Patent ID: 8002963

Claim:
A method of deionizing a fluid, said method comprising: (a) allowing a fluid containing ions to flow through a flow channel in fluid communication with at least two electrodes, wherein at least one of said electrodes comprises a pore structure such that said electrode is a porous electrode having a pore volume containing pore volume ions; (b) applying an electrical potential difference over said at least two electrodes to form an electric field between said electrodes, whereby at least one of said electrodes has a capacitive charge; (c) allowing electrostatic adsorption of ions from said fluid in said flow channel onto said electrodes by the applied electrical potential difference, and allowing said porous electrode to expel at least a portion of said pore volume ions from electrode pores; and (d) allowing an electrical potential to exist between said flow channel and said porous electrode, whereby at least a portion of said expelled pore volume ions are retained in said electrode by the electrical potential.