METHOD OF PROVIDING A CHARGE BARRIER FLOW-THROUGH CAPACITOR SYSTEM
Flow-through capacitors are provided with one or more charge barrier layers. Ions trapped in the pore volume of flow-through capacitors cause inefficiencies as these ions are expelled during the charge cycle into the purification path. A charge barrier layer holds these pore volume ions to one side of a desired flow stream, thereby increasing the efficiency with which the flow-through capacitor purifies or concentrates ions.
1 . A method of providing a flow through capacitor system comprising:
(a) providing a plurality of electrodes comprising an electrode material having a surface area for electrostatic adsorption of ions, wherein one or more of said plurality of electrodes comprises a pore volume which causes pore volume loss; and
(b) enhancing the ionic efficiency of said flow-through capacitor by compensating for said pore volume loss.
2 . A method of providing a flow through capacitor system comprising:
(a) providing a plurality of electrodes comprising an electrode material having a surface area for electrostatic adsorption of ions wherein one or more of said plurality of electrodes comprises a pore volume whereby said pore volume adsorbs and expels pore volume ions; and
(b) reducing said adsorption and expulsion of pore volume ions.
3 . A method of providing a flow through capacitor system comprising:
(a) providing a plurality of electrodes comprising an electrode material having a surface area for electrostatic adsorption of feed ions wherein one or more of said plurality of electrodes comprises a pore volume containing pore ions; and
(b) providing an excess of feed ions to pore volume ions.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising a feed stream having a flow rate, and altering said flow rate.
5 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising a source of voltage to said flow-through capacitor, and altering said voltage.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said altering said voltage comprises a shunt.
7 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising recovering energy from said flow-through capacitor.
8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said flow-through capacitor has a polarity and further comprises reversing said polarity.