Clean power generation and global water scarcity are two intertwined challenges that have become increasingly critical in our modern world. With the growth of population, the expansion of industrialization, and the disruption of traditional weather patterns, demand for energy and freshwater has surged. As a result, the world has turned its attention to innovative sustainable energy sources, offering a reliable and eco-friendly solution to our growing energy needs while protecting the environment from negative impacts associated with conventional energy generation methods.The electrochemical cell explored in this study holds significant promise in three separate domains, with each domain playing a crucial role in tackling demanding global challenges. This cell demonstrates applicability in desalination, separation processes, and power generation.
The cell relies on the use of regenerable porous silver electrodes, which have the ability to selectively attract chloride ions through an electrochemical reaction involving silver and chloride. Symmetric silver/ silver chloride porous electrodes are employed to alternatively capture Cl− ions. The silver anode is oxidized and reacts with Cl− ions from the solution to form insoluble AgCl. Simultaneously, the silver cathode releases Cl− ions. The distinctive feature here is the new geometry, allowing the inlet flow to extend outward through the porous electrodes. This feature minimizes the energy consumption of the process by alleviating concentration polarization through advection. Concentration polarization is one of the main contributors to energy loss in electrochemical processes.
Chapter one thoroughly explores strategies and technologies targeted at addressing environmental challenges, with a primary focus on desalination, separation, and power generation. The chapter emphasizes electrochemical methods as sustainable and efficient solutions for overcoming the environmental challenges Additionally, it introduces the electrochemical cell utilized in this study and outlines its role in addressing these environmental challenges.
In chapter two, our focus is entirely on the field of desalination. Desalination plays a pivotal role in addressing water scarcity, especially in regions with limited or contaminated freshwater sources. We delve into the growing application of electrochemical desalination methods. Our exploration of this system's behavior encompasses the use of steady-state analytical models, transient numerical models, and practical experimentation. Our analysis of desalination performance involves an assessment of the degree of separation attained, the system's throughput capacity, its charge efficiency, and its energy consumption [1].
In the third chapter, the system is harnessed for specific ion separation, capitalizing on the chemical selectivity of its electrodes. These capabilities for selective separation also prove to be a valuable asset for tackling urgent environmental issues in industries like food processing, leather production, and petroleum refineries. This chapter reports results of experiments to separate chloride ions from other anions present in solutions representative of industrial and agricultural wastewater.
Chapter 4 introduces a shift in the electrochemical cell's role, transitioning from desalination to power generation. This transformation is based on the cell's capability to harness energy arising from the difference in salt concentration between saltwater and freshwater, thereby introducing a renewable energy source. The analysis of power generation performance in this chapter relies on the use of steady-state analytical models. It involves a comprehensive exploration of the cell's behavior across a range of parameters. This examination encompasses the impact of different velocities, variations in inlet concentration differences, adjustments in electrode spacing, and diverse current levels.
We believe that there is a need for further research to optimize the utilization of the electrochemical cell across various applications, as will be discussed in chapter 5.
Collectively, our study emphasizes the potential of this electrochemical cell to serve as a bridge connecting the domains of desalination, selective separation, and power generation to address global challenges with issues such as water scarcity, the demand for sustainable energy sources, and environmental conservation
