Patent ID: 6998044
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: B01D,B01J,C02F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use in purifying water that contains suspended and dissolved solids, comprising: (a) a retentate chamber sized and adapted to receive a selected volume of fluid, (b) a permeate chamber adjacent the retentate chamber and sized and adapted to receive a selected volume of fluid; (c) a filter membrane interposed between the retentate chamber and the permeate chamber, (d) a diluting chamber sized and adapted to receive a selected volume of said permeate, (e) a first conduit interconnecting said permeate chamber and said diluting chamber and operative to establish fluid communication therebetween; (f) an outlet communicating with the diluting chamber and operative to receive deionized water therefrom; (g) a cation concentrating chamber adjacent the diluting chamber; (h) a cation-selective membrane interposed between the diluting chamber and the cation-concentrating chamber, (i) an anion-concentrating chamber adjacent the diluting chamber; (j) an anion-selective membrane interposed between the diluting chamber and the anion-concentrating chamber, (k) a second conduit communicating with at least one of the retentate chamber, cation-concentrating chamber and anion-concentrating chamber and adapted to receive the suspended and dissolved solids therefrom; (l) at least one cathode and anode operative to create an electric field across said retentate chamber, permeate chamber, diluting chamber, cation-concentrating chamber and anion-concentrating chamber; and (m) wherein said chamber are formed by a plurality of alternating membranes and spacers.