Performance of activated carbon coated graphite bipolar electrodes on capacitive deionization method for salinity reduction

Abstract

• Graphite bipolar electrodes act as an appropriate bed for the CDI process.

• Activated carbon Coating improves the application of the electrodes.

• CDI is an environmentally friendly method to apply for brackish water.

• Initial concentration is the most important parameter in the CDI method.

• CDI process in a batch-mode setup needs more development.

This research investigates a capacitive deionization method for salinity reduction in a batch reactor as a new approach for desalination. Reductions of cost and energy compared with conventional desalination methods are the significant advantages of this approach. In this research, experiments were performed with a pair of graphite bipolar electrodes that were coated with a one-gram activated carbon solution. After completing preliminary tests, the impacts of four parameters on electrical conductivity reduction, including (1) the initial concentration of feed solution, (2) the duration of the tests, (3) the applied voltage, and (4) the pH of the solution, were examined. The results show that the maximum efficiency of electrical conductivity reduction in this laboratory-scale reactor is about 55%. Furthermore, the effects of the initial concentration of feed solution are more significant than the other parameters. Thus, using the capacitive deionization method for water desalination with low and moderate salt concentrations (i.e., brackish water) is proposed as an affordable method. Compared with conventional desalination methods, capacitive deionization is not only more efficient but also potentially more environmentally friendly.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Capacitive deionization (CDI) / Desalination / Electrical conductivity (EC) / Graphite bipolar electrode / Activated carbon coated (ACC)

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