a method of forming the membranes (78).
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
9.
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY THAT USES SOLUTIONS WITH DIFFERENT IONIC CONCENTRATION
A device and related method for producing electrical energy, in the form of current flowing in a load. The said method uses two solutions with different ionic concentration as energy source. The said device includes at least two electrodes immersed at least partially in a liquid contained in a cell. The method includes a plurality of phases. Among them, a phase in which the electrodes and are brought into contact with a first solution; a phase in which they are electrically charged; a phase in which they are brought into contact with a second solution; a phase in which at least a part of the accumulated charge is let flow through the load. The energy provided to the load is more than the energy used to charge the electrodes.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
Goods & Services
Power generation plants. Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.
11.
MEMBRANE, CELL, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR (REVERSE) ELECTRODIALYSIS
Membrane, cell and device suitable for reverse electrodialysis for the purpose of generating electricity, and methods therefor, the membrane comprising a number of channels arranged on at least a first side of the membrane, wherein the channels are suitable for throughfeed of a fluid, wherein the dimensions of the channels are aimed at obtaining a laminar flow of the fluid in the channels.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
Device and method for performing electrolyses, such as a reverse electrodialysis process, comprising: - a first compartment provided with at least a first and a second electrode; - a second compartment separated from the first compartment and provided with at least a first and a second electrode; - a switching element (28) for switching between a first electricity-generating mode, in which the first electrodes are mutually connected, and a second electricity-generating mode in which the second electrodes are mutually connected; and - at least one cation exchange membrane (10) and anion exchange membrane (8), which are placed alternately between the first and second compartment, and wherein the high and low- osmotic electrolyte solutions, which are provided alternately between the membranes, change position during the switch from the first to the second electricity- generating mode.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
13.
IMPROVED DEVICE FOR PERFORMING A REVERSE ELECTRODIALYSIS PROCESS, AND IMPROVED METHODS FOR PERFORMING A REVERSE ELECTRODIALYSIS PROCESS
The invention relates to a device for performing a reverse electrodialysis process. The device is characterized in that it comprises means to limit transport of multivalent ions from the low-osmotic electrolyte solutions to the high-osmotic electrolyte solutions. The invention also relates to a method for generating electric energy using the device according to the invention.
H01M 8/22 - Fuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising carbon or oxygen or hydrogen and other elementsFuel cells in which the fuel is based on materials comprising only elements other than carbon, oxygen or hydrogen
14.
REINFORCED ION-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE COMPRISED OF A SUPPORT, AND LAMINATED THEREON, A POLYMERIC FILM
The present invention relates to a reinforced ion- exchange membrane comprised of a porous support matrix and, laminated thereon, an polymeric film. Specifically, the present invention relates to a reinforced ion-exchange membrane comprising a porous support matrix and, laminated on at least on side thereof, a polymeric film, wherein the porous support matrix has no electric resistance as measured in the six compartment configuration and wherein the polymeric film comprises a polymer functionalized with charged moieties in a degree of at least 50%.
