STTR Phase I: Desalination Batteries for Energy-Efficient Desalination and Selective Chloride Removal

这项小型企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响是，通过开发一种称为脱盐电池的新脱盐技术，全面解决与水处理、环境保护和资源回收有关的问题。人口的稳定增长和工业的快速发展导致了对清洁水生产的更大需求。与此同时，人为活动、农业实践和废水处理导致天然淡水资源盐碱化。海水淡化电池结合了海水淡化和发电的功能，以减少与海水淡化相关的能源和成本，解决了水能关系交叉点的挑战。拟议研究的目标是通过评估实际给水类型中存在的各种溶液组分对性能的影响来加速海水淡化电池的商业化。该项目还将为有问题的解决方案组成部分制定缓解计划。海水淡化电池的成功开发将有助于保障淡水资源的获取，并确保充足的水供应，这对促进美国公众的健康和福利至关重要。该技术的商业化还将为研究人员和工程师创造就业机会，从而产生积极的经济影响。该STTR项目的目标是进一步开发一种新的海水淡化技术，即海水淡化电池，该技术基于铋（Bi）作为氯（Cl）存储电极与钠（Na）存储电极的专利使用。海水淡化电池在充电和放电过程中储存和释放能量。这些过程伴随着Na+和Cl-的储存和释放。由于充电时消耗的能量在放电时被回收，因此海水淡化所需的净能量大大减少。此外，由于Na+和Cl-通过离子特异性电极反应去除，它使无膜脱盐成为可能。虽然已经证明了对NaCl的有效去除，但实际废水和海水中存在的各种其他溶液组分的影响仍然未知。本文的目标是准确评估不同盐度、pH条件以及实际给水中存在的各种无机和有机物质对海水淡化电池性能的影响。该项目还将为任何有问题的解决方案组成部分制定缓解计划。准确的技术经济计算将用于优先考虑最有希望的给水目标，并为特定应用制定量身定制的商业化计划。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is in comprehensively addressing issues related to water treatment, environment protection, and resource recovery through the development of a new desalination technology called a desalination battery. Steady growth in human population and rapid industrial development have led to greater demands for clean water production. At the same time, anthropogenic activities, agricultural practices, and the disposal of wastewater have led to the salinization of natural freshwater resources. The desalination battery combines the functions of desalination and energy generation to reduce the energy and costs associated with desalination, addressing challenges at the intersection of the water-energy nexus. The goal of the proposed research is to accelerate the commercialization of the desalination battery by evaluating the effects of various solution components present in real feedwater types on performance. The project will also establish mitigation plans for problematic solution components. Successful development of the desalination battery will help to safeguard access to freshwater resources and ensure an adequate water supply, which are essential to advance the health and welfare of the American public. Commercialization of the proposed technology will also create jobs for researchers and engineers making a positive economic impact. The goal of this STTR project is to further develop a new desalination technology, a desalination battery, which is based on the patented use of bismuth (Bi) as a chloride (Cl)-storage electrode in combination with a sodium (Na)-storage electrode. The desalination battery stores and releases energy during the charging and discharging processes. These processes are coupled with the storage and release of Na+ and Cl-. As the energy consumed during charging is recovered during discharging, the net energy required for desalination is drastically reduced. Furthermore, since Na+ and Cl- are removed via ion-specific electrode reactions, it enables membrane-free desalination. While efficient removal of NaCl has been demonstrated, the effects of various other solution components present in real wastewater and seawater are still unknown. The goal of the proposed work is to accurately evaluate the effects of different salinities, pH conditions, and various inorganic and organic species present in real feedwater on the performance of the desalination battery. The project will also develop mitigation plans for any problematic solution components. Accurate technoeconomic calculations will be used to prioritize the most promising feedwater targets and to develop a tailored commercialization plan for specific applications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.