Method of providing a charge barrier flow-through capacitor system

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.