Flow-electrodes for salt recycling

Working group: RG Wessling

Project Description:

Capacitive deionization with flow electrodes is an electrochemical process for desalination of water. The technology allows the desalination of a wastewater stream and the simultaneous concentration of a second process stream. In this way, valuable salts can be directly recycled, e.g. in industrial processes. The driving force for desalination is electrical voltage between two working electrodes. Contact with the working electrodes electrically charges activated carbon particles in the flow electrodes. In the electric field, salt ions from the feed solution move across ion exchange membranes into the flow electrodes and accumulate in the electrochemical double layer on the surface of the activated carbon particles. By suitably interconnecting the flow electrodes, a continuous desalination and concentration process can be realized in a single module.

On the way to an industrially applicable process, we have a number of exciting tasks for which we need you and your ideas! Possible topics include the design and construction of new desalination modules, measurements to investigate ion selectivity or the local dissolution of salt concentrations.

Your taks and responsibilities:

As a member of an interdisciplinary team of engineers and chemists, you will be responsible for:

Working independently on the discussed topic, planning, designing and performing necessary experiments as well as coordinating and evaluating appropriate analytical methods such as impedance spectroscopy or ion chromatography.

This is what the task offers you:

  • Work in the future field of electrochemistry
  • Extensive supervision
  • Insight into an exciting and innovative field of research

Your profile:

  • You are studying environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry or a related field.
  • You are motivated and interested in learning a new topic.
  • You are motivated to work in an innovative and exciting research field.
  • You enjoy constructive work and problem solving.
  • Ideally, you already have some previous experience in the laboratory or in CAD.
  • You are looking for insights into the future field of electrochemistry and the design of electrochemical reactors.

 

 

For more information please contact
Project Leader

Dr. Christian Linnartz

T
+49 241 80-29974
Room
B 2.57
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Application

If you are open to new challenges, we look forward to receiving your application. Please send your documents, by e-mail only in PDF format, preferably in one file to linnartz@dwi.rwth-aachen.de