Novel Lightweight Electro-Capacitive Desalination System for Drinking Water

A compact lightweight electronic device will desalinate sea water for drinking. The process is based on capacitive deionization of water. The process can be compared with charging a capacitor. The device will consume very little current. The technical approach is different from ion exchange techniques. It is completely different from an activated charcoal system, in the sense that ionic contaminants are carried in a charged double layer. When the electrical power is switched off, the system will release the captured ionic species. This rejuvenates the system. The technology will be designed into a small lightweight, hand held device for use by an individual soldier, to desalt water for drinking. the device is expected to remove pathogens, suspended materials, and dissolved solids (including heavy metals) from fresh, brakish and salt water. Design capacity of the unit will be at least two liters per day of drinking water. The unit will be designed to be easily transported and operated by its user. Phase I activity will include surveying of the range of alternative technologies; and comparing performance of the best of these against the performance of a prototype model of a capacitive deionization unit. During Phase I, the optimum operating parameters for the capacitive deionization system will be defined based on preliminary testing.