Localized Electroconvection at Ion-Exchange Membranes with Heterogeneous Surface Charge
Abstract
Abstract Operating electrochemical membrane processes beyond the limiting current density bears the potential to decrease the investment cost of desalination plants significantly. However, while there are strategies for successfully reducing energy demand by shortening the plateau region, their influence on the formation of electroconvection is still unknown. This study demonstrates control over the electroconvective vortices' rotational direction and position using a surface patterning method. We compare the development of electroconvection at two membranes modified with patterns of different surface charges. We analyze the electroconvective vortex field's build-up, the vortices' rotational direction, and structural stability in the steady-state. Finally, we showcase the control possibilities by enforcing a specific structure along an asymmetric letter pattern. Such tailor-made patterns have the potential to diminish the plateau region's energy loss completely. Furthermore, the scale-up of these membranes to industrial processes will allow the economic operation in the overlimiting regime, significantly increasing their space-time yield.
Authors 9
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
-
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
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RWTH Aachen University · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
RWTH Aachen University
-
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
-
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
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John Linkhorst Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University
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Matthias Weßling Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University
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