JP7691584B1 - Ion separation device, ion separation and concentration system, and ion separation method - Google Patents

Abstract

An ion separation device and an ion separation and concentration system are provided that are capable of separating ions by permeating water from raw water without separately supplying water as in an electric field device.
[Solution]
The _ion separation device 10A comprises a supply chamber 12 which supplies a supply liquid 11, which is an electrolyte solution (NaCl+ ^H2O ) containing cations (Na ⁺ ) and anions (Cl-), a cathode filter plate electrode 14 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm 13 which separates the cations (Na ⁺ ), a flat anode electrode 15, and a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na ⁺ ) flow together with water as cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an ion separation device, an ion separation and concentration system , and an ion separation method .

Conventionally, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as an ion separation device that separates cations and anions in a solution (electrolyte) (see Patent Document 1).

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a conventional electrolytic water generating device.
In the technology of Patent Document 1, oxidized water and reduced water constituting electrolytic water are generated using a three-chamber electrolytic water generator as shown in Fig. 16. This electrolytic water generator is composed of an intermediate chamber 1 in which various raw waters such as pure water and tap water and supporting electrolytes such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) dissolved in the raw water circulate and flow in and out, a cathode chamber 2 in which a cation exchange membrane 4 and a cathode 5 are disposed as partitions between the intermediate chamber 1 and in which cations (sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) in Fig. 16) of the supporting electrolyte are dissolved, and an anode chamber 3 in which an anion exchange membrane 6 and an anode 7 are disposed as partitions between the intermediate chamber 1 and in which anions ( chloride ions in Fig. 16) of the supporting electrolyte are dissolved.

Using this electrolyzed water generator, raw water with a supporting electrolyte dissolved therein is circulated in the intermediate chamber 1 to perform electrolysis, while the raw water is fed into the cathode chamber 2 and the anode chamber 3, thereby generating reduced water 8 from the cathode chamber 2 and oxidized water 9 containing chloride ions from the anode chamber 3. At this time, the physical properties of the reduced water 8 and the oxidized water 9 are controlled to generate them, and the electrolyzed water is obtained by mixing appropriate amounts of the reduced water 8 and the oxidized water 9.

JP 2013-17405 A

However, in the electrolytic water generating device disclosed in Patent Document 1, an ion exchange membrane is used to separate ions, but the ion exchange membranes (4, 6) are dedicated membranes that are permeable to cations or anions, respectively, and have the problem that they are almost completely impermeable to water.
Therefore, as a fluid to receive the permeated ions, purified water (H ₂ O) must be separately supplied to the cathode chamber 2 and the anode chamber 3. By supplying this water (purified water), reduced water 8 can be discharged from the cathode chamber 2, and oxidized water 9 containing chloride ions can be discharged from the anode chamber 3.

As such, the problem with electrolytic water generating devices using ion exchange membranes in the prior art is that in order to obtain electrolytic water, purified water must be separately supplied as carrier water to the cathode chamber 2 and the anode chamber 3.

Therefore, there is a strong need for a technology that can separate ions by passing water through it from raw water without the need to supply water separately, as is the case with electrolytic water generators.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an ion separation device, an ion separation and concentration system, and an ion separation method that can separate ions by directly passing water from raw water (supply liquid) through the raw water without separately supplying water as in, for example, conventional electrolytic water generation devices.

The ion separation device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid, which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions, cathode filter plate electrodes disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with diaphragms having pores for separating cations, a flat anode electrode, and a cation chamber into which separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid.
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the diaphragm;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The present invention is characterized by comprising :

The ion separation device of the second aspect includes a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions, an anode filter plate electrode disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with a diaphragm having a pore for separating anions, a flat cathode electrode, and an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid ,
The anode filter plate electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
The present invention is characterized by comprising :

The ion separation device of the third aspect includes a supply chamber for supplying a supply liquid which is an electrolyte solution containing cations and anions, a cathode filter plate electrode disposed on both sides of the supply chamber and equipped with a diaphragm having pores for separating cations, an anode filter plate electrode equipped with a diaphragm having pores for separating anions, a cation chamber into which separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid, and an anion chamber into which separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid ,
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the membrane;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The anode filter plate electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
The present invention is characterized by comprising :

The ion separation device of the fourth aspect is characterized in that the ion separation device of the first aspect and the ion separation device of the second aspect are connected in series to form a stack, and two or more of these stacks are connected in series .

In a fifth aspect of the ion separation device, the diaphragm is in contact with the first cathode electrode and the second cathode electrode on both sides .

In a sixth aspect of the ion separation device, the diaphragm is in contact with the first anode electrode and the second anode electrode on both sides .

The seventh aspect of the ion separation and concentration system is characterized by comprising a concentrator that concentrates valuables in an electrolyte solution containing valuables and cations, and the ion separation device of the first aspect that removes cations from the concentrated solution.

The ion separation and concentration system of the eighth aspect is characterized by comprising a concentrator that concentrates valuables in an electrolyte solution containing valuables and anions, and an ion separation device of the second aspect that removes anions from the concentrated solution.

The ion separation and concentration system of the ninth aspect is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates an electrolyte solution containing at least one of cations and anions together with valuables, and an ion separation device of the third aspect that removes either one or both of the cations and anions from the concentrated solution.

A tenth ion separation device is characterized in that it comprises a flat cathode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the cation chamber .

An eleventh ion separation device is characterized in that it comprises a flat anode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the anion chamber .

The twelfth ion separation device includes a flat cathode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the cation chamber;
The anion chamber is characterized by comprising a flat anode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode within the anion chamber .
The thirteenth ion separation and concentration system is characterized by comprising a concentrating device that concentrates valuables in an electrolyte solution containing valuables and cations, and a tenth ion separation device that removes cations from the concentrated solution.
A fourteenth ion separation and concentration system includes a concentrator that concentrates a valuable substance in an electrolyte solution containing a valuable substance and an anion;
and an eleventh ion separation device for removing anions from the concentrated solution.
A fifteenth ion separation and concentration system includes a concentrator for concentrating an electrolyte solution containing at least one of a cation and an anion together with a valuable substance;
and a twelfth ion separation device for removing either or both of cations and anions from the concentrated solution.
A sixteenth cation separation method comprises:
a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
A cathode filter plate electrode having a diaphragm having pores for separating cations, the cathode filter plate electrode being disposed on both sides of the supply chamber, and a flat anode electrode;
a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid;
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the diaphragm;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The cathode second electrode 14B is set to a first potential (V1),
The cathode first electrode 14A is set to a second potential (V2),
The flat anode electrode 15 is set to a third potential (V3),
The potentials supplied from the first power supply and the second power supply are V3>V2>V1, and the absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber (|V1|>|V2|), thereby separating cations.
A seventeenth anion separation method comprises:
a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
an anode filter plate electrode having a diaphragm having pores for separating anions, the anode filter plate electrode being disposed on both sides of the supply chamber; and a flat cathode electrode.
an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid;
The anode filter plate electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
The anode second electrode 24B is set to the anode first potential (V11),
The anode first electrode 24A is set to an anode second potential (V12),
The flat cathode electrode 25 is set to a fourth cathode potential (V4),
The potentials supplied from the third power source 43 and the fourth power source 44 are V4<V12<V11, and the absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber 12 (|V11|>|V12|), thereby separating anions.
An eighteenth method for separating cations and anions comprises the steps of:
a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
a cathode filter plate electrode provided on each side of the supply chamber and having a diaphragm having pores for separating cations; and an anode filter plate electrode provided on each side of the supply chamber and having a diaphragm having pores for separating anions;
a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid;
an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid;
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the membrane;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The anode electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
The cathode second electrode is at a first potential (V1);
The cathode first electrode is at a second potential (V2);
The flat anode electrode is set to a third potential (V3), and the potentials supplied from the first power source and the second power source are V3>V2>V1, and the absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases as it is farther away from the supply chamber (|V1|>|V2|),
The anode second electrode is set to an anode first potential (V11);
The anode first electrode is at an anode second potential (V12);
The cathode electrode of the flat plate is set to a fourth cathode potential (V4), and the potentials supplied from the third power source and the fourth power source are set to V4<V12<V11.
The absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber (|V11|>|V12|), thereby separating cations and anions.

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently separate either or both of the cations and anions in the supply liquid. In this case, the water from the raw water (supply liquid) is directly passed through the filter plate electrode, and the ions are separated.

In addition, even if impurities such as particles are present in the supply liquid, either cations or anions, or both, can be separated efficiently.

When salt water is used as the supply liquid, desalted water can be obtained by separating cations and anions.

In addition, it is possible to efficiently separate either or both of the cations and anions present in the supply liquid containing valuable particles.

Furthermore, the ion separation device can also be equipped with an ion dialysis function.

1 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to another embodiment of the third invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a graph showing test results of an ion separation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a graph showing test results of an ion separation device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of Test Example 1 of Embodiment 8 according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of Test Example 2 of the eighth embodiment according to the present invention. 13 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of another ion separation device according to embodiment 10 of the present invention. 11 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including an ion separation device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the results of confirming the state of ion separation in the ion separation device using a BTB reagent. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art electrolyzed water generating device. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another ion separation device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. 12 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. 16 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system equipped with an ion separation device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. 17 is a schematic diagram of a seawater desalination system including a seawater desalination apparatus according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments). Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be appropriately combined.
In the embodiments of this specification, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout. Note that this embodiment is merely an example of the configuration of the present invention, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The ion separation device 10A according to the first embodiment is a device that separates cations dissociated in a solvent (polar solvent; for example, water) that is an electrolyte solution (hereinafter also referred to as a "supply liquid") 11. Examples of the polar solvent include, in addition to water, methanol, ethanol, and propanol, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Here, the electrolyte solution (electrolyte solution or electrolytic water) that is the supply liquid is a general term for a liquid that dissociates an electrolyte, which is a substance that dissociates (ionizes) into ions and exhibits electrical conductivity.

Here, dissociation of ions is a general process by which molecules (or ionic compounds such as salts and complexes) separate or split, usually reversibly, into smaller particles such as atoms, ions, and radicals. The lattice of an ionic crystal breaks down when it dissolves in water, and dissociation refers to the separation of ions that occurs when a solid ionic compound dissolves.
Taking the formula unit of sodium chloride (NaCl) as an example, sodium chloride (NaCl) dissociates in water into one sodium ion (Na ion; cation (positive) ion) and one chloride ion (Cl ion; anion (negative) ion).
In other words, salt (sodium chloride) that dissolves in water (H ₂ O) dissociates into its ions and is an electrolyte, and in the electrolyte chamber solution, sodium chloride (NaCl) is completely dissociated into water and exists in an ionic state as cationic sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and anionic chloride ions (Cl ^- ).

In this embodiment, sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ^ion separation device 10A of embodiment 1 comprises an electrolyte solution supply chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "supply chamber") 12 that supplies an electrolyte solution (NaCl+H ₂ O: hereinafter referred to as the "supply liquid") 11 containing cations (Na ⁺ ) and anions (Cl ^- ), cathode filter plate electrodes 14 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 that separates the cations (Na + ), a flat anode electrode 15, and a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na ⁺ ) flow together with water as a cation liquid (hereinafter also referred to as the "alkaline liquid") 16.
Here, the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is composed of a cathode first electrode 14A and a cathode second electrode 14B, and further, a diaphragm (filter plate) 13, which is an insulator having pores 13a, is sandwiched between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B.
Here, the diaphragm 13 may be made of, for example, cellulose, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The ion separation device 10A further has a first power source 41 electrically connected to the flat anode electrode 15 and the cathode first electrode 14A, and a second power source 42 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B.
Here, the electrode configuration is such that the cathode second electrode 14B is at a first potential (V1), the cathode first electrode 14A is at a second potential (V2), and the flat anode electrode 15 is at a third potential (V3).

In this embodiment, the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 42 are set so that V1=-20V, V2=-15V, and V3=+15V.
The potentials supplied from the first power source 41 and the second power source 42 are set to V3>V2>V1, so that the absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber 12 (|V1|>|V2|).

The electrode configuration is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the cathode first electrode 14A may be earthed, the cathode first electrode 14A may be used as a reference electrode, the potential (V2) of the cathode first electrode 14A may be set to 0 V, the potential (V1) of the cathode second electrode 14B may be set to -10 V, and the potential (V3) of the flat anode electrode 15 may be set to +10 V, changing the absolute value of the voltages while leaving the potential difference unchanged.

Here, a cathode electric field Ec is generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B. The cathode electric field Ec exerts a repulsive force that suppresses the movement of negatively charged ions (Cl ⁻ ) from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17.

In addition, the cathode electric field Ec generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B exerts a force that draws cations (Na ⁺ ) and positively charged water molecules from the supply chamber 12 toward the cation chamber 17. An electroosmotic flow occurs in which the cations (Na ⁺ ) and positively charged water molecules are drawn toward the cation chamber 17 (see arrows F1 and F2 in FIG. 1). Therefore, the water in the supply chamber 12 moves faster than the moving speed when it moves to the cation chamber 17 simply under the filtration pressure of a pump or the like. Therefore, the amount of water moving from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17 per unit time increases.

Then, the cationic liquid 16 that has moved to the cationic chamber 17 is discharged to the outside from an outlet (not shown) of the cationic chamber 17 due to filtration pressure.
The first supply/discharge liquid 11A from which the cations have been separated in the supply chamber 12 has a reduced cation concentration, and is discharged to the outside from an outlet (not shown) of the supply chamber 12 due to filtration pressure.

The filtration pressure applied by the supply pump (not shown) is preferably set so that the pressure (gauge pressure) of the supply chamber 12, which is an enclosed space, is slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.005 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less, preferably 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less.

Here, the cathode filter plate electrodes 14 (cathode first electrode 14A, cathode second electrode 14B) are provided with multiple holes 14a that penetrate in the left-right direction in the figure. Water in the supply liquid 11 moves through the holes 14a of the electrodes 14.

In addition, an electrolytic corrosion prevention layer (not shown) is provided on the surface of the cathode filter plate electrode 14 (cathode first electrode 14A, cathode second electrode 14B) and the flat anode electrode 15. Examples of the electrolytic corrosion prevention layer include an insulating coating layer and a conductive precious metal layer. Examples of materials for the electrolytic corrosion prevention layer include titanium, aluminum, magnesium, tantalum, etc., but the present invention is not limited to these. Examples of materials for the conductive precious metal layer include platinum, gold, palladium, etc., but the present invention is not limited to these. In the case of an insulating coating layer, the thickness of the electrolytic corrosion prevention layer is, for example, about 5 μm to 30 μm, more preferably about 5 μm to 10 μm. In addition, the thickness of the conductive precious metal layer such as platinum, gold, palladium, etc. is, for example, about 0.5 μm to 10 μm, more preferably about 1 μm to 5 μm. This electrolytic corrosion prevention layer suppresses corrosion of the surfaces of the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15. In addition, the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15 have an insulating coating layer, so they do not come into contact with the liquid that constitutes the supply liquid 11. As a result, even if a potential is applied to the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15, electrolysis is unlikely to occur between the liquid and the surfaces of the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the flat anode electrode 15.

The cathode first electrode 14A faces the flat anode electrode 15 across the supply chamber 12. The distance D1 between the cathode first electrode 14A and the flat anode first electrode 15 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

The distance D2 between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm. Note that the smaller the distance D2 between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B, the stronger the cathode electric field Ec generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B.

The diaphragm 13 can be, for example, cellulose such as filter paper (membrane) or nanofiber, but the present invention is not limited to this. Taking filter paper as an example, the size of its pores is about 1 micron (pore diameter 1000 times 1 nanometer). Therefore, since water molecules are sub-nanometers, water can sufficiently pass through the diaphragm 13. As a result, the pump that sends the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 allows the water to pass freely through the diaphragm 13.

In contrast, when negative chloride ions (Cl ^- ) approach the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side, the negative electrode and the negative ions repel each other due to the Coulomb's repulsive force, and therefore cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14 A. Conversely, when positive ions (Na ⁺ ) approach the anode electrode 15 side of the anode plate, the positive electrode and the positive ions repel each other due to the Coulomb's repulsive force.

As described above, filter paper can be used as the diaphragm 13, but it is more preferable to use a diaphragm having a dielectric effect. The diaphragm having a dielectric effect is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric using fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.
Here, by disposing the diaphragm 13 having a dielectric effect between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B, the strength of the cathode electric field Ec acting between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B becomes large.
The diameter of the fine holes 13a is preferably, for example, 0.2 mm or less.
The diaphragm 13 disposed between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B may or may not be in contact with each other.
Here, the cathode filter plate electrode 14 equipped with this diaphragm 13 functions as an "ion separation membrane."

Next, an example of separating cations by supplying a sodium chloride solution as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the ions in supply chamber 12 are dissociated into cations (sodium ions: Na ⁺ ) and anions ( chloride ions : Cl ⁻ ).
Sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), which are cations, are attracted to negative cathode first electrode 14A disposed in supply chamber 12. When these sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), which are cations, are attracted, the result is that the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) permeate while water (H ₂ O) also permeates.

In contrast, chloride ions (Cl ^- ) are anions, and therefore are blocked by the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side, and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A. In FIG. 1 , the behavior of the chloride ions (Cl ^- ) bouncing back is illustrated. Thus, the chloride ions (Cl ^- ) are concentrated in the supply chamber 12. As a result, the first supply/discharge liquid 11A discharged from the supply chamber 12 has a reduced amount of cations (Na ⁺ ) and is in a state where the chloride ions (Cl ^- ) are concentrated.

The present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the permeation of cations (Na ⁺ ), water also permeates through the diaphragm 13 constituting the cathode filter plate electrode 14. As a result, the permeated water acts as carrier water for the cations (Na ⁺ ), making it unnecessary to separately supply water such as purified water.
In addition, the cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes according to the conventional technology can hardly or only slightly permeate water, and only have the function of selectively permeating and separating ions, so in the conventional technology, it is essential to separately supply water such as purified water as carrier water.

As a result, according to the ion separation device 10A, a cationic liquid (alkaline liquid) 16 in which the cations Na ⁺ have been transferred can be obtained in the cation chamber 17.

The above-mentioned cathode filter plate electrode 14 may be configured as an integrated member including the cathode first electrode 14A, the cathode second electrode 14B, and the diaphragm 13, or the diaphragm 13 may be configured as a separate member.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to the second embodiment.
In addition, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, sodium chloride (NaCl) is also used as an example for description, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ion separation device 10B of this embodiment is a device that performs ion separation on anions dissociated in a solvent (polar solvent; for example, water).

As shown in FIG. 2, the ion separation device 10B includes a supply chamber 12 for supplying a supply liquid 11 containing cations (Na ⁺ ) and anions (Cl ⁻ ), an anode filter plate electrode 24 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm 13 for separating the anions (Cl ⁻ ), a flat cathode electrode 25, and an anion chamber 27 into which the separated anions (Cl ⁻ ) flow together with water as an anion liquid (hereinafter also referred to as “acid liquid”) 26.

Here, the anode filter plate electrode 24 is composed of a first anode electrode 24A and a second anode electrode 24B, and a diaphragm 13, which is an insulator having fine holes, is sandwiched between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B. The diaphragm 13 is composed of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric using fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

The ion separation device 10B further includes a third power source 43 electrically connected to the flat cathode electrode 25 and the anode first electrode 24A, and a fourth power source 44 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.

Here, the electrode configuration is such that the anode second electrode 24B is at a first potential (V11), the anode first electrode 24A is at a second potential (V12), and the flat cathode electrode 25 is at a fourth potential (V4).
In this embodiment, the third power supply 43 and the fourth power supply 44 are set so that V11=+20V, V12=+15V, and V4=-15V.
The potentials supplied from the third power source 43 and the fourth power source 44 are set to V4<V12<V11, so that the absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber 12 (|V11|>|V12|).

An example in which a sodium chloride solution (NaCl+H ₂ O) is placed in the supply chamber 12 as the supply liquid 11 will be described.
As described above, the ions in supply chamber 12 are dissociated into cations (sodium ions: Na ⁺ ) and anions ( chloride ions : Cl ⁻ ). Anions, such as chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ), are attracted to anode first electrode 24A disposed in supply chamber 12. When these anions, such as chloride ions ( Cl ⁻ ), are attracted, the result is that the chloride ions permeate while water (H ₂ O) also permeates.

In contrast, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), being positive ions, are blocked by anode first electrode 24A (the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) bounce back in FIG. 2 ) and cannot pass through anode first electrode 24A. As a result, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) are concentrated in supply chamber 12. As a result, second supply/discharge liquid 11B discharged from supply chamber 12 has a reduced chloride ion (Cl ^- ) content and is in a state where positive ions (Na ⁺ ) are concentrated.

The distance D3 between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm. In addition, the smaller the distance D3 between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, the stronger the anode electric field Ea generated between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.

The holes 24a in the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B connect the supply chamber 12 and the anion chamber 27. The holes 24a in the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B are, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. The diameters of the holes 24a in the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B do not have to be the same.

As described in the first embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that water also permeates along with the anion (Cl ^- ). As a result, the permeated water acts as carrier water for the anion (Cl ^- ), and purified water or other water does not need to be separately supplied. As a result, there is no need to separately supply purified water or other water as carrier water for the permeated anion (Cl ^- ).
The cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes according to the prior art are almost or only slightly permeable to water, and have only the function of selectively permeating and separating ions.

As a result, an anion liquid (acid liquid) 26 in which the anions Cl ⁻ have been transferred can be obtained in the anion chamber 27 .

In addition, a dielectric membrane 13 may be placed between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B to increase the force of the anode electric field Ea acting between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.

The above-mentioned anode filter plate electrode 24 may be configured as an integrated member including the anode first electrode 24A, the anode second electrode 24B, and the diaphragm 23, or the diaphragm 13 may be configured as a separate member.

[Embodiment 3]
Fig. 3A is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of embodiment 3. Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device of another form of embodiment 3. Note that the same components as those of embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the ion separation device 10C-1 of the present embodiment is a combination of the ion separation device 10A of the first embodiment and the ion separation device 10B of the second embodiment, and separates cations and anions from a supply liquid containing both ions (cations and anions) to obtain an alkaline liquid 16 and an acidic liquid 26.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the ion separation device 10C-1 of embodiment 3 comprises an electrolyte solution supply chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "supply chamber") 12 that supplies a supply liquid 11 of an electrolyte solution (e.g., a NaCl solution) containing cations and anions, a cathode filter plate electrode 14 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter paper) 13 that separates cations (Na ⁺ ), an anode filter plate electrode 24 equipped with a diaphragm 13 that separates anions (Cl ^- ), a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na ⁺ ) flow together with water as a cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16, and an anion chamber 27 into which the separated anions (Cl ^- ) flow together with water as an anion liquid (acidic liquid) 26.

The ion separation device 10C-1 also has a first power source 41 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the anode first electrode 24A, a second power source 42 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B, and a third power source 43 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.
In this embodiment, the diaphragm 13 in the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

Next, an example of separating cations and anions by supplying sodium chloride solution as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A.

As described above, the ions in supply chamber 12 are dissociated into cations (sodium ions: Na ⁺ ) and anions ( chloride ions : Cl ⁻ ).
Sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), which are cations, are attracted to negative cathode first electrode 14A disposed in supply chamber 12. When these sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), which are cations, are attracted, the result is that the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) permeate while water (H ₂ O) also permeates.

In contrast, chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ) are anions and are therefore blocked by the negative cathode first electrode 14A and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A.

The present invention is characterized in that water permeates not only the cations (Na ⁺ ) but also the diaphragm 13 constituting the cathode filter plate electrode 14. As a result, it is not necessary to separately supply water such as purified water to the cation chamber 17 as carrier water for the permeated cations (Na ⁺ ).

Furthermore, chloride ions (Cl ^{− )} , which are anions, are attracted to the anode filter plate electrodes (anode first electrode 24 A, anode second electrode 24 B) 24 disposed in the supply chamber 12 so as to face the cathode filter plate electrode 14 .
When an anion, chloride ion (Cl ^- ), is attracted, the result is that the chloride ion permeates while water (H ₂ O) also permeates.

In contrast, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) are positive ions and are therefore blocked by the anode first electrode 24A and cannot pass through the anode first electrode 24A.

As a result, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) are concentrated in the cation chamber 17. Also, chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ) are concentrated in the anion chamber 27. As a result, the third supply/discharge liquid 11C discharged from the supply chamber 12 has a reduced content of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and also a reduced content of chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ).

Here, water as well as anions (Cl ⁻ ) permeate into the cation chamber 17. As a result, the permeated water acts as carrier water for the anions (Cl ⁻ ), so there is no need to separately supply water such as purified water.

The ion exchange membranes used in conventional ion separation technology are barely permeable to water and only function to separate ions. In contrast, when producing alkaline liquid 16 and acidic liquid 26 using the ion separation device 10C of this embodiment, there is no need to supply purified water as carrier water.

As described above, according to the ion separation device 10C-1 of this embodiment, in the ionic state of the supply liquid 11 supplied into the supply chamber 12 (a mixture of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and chloride ions (Cl ^- ): pH = 7.0), sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) permeate the cathode filter plate electrode 14 located on the left side of the supply chamber 12, and the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) are concentrated in the cation chamber 17. At the same time, chloride ions (Cl ^- ) permeate the anode filter plate electrode 24 located on the right side of the supply chamber 12, and the chloride ions (Cl ^- ) are concentrated in the anion chamber 27.

The ion separation between cations and anions in this ion separation device 10C-1 was confirmed by pH and BTB reagent. Here, a 0.05% aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) was used as the supply liquid 11, and the pH of the supply liquid was adjusted with a carbonate buffer to pH 7.0.
At the same time, the pH state in each chamber was visualized by coloring using BTB (bromothymol blue; BTB) reagent.

As a result of this confirmation, it was found that the ionic state of the supply liquid 11 supplied to the supply chamber 12 (a mixture of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and chloride ions (Cl ^- ): pH = 7.0) was such that, as a result of ion separation, the pH of the alkaline liquid 16 discharged from the cation chamber 17 became 11.8, and the pH of the acidic liquid 26 discharged from the anion chamber 27 became 2.4.

In addition, as a result of testing with the BTB reagent, the supply liquid 11 (pH=7.0) supplied to the supply chamber 12 was green in color, but the alkaline liquid 16 (pH=11.8) in the cation chamber 17 changed to blue, and the acidic liquid 26 (pH=2.4) in the anion chamber 27 changed to yellow. Furthermore, in a flame color reaction test using a copper wire, the alkaline liquid 16 changed to orange due to Na ions, and the acidic liquid 26 changed to green due to copper chloride (CuCl ₂ ). It was also confirmed that ions were reliably separated in each flame color reaction test.

As a result, the circulating liquid that is third supply/discharge liquid 11C discharged from supply chamber 12 has a reduced content of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and also a reduced content of chloride ions (Cl ^- ) (pH=4.5).

A schematic diagram of the results confirmed using the BTB reagent is shown in FIG.
Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the results of confirming the state of ion separation in the ion separation device using the BTB reagent. In Fig. 15, "A" in the upper row shows the color tone of the BTB reagent. "B" in the middle row shows the state where the color tone changes in the supply chamber 12 equipped with the cation chamber 17 and the anion chamber 27 on both sides. "C" in the lower row shows the state of the color tone of the supply liquid 11.

According to this embodiment, cations and anions are separated at the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the anode filter plate electrode 24 by applying a predetermined voltage, and the separated water also permeates the cathode filter plate electrode 14 and the anode filter plate electrode 24 as ion carrier water, so there is no need to add water (such as purified water) as ion carrier water, as in the conventional method.

During ion separation, a voltage is applied to the electrodes (cathode filter plate electrode 14, anode filter plate electrode 24), which generates heat and heats the supply liquid 11. In addition, electrolysis of water generates gas around the electrodes (hydrogen gas in the cation chamber 17, and chlorine gas and oxygen gas in the anion chamber 27). The gas moves to the upper part of the supply chamber 12, which is an enclosed space, due to buoyancy. Therefore, gas venting means such as a gas venting valve is appropriately installed in the supply chamber 12, cation chamber 17, anion chamber 27, or discharge line.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the ion separation device 10C-2 has a piezoelectric vibrator (excitation member) 80, which is a piezoelectric member, installed in the supply chamber 12, the cation chamber 17, and the anion chamber 27. By installing this piezoelectric vibrator (excitation member) 80, it is possible to prevent adhesion of particles even if there are particles suspended in the supply liquid 11. This allows the voltage applied to the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B to be lower overall than when the piezoelectric vibrator (excitation member) 80 is not installed.

That is, in order to improve particle separation, for example, a voltage of 20 V applied to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B can be halved by installing a piezoelectric vibrator (vibration member) 80 to apply 5 V to the anode first electrode 24A and 10 V to the anode second electrode 24B, thereby reducing the overall applied voltage.
As a result, the power consumption of the ion separation device can be significantly reduced, and electrolysis and heat generation can also be suppressed.
In particular, when separating heat-sensitive particles or biological matter as the separation target, which will be described later, the heat reduction effect is significant. Note that it is sufficient that the piezoelectric vibrator (excitation member) 80 is provided in at least one location.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to the fourth embodiment.
The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
The ion separation device 10D of the fourth embodiment has two sets of electrodes (cathode filter plate electrodes, anode filter plate electrodes) (14-1, 14-2, 24-1, 24-2), and two sets of cation chambers 17 and anion chambers 27 (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2).

The potentials of the cathode electrodes 14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, and 14B-2 are set to −15 V, −20 V, −30 V, and −35 V, respectively, by a power supply (not shown). In addition, the potentials of the anode electrodes 24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, and 24B-2 are set to +15 V, +20 V, +30 V, and +35 V, respectively.
The absolute values of the electric potentials of the cathode electrodes (14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, 14B-2) and anode electrodes (24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, 24B-2) are set to increase with increasing distance from supply chamber 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ion separation device 10D of this embodiment 4 comprises a supply chamber 12 that supplies an electrolyte solution (e.g., NaCl solution: pH 7.0) supply liquid 11 containing cations and anions, cathode filter plate electrodes 14-1, 14-2 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating cations, anode filter plate electrodes 24-1, 24-2 equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 for separating anions, a cation chamber 17 (17-1, 17-2) into which separated cations (Na ⁺ ) flow together with water as cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16, and an anion chamber 27 (27-1, 27-2) into which separated anions (Cl ⁻ ) flow together with water as an anion liquid (acidic liquid) 26.

In this embodiment, the second cation chamber 17-2 and the second anion chamber 27-2 also serve as discharge chambers for discharging the alkaline liquid 16 and the acidic liquid 26, respectively, and are provided with discharge holes 17a and 27a, respectively. The supply chamber 12 also has a supply hole 12a and a discharge hole 12c. The discharge liquid is a circulating liquid.

As a result, the alkaline solution 16 with an increased cation concentration and a raised pH is discharged from the discharge hole 17a of the second cation chamber 17-2.
On the other hand, the acidic liquid 26 with an increased anion concentration and a decreased pH is discharged from the discharge hole 27a of the second anion chamber 27-2.

In this embodiment, the ion separation device 10D has two sets of electrodes (cathode filter plate electrode, anode filter plate electrode) (14-1, 14-2, 24-1, 24-2), and two sets of cation chambers 17 and anion chambers 27 (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2), thereby increasing the ion separation efficiency.
In addition, in the present invention, the arrangement of each cation chamber 17 and anion chamber 27 is not limited to two sets, but three sets (17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 27-1, 27-2, 27-3) or four sets (17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 17-4, 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4) may be arranged as necessary.

The ion separation devices 10A to 10D described above can be applied to any technical field in which ions in an electrolyte are separated. In addition to replacing ion exchange membranes and ion exchange resins, the ion separation devices can also be used in, for example, seawater desalination (desalination) devices, as well as artificial dialysis devices.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to the fifth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the ion separation device 10E of the fifth embodiment includes the ion separation device 10A of the first embodiment, a supply tank 55 that supplies an electrolyte solution (supply liquid 11) containing cations, a supply line _L1 that supplies the supply liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P, a circulation line _L2 that circulates the first supply/discharge liquid 11A from the supply chamber 12 to the supply tank ₅₅ , and an alkali line L3 that discharges the alkaline liquid 16 from the cation chamber 17 to the alkaline tank 56.

The ion separation device 10E of this embodiment 5 continuously supplies the supply liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 into the supply chamber 12, thereby separating cations into the cation chamber 17, and by circulating the liquid within the supply chamber 12, the cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16 can be continuously obtained in the alkaline tank 56.
Moreover, by installing the ion separation device 10B of the second embodiment in place of the ion separation device 10A, an anion liquid (acid liquid) can be obtained.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to the sixth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the ion separation device 10F of the sixth embodiment includes the ion separation device 10D of the fourth embodiment, a supply tank 55 for supplying an electrolyte solution (supply liquid 11) containing cations, a supply line L ₁ for supplying the supply liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P-1, a circulation tank 57 for temporarily storing the first supply discharge liquid 11A from the supply chamber 12 to circulate it to the supply chamber 12, an alkali line L ₃ for discharging the alkaline liquid 16 from the cation chamber 17 to the alkaline tank 56 by the supply pump P-2, a supply line L 4 for supplying the first supply discharge liquid 11A from the supply chamber 12 to the circulation tank 57, and an acid line L ₅ for discharging the acidic liquid 26 from the anion chamber 27 via the supply pump P- ₃ to the acidic liquid tank 58.
A pressure relief valve (not shown) is provided in the circulation line _L4 to adjust the pressure (for example, to about 0.03 MPa).

By using the ion separation device 10F of this embodiment 6, the cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16 can be continuously obtained in the alkaline tank 56, and the anion liquid (acid liquid) 26 can be continuously obtained in the acid liquid tank 58.

Here, the test results of ion separation performed using an ion separation device 10F of the sixth embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 and an aqueous solution of sodium nitrate (NaNO ₃ ) as the supply liquid 11 are shown in FIG. 7 (FIGS. 7A and 7B).
The separation target was a 0.05% aqueous solution of _NaNO3 , whose pH was adjusted to 7.0 with a carbonate buffer. The evaluation method was to measure the ion concentration with a Na ⁺ / _NO3- ^ion meter.

As shown in Figure 7A, the separation efficiency of Na ions, which are cations, was 95.4% (20 min), 88.5% (40 min), and 83.1% (60 min). As shown in Figure 7B, the separation efficiency of NO ₃ ions, which are anions, was 96.6% (20 min), 94.9% (40 min), and 94.3% (60 min).
The results of FIGS. 7A and 7B show that the ion separation device of this embodiment can satisfactorily separate cations and anions.

[Embodiment 7]
8 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 7. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ion separation devices 10A to 10F in embodiments 1 to 6 describe techniques for separating cations or anions in an electrolyte solution, but the ion separation device of the present invention is not limited to this.

The ion separation device 10G of embodiment 7 has the same configuration as the ion separation device 10C of embodiment 3 (see Figure 3) described above, but separates particles 50 as well as ions from a particle-containing supply liquid 51 in which particles (Ptcl ^- indicated by ``●'' in the figure) 50 are mixed in the supply liquid supplied to the supply chamber 12.
In addition, since cations (e.g., Na ions) and anions (e.g., chloride ions ) are separated in a manner similar to that described above, in the explanation of the ion separation device 10E of this embodiment, the explanation will focus particularly on the separation of particles 50.

As shown in FIG. 8, the supply chamber 12 of the ion separation device 10G is provided with an inlet 12a for introducing the particle-containing supply liquid 51, a supply liquid introduction line 12b connected to the inlet 12a and equipped with a supply pump P, a third outlet 12c for discharging the discharge liquid 51A from which the particles 50, cations, and anions have been separated, and an exhaust line 12d connected to the third outlet 12c.

The cation chamber 17 of the ion separation device 10G is provided with a first outlet 17a for discharging the cation liquid 16 and a first outlet line 17b connected to the first outlet 17a. The anion chamber 27 of the ion separation device 10G is provided with a second outlet 27a for discharging the concentrate 65 containing the anion liquid and a second outlet line 27b connected to the second outlet 27a.

The cathode first electrode 14A faces the anode first electrode 24A across the supply chamber 12. The distance D1 between the cathode first electrode 14A and the anode first electrode 24A is a distance that allows the particles 50 in the particle-containing supply liquid 51 to move toward the anode first electrode 24A, and is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

The pore size 13a of the diaphragm 13 is also large enough to move the particles 50 in the particle-containing supply liquid 51 toward the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.

Regarding the method of operating the ion separation device 10G, first, the supply pump P is driven to supply the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 to the supply chamber 12. The supply pump P is driven continuously to continuously supply the particle-mixed supply liquid 51. In addition, the pressure by the supply pump P is set so that the pressure (gauge pressure) of the sealed space S of the supply chamber 12 is higher than atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.005 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less, preferably 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less.

The pressure downstream of the first discharge line 17b and the second discharge line 27b is adjusted to be approximately equal to atmospheric pressure by a pressure regulating valve (not shown). As a result, pressure (hereinafter referred to as filtration pressure) from the first supply port 12a (supply chamber 12) toward the cation chamber 17 and the anion chamber 27 acts on the sealed space S.

The cathode first potential V1 supplied from the cathode first power supply 61 to the cathode first electrode 14A is set to -20 V. The cathode second potential V2 supplied from the cathode second power supply 62 to the cathode second electrode 14B is set to -30 V. In other words, the cathode power supply supplies the cathode electrodes with a cathode potential (V1, V2) of the same polarity as the polarity (negative) of the particles 50. In addition, the absolute value of the cathode potential supplied from the cathode power supply increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber 12 (|V2|>|V1|).

The anode first potential V11 supplied from the anode first power supply 63 to the anode first electrode 24A is set to +20 V. The anode second potential V12 supplied from the anode second power supply 64 to the anode second electrode 24B is set to +30 V. In other words, the anode power supply supplies the anode electrode with an anode potential (V11, V12) of a polarity different from the polarity (negative) of the particles 50. In addition, the absolute value of the anode potential supplied from the anode power supply increases with increasing distance from the supply chamber 12 (|V12|>|V11|).

According to the above-mentioned operating method, when particle-mixed supply liquid 51 is supplied to supply chamber 12, particles 50 contained in particle-mixed supply liquid 51 are subjected to a repulsive force from cathode first electrode 14A, which is charged with the same polarity (see arrow A1 in FIG. 8). In addition, particles 50 are subjected to an attractive force from anode first electrode 24A, which is charged with the opposite polarity (see arrow B1 in FIG. 8). As a result, particles 50 in supply chamber 12 move toward anode first electrode 24A.

The particle-mixed supply liquid 51 (particle-mixed supply liquid 51 with a high concentration of particles 50) near the anode first electrode 24A passes through the holes 24a of the anode first electrode 24A and the holes 24a of the anode second electrode 24B due to filtration pressure, and the particles 50 move to the anion chamber 27 (see arrow F4 in FIG. 8). In addition, as the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 passes through the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, the proportion of water decreases and the proportion of particles 50 increases, resulting in a concentrate 65. Details are described below.

As a result, the positively charged water molecules move slower than they would if they were simply subjected to filtration pressure and moved to the anion chamber 27. This reduces the amount of water passing between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B per unit time. As a result, the proportion of water contained in the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 that has moved to the anion chamber 27 becomes smaller than that of the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 in the vicinity of the anode first electrode 24A.

In addition, the anode electric field Ea between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B exerts an attractive force that draws the negatively charged particles 50 from the anode first electrode 24A toward the anode second electrode 24B (see arrow F4 in FIG. 8). That is, the particles 50 receive an attractive force from the electric field when passing between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B. This causes the particles 50 to accelerate in speed compared to the speed at which they move to the anion chamber 27 simply under the filtration pressure.
As a result, the amount of particles 50 passing between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B per unit time increases. Therefore, the ratio of particles 50 per unit volume contained in the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 that has moved to the anion chamber 27 becomes higher than that of the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 in the vicinity of the anode first electrode 24A.

In this way, the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 becomes concentrated with particles 50 as it passes between the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, and becomes a concentrate 65 containing anionic liquid and concentrated particles. Then, this concentrate 65 passes through the second outlet 27a and is discharged from the second discharge line 27b due to the filtration pressure.

On the other hand, particle-mixed supply liquid 51 with a low concentration of particles 50 remains near the cathode first electrode 14A in the supply chamber 12. This particle-mixed supply liquid 51 passes through holes 14a in the cathode first electrode 14A and holes 14a in the cathode second electrode 14B due to filtration pressure, and moves to the cation chamber 17 (see arrow F2 in Figure 8).

Here, a cathode electric field Ec is generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B. The cathode electric field Ec exerts a repulsive force that inhibits the movement of the negatively charged particles 50 from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17. Therefore, the particles 50 are inhibited from moving to the cation chamber 17.

The cathode electric field Ec generated between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B exerts a force that draws positively charged water molecules from the supply chamber 12 toward the cation chamber 17. An electroosmotic flow occurs in which the positively charged water molecules are drawn toward the cation chamber 17 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 8). As a result, the water in the supply chamber 12 moves faster than it would move to the cation chamber 17 simply under filtration pressure. This increases the amount of water moving from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17 per unit time.

Then, the cationic liquid 16, which is the water that has moved to the cation chamber 17 (the filtrate from which the particles 50 have been separated), is discharged from the first outlet 17a due to the filtration pressure.

As described above, most of the water contained in the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 moves toward the cation chamber 17. In other words, the volume of the liquid that moves from the supply chamber 12 to the cation chamber 17 or the anion chamber 27 per unit time is larger in the cation chamber 17. Therefore, the flow rate discharged from the first outlet 17a and the second outlet 27a is set to, for example, 9:1 (e.g., 10 times concentrated) by the first valve 17c and the second valve 27c, and adjusted so that a large amount of water is discharged from the first outlet 17a. As a result, a large amount of water is continuously discharged as filtrate from the first outlet 17a. Also, a concentrate 65 in which the particles 50 are concentrated is continuously discharged from the second outlet 27a.

In this embodiment, the flow rate is set to, for example, 9:1 (e.g., 10 times concentrated), but by adjusting the flow rate of the metering pump, the flow rate can also be appropriately set to, for example, 2:1 (e.g., 3 times concentrated), etc.

Here, as described above, the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 contains cations (Na ions) and anions (Cl ions), so the cations and anions are separated, and the alkaline liquid 16 and the acidic liquid 26 are discharged from the cation chamber 17 and the anion chamber 27. At this time, since the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 contains particles 50, particle separation is also performed at the same time.

[Embodiment 8]
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to the eighth embodiment.
The same components as those in the first to seventh embodiments are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ion separation device of the present invention can separate ions, either positive or negative, from an electrolyte solution, and can also separate ions when charged particles are present in the electrolyte solution.

In this embodiment, an aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution is used as the supply liquid, and a particle-mixed supply liquid 51 in which particles (marked with "●" in the figure) 50 are mixed into this aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in Figure 9, the ion separation device 10H of embodiment 8 comprises a supply chamber 12 that supplies a particle-mixed supply liquid 51 containing cations (Na ⁺ ), anions (OH ^- ), and particles 50, a cathode filter plate electrode 14 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 that separates the cations (Na ⁺ ), a flat anode electrode 15, and a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na ⁺ ) flow together with water as a cation liquid (hereinafter also referred to as "alkaline liquid") 16.

In addition, the ion separation device 10H of embodiment 8 further includes a supply tank 55 that supplies the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 to the supply chamber 12, an alkaline tank 56 that receives the alkaline liquid 16, a supply line _L1 that supplies the particle-mixed supply liquid 51 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P, a circulation line _L2 that circulates the discharged liquid 51B from the supply chamber 12 to the supply tank 55, and an alkaline line _L3 that discharges the alkaline liquid 16 from the cation chamber 17 to the alkaline tank 56.
Here, the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is composed of a cathode first electrode 14A and a cathode second electrode 14B, each having pores 14a, and further, a diaphragm 13, which is an insulator having pores 13a, is sandwiched between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B.

Next, using Figure 9, we will explain an example of supplying a particle-mixed supply liquid 51 containing cations (Na ⁺ ), anions (OH ^- ), and negatively charged particles (●(Ptcl ^- )) 50 into the supply chamber 12 as a supply liquid to separate the cations and particles 50.

As described above, the ions in supply chamber 12 are dissociated into cations (sodium ions: Na ⁺ ) and anions (hydroxide ions: OH ⁻ ).
Sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), which are cations, are attracted to the negative cathode first electrode 14A disposed in the supply chamber 12. When the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), which are cations, are attracted, the sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) permeate while water (H ₂ O) also permeates.

In contrast, hydroxide ions (hydroxide ions: OH ^- ) and negatively charged particles (●(Ptcl ^- )) 50 are anions and are therefore blocked by the negative cathode first electrode 14A and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A. Figure 9 illustrates the behavior of the negatively charged particles 50 bouncing back within the supply chamber 12. Thus, the negatively charged particles 50 are concentrated within the supply chamber 12. As a result, the discharge liquid 51B discharged from the supply chamber 12 has a reduced concentration of cations (Na ⁺ ) and is in a state in which the negatively charged particles 50 are concentrated.

As a result, the inside of the cation chamber 17 is provided with a cationic liquid (alkaline liquid which is the filtrate) 16 in which the cation Na ⁺ has been transferred, and the discharged liquid 51B in which the negatively charged particles 50 have been concentrated is obtained from the supply chamber 12 side.

As a result, according to this embodiment, when the particle (●(Ptcl ⁻ )) 50 is a valuable resource, it becomes possible to easily remove cations (e.g., Na ⁺ , etc.) that are impurities contained in the valuable resource.

Here, conventionally, in order to remove cations (e.g., Na ions) present in an aqueous solution containing valuable materials, it was necessary to use so-called diafiltration, in which a large amount of water was used to repeatedly perform dilution and separation operations, which required time and effort.

<Test Example 1>
FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of Test Example 1 of the ion separation device of the eighth embodiment.
10A , a description will be given of an example of a test in which a particle-containing supply liquid 51 containing cations (Na ⁺ ), anions (OH ⁻ ), and negatively charged particles 50 is supplied into the supply chamber 12 to separate the cations, anions, and particles 50. Colloidal silica (particle size: 100 nm) was used as the particles 50.

10A, the ion separation device 10I of the first embodiment is further provided with a receiving tank 59 for receiving the supply and discharge liquid 51B from the supply chamber 12 in the ion separation device 10H shown in FIG. 9, and an alkali line _L2 for discharging the liquid is connected to the receiving tank 59. The discharge liquid (containing particles (●(Ptcl ⁻ )) 50) 51B discharged from the supply chamber 12 in which Na ⁺ has been separated and the Na ⁺ concentration has been reduced is stored in the receiving tank 59.

When the pH of particle-containing supply liquid 51 is set to 7.0, particles 50 are negatively charged and are blocked by negative cathode first electrode 14A, and cannot pass through cathode first electrode 14A. Therefore, in Fig. 10A, particles 50 are concentrated in supply chamber 12. As a result, discharge liquid 51B discharged from supply chamber 12 has a reduced cation (Na ⁺ ) content and is in a state in which particles 50 are concentrated.
The results of this test are shown in Table 1.

As shown in Table 1, when the supply time of the supply liquid was 0 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.006 wt %, pH was 7.0, and Na ion concentration was 21 ppm.
The properties of the discharged liquid 51B were measured, and in the case of a supply time of 40 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.277 wt%, colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.3 times, pH was 4.3, Na ion concentration was 12 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 42.9%. In the case of a supply time of 60 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.405 wt%, colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.4 times, pH was 3.9, Na ion concentration was 12 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 42.9%. In the case of a supply time of 180 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.274 wt%, colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.3 times, pH was 3.6, Na ion concentration was 10 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 52.4%.

In addition, when the properties of the cationic liquid 16 were measured, in the case of a supply time of 40 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.016 wt%, colloidal silica concentration rate was 98.4 times, pH was 9.1, Na ion concentration was 29 ppm, and Na ion concentration rate was 1.4%. In the case of a supply time of 60 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.017 wt%, colloidal silica concentration rate was 98.3 times, pH was 9.2, Na ion concentration was 31 ppm, and Na ion concentration rate was 1.5%. In the case of a supply time of 180 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.027 wt%, colloidal silica concentration rate was 97.4 times, pH was 9.1, Na ion concentration was 30 ppm, and Na ion concentration rate was 1.4%.

As is clear from the results in Table 1, Na ions, which are cations, were separated from the particle-containing supply liquid 51, and colloidal silica, which is the particles 50 in the discharge liquid, was concentrated, demonstrating good separation efficiency of colloidal silica.

<Test Example 2>
FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of Test Example 2 of the ion separation device of the eighth embodiment.
Next, an ion separation apparatus 10J shown in FIG. 10B is similar to the ion separation apparatus 10H shown in FIG. 9 in that a distilled water supply tank 55B that supplies distilled water (DW) to 55A is provided.
The test was performed in the same manner as in Test Example 1, and colloidal silica (particle size: 100 nm) was used as the particles 50 .

The ion separation device 10J of test example 2 is provided with a distilled water supply tank 55B that supplies distilled water DW to the supply tank 55A. By providing this distilled water supply tank 55B, when performing ion separation, the slurry (particles + Na ions) in the supply tank 55A is supplied with an amount of distilled water DW equal to the amount of alkaline liquid 16 discharged, which is the filtrate.

By supplying this distilled water DW, the silica concentration in the supply tank 55A and the silica concentration in the discharged liquid 51B, which is the circulating liquid returning to the supply tank 55A, are kept constant (1 wt%), while sodium ions are discharged together with the filtrate, which is the alkaline liquid 16.

Here, the supply flow rate of particle-containing supply liquid 51 from supply tank 55A to supply chamber 12 was F11=10 ml/min, and the return flow rate of the circulating liquid, which is discharged liquid 51B, was F12=4 ml/min.
The supply flow rate of the distilled water DW was F14 = 6 ml/min, and the discharge flow rate of the alkaline solution 16, which is the filtrate, was 6 ml/min, making them equal in amount.
It was verified that the Na ion concentration in the circulating liquid had decreased from an initial concentration of 20 ppm in the supply tank 55A to 0 ppm as measured by an ion meter.

The results of this test are shown in Table 2.

As shown in Table 2, when the supply time of the supply liquid was 0 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) in the raw liquid supply liquid was 1.021 wt%, the pH was 9.0, and the Na ion concentration was 29 ppm.

First, the properties of the raw solution in the supply tank 55A were measured. When the supply time was 40 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.818 wt%, the pH was 6.5, the Na ion concentration was 10 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 50%. When the supply time was 80 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.802 wt%, the pH was 4.0, the Na ion concentration was 5 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 75.0%. When the supply time was 120 minutes, the TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.764 wt%, the pH was 3.7, the Na ion concentration was 3 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 85.0%. When the supply time was 150 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.717 wt%, pH was 3.7, Na ion concentration was 2 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 90.0%.

Next, the properties of the discharged liquid (circulating liquid) 51B side were measured. In the case of a supply time of 40 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.845 wt%, colloidal silica concentration ratio was 1.9 times, pH was 3.2, Na ion concentration was 5 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 75%. In the case of a supply time of 80 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 2.058 wt%, colloidal silica concentration ratio was 2.0 times, pH was 3.2, Na ion concentration was 3 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 85%. In the case of a supply time of 120 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.704 wt%, colloidal silica concentration ratio was 1.7 times, pH was 3.2, Na ion concentration was 2 ppm, and Na ion separation efficiency was 90%. When the supply time was 150 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 1.516 wt%, the colloidal silica concentration ratio was 1.5 times, the pH was 3.2, the Na ion concentration was 0 ppm, and the Na ion separation efficiency was 100%.

In addition, when the properties of the cationic liquid 16 side were measured, in the case of a supply time of 40 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.013 wt%, colloidal silica concentration was 98.7 times, pH was 10.5, Na ion concentration was 20 ppm, and Na ion concentration was 1.0%. In the case of a supply time of 80 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.009 wt%, colloidal silica concentration was 99.1 times, pH was 10.4, Na ion concentration was 11 ppm, and Na ion concentration was 0.6%. In the case of a supply time of 120 minutes, TS (total evaporation residue; colloidal silica concentration, sodium concentration) was 0.000 wt%, colloidal silica concentration was 100.0 times, pH was 9.9, Na ion concentration was 5 ppm, and Na ion concentration was 0.3%.
From the above results, a separation efficiency of 100% was achieved when the concentration of Na ions in the circulating fluid was 0 ppm, and the particle separation efficiency was also 100%. As a result, a separation efficiency of 100% for particles (●(Ptcl ^- ))50) was achieved, and Na ion removal (0 ppm) was also achieved.

[Embodiment 9]
11A is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 9. Note that the same components as those in the first to eighth embodiments are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the ion separation device of the ninth embodiment is a seawater desalination device 70 formed by connecting the ion separation device 10A of the first embodiment and the ion separation device 10B of the second embodiment in series.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the ion separation device of embodiment 9 is a modified example of the ion separation device described above, with the lower side in the figure being the ion separation device 10A of embodiment 1 and the upper side being the ion separation device 10B of embodiment 2.

The ion separation device 10A of embodiment 1 on the lower side and the ion separation device 10B of embodiment 2 on the upper side constitute a unit, and by connecting multiple such units, the efficiency of ion separation between cations and anions is significantly improved.

In this embodiment, salt water (NaCl) is used as the supply liquid 71. As shown in Fig. 11A, the lower ion separation device 10A allows cations to pass through and blocks anions, while the upper ion separation device 10B allows anions to pass through and blocks cations.
That is, the ion separation device of the fifth embodiment separates positive ions and negative ions from salt water, and therefore can function as a so-called seawater desalination device.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the seawater desalination apparatus 70, which is an ion separation apparatus of the ninth embodiment, has a first ion separation apparatus 10A disposed in the lower stage, and supplies a sodium chloride aqueous solution (salt water) 71 into the supply chamber 12 of the first ion separation apparatus 10A.

Sodium ions in the supplied aqueous sodium chloride solution 71 permeate the cathode filter plate electrode 14 together with water. In this first ion separation device 10A, Na ions permeate the cathode filter plate electrodes 14 (14A, 14B), while chloride ions are blocked by the cathode filter plate electrode 14, and the chloride ions are concentrated and discharged from the supply chamber 12. The alkaline liquid 16 into which the sodium ions have permeated is discharged from the cation chamber 17 as a first cation liquid 16-1.
The separation efficiency of Na ions in this first stage is 95%, resulting in a reduction of Na ions by about 95%.

Next, the first cationic liquid 16-1 is supplied into the supply chamber 22 of the second ion separation device 10B on the upper stage side. In the second ion separation device 10B, the first cationic liquid 16-1, which is a cationic ion permeate liquid in which sodium ^ions have been concentrated in the first ion separation device 10A on the lower stage, is blocked by the anode filter plate electrode 24 (24A, 24B) of the second ion separation device 10B, and only water permeates, and desalted water 72 is discharged from the anion chamber 27. The first ion separation device 10A and the second ion separation device 10B form a module as a set, and by installing multiple stages of this module, the Na ⁺ ion concentration can be reduced to a desired concentration.

To reduce the salinity of seawater from 3.5%, it is generally considered necessary to reduce the salt concentration to 0.05% so that it can be used as a drink.

FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a seawater desalination facility including a plurality of units each of which is the seawater desalination apparatus, which is the ion separation apparatus of the ninth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11B, the seawater desalination apparatus 70 is configured as a plurality of units, forming an n-stage module, so that the salinity can be reduced to a desired concentration.
As a result, by configuring the seawater desalination apparatus 70 from a plurality of units, it is possible to reduce the salinity of seawater (salinity: approximately 3.5%) to the salinity of water for daily life.

In this way, the reverse osmosis membrane method, which uses reverse osmosis membranes that are generally used in seawater desalination equipment, can desalinate seawater with a salt concentration of 3.5% to a salt concentration of 0.05% so that it can be used as drinking water, but it can also desalinate seawater to a sodium ion concentration of the same or higher.

Furthermore, even if there are particles (e.g., living organisms such as plankton, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.: (●( ^Ptcl- )) 50 in the seawater, as described above, the charged particles 50 can also be separated, so seawater desalination can be performed.
Particles can be separated if they are charged to one side or the other.

In addition, in conventional seawater desalination using reverse osmosis membrane equipment, the presence of particles (e.g., living organisms such as plankton, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.: (●(Ptcl ⁻ )) 50 would clog the reverse osmosis membrane, so the particles were treated at a stage upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane equipment.

In other words, in conventional seawater desalinization using the reverse osmosis membrane method, seawater is pretreated to be purified to the utmost extent possible, preventing clogging of the sub-nanometer pores in the reverse osmosis membrane.

In contrast, in a seawater desalination plant 70 using the ion separation device of the present invention, electrically charged particles (●(Ptcl ⁻ )) 50 can also be separated, so that even if there is a certain amount of plankton, etc., separation processing is possible as long as the particles are charged.

That is, negatively charged particles can be blocked by the first-stage ion separation device 10A in the lower stage, and positively charged particles can be blocked by the second-stage ion separation device 10B in the upper stage.

A common technique for desalinating seawater is the "reverse osmosis membrane method." This method uses the "reverse osmosis phenomenon," in which an artificial high pressure greater than the osmotic pressure is applied to the saltwater, forcing only the water molecules in the saltwater through a semipermeable membrane into the freshwater.

In the conventional seawater desalination method using reverse osmosis membranes, for example, a problem arises in that salt-concentrated brine water is generated from the seawater desalination plant. In most cases, untreated brine is simply dumped into the sea, which poses a serious risk that harmful chemicals such as anti-scalant agents and antifouling agents contained in the waste will pollute the sea and have a negative impact on marine life and the marine ecosystem. In addition, because brine contains a lot of salt, its salinity is higher than that of the receiving water, which results in the problem of consuming dissolved oxygen (DO) in the receiving water.

The seawater desalination system 70 that uses the ion separation device of the present invention does not have the problem of brine water. In the first place, in the reverse osmosis membrane method, a pretreatment process is required for the seawater supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane, but the seawater desalination system of the present invention is efficient because it is sufficient to install a simple pretreatment device, namely a sand filter device, for removing impurities from the seawater.

[Embodiment 10]
12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of an ion separation device according to a tenth embodiment.
In addition, the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
The ion separation device in FIG. 12 has an active electrode arrangement, while the ion separation device in FIG. 13 has a passive electrode arrangement.

The ion separation device 10K in FIG. 12 is configured such that a power source is connected to all eight electrodes to supply power.
The ion separation device 10D of the fourth embodiment has two sets of electrodes (cathode filter plate electrodes, anode filter plate electrodes) (14-1, 14-2, 24-1, 24-2), and two sets of cation chambers 17 and anion chambers 27 (17-1, 17-2, 27-1, 27-2).

The power supplies (ES1, ES2, IS1, IS2, IS3, IS4, IS5, IS6) set the potentials of the cathode electrodes 14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, and 14B-2 to −15 V, −20 V, −30 V, and −35 V, respectively. Also, the potentials of the anode electrodes 24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, and 24B-2 are set to +15 V, +20 V, +30 V, and +35 V, respectively.
The absolute values of the electric potentials of the cathode electrodes (14A-1, 14B-1, 14A-2, 14B-2) and anode electrodes (24A-1, 24B-1, 24A-2, 24B-2) are set to increase with increasing distance from supply chamber 12.
In contrast, the ion separator 10L in FIG. 13 connects a power source only to the two electrodes at both ends to supply potentials of −35V and +35V.
12 and 13, the ion separation chamber is indicated by a dashed line frame. In addition, a piezoelectric vibrator 80 is disposed in the ion separation devices 10K and 10L of the present embodiment.

[Embodiment 11]
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including the ion separation device of the eleventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the ion separation and concentration system 100 of the eleventh embodiment includes a valuables concentration device 102 that concentrates a dilute solution 101 containing particles 50, which are valuables, and a dilute solution (cations, valuables) containing at least one of cations and anions together with the particles 50 to produce concentrated valuables 103, and an ion separation device 104 (for example, any of the ion separation devices 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10H of the above-mentioned embodiments) that removes either or both of the cations and anions in the concentrated valuables 103. Note that FIG. 14 illustrates cations as ions.

An example of the valuables concentrator is a filtration device such as a rotary ceramic membrane filter (Dynafilter; registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this.

According to the ion separation and concentration system 100 of this embodiment, a diluted solution with a low concentration of valuables is concentrated once in the concentrator 102, and then impurity cations (Na ions) can be separated from the concentrated valuables 103.

As a result, the valuables are concentrated, the ion concentration in the valuables decreases, and the purity of the valuables improves.

That is, as explained in the ion separation device 10H of embodiment 8 using FIG. 9, by separating cations (Na ions) while circulating the particles (●(Ptcl-)) 50 as is, when the particles (●(Ptcl-)) 50 are valuable materials, it becomes possible to easily remove cations (e.g., Na+, etc.) that are impurities contained in the valuable materials, thereby improving the purity of the product.

[Embodiment 11]
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of another ion separation device according to the eleventh embodiment.
In addition, the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ion separation device 10M in FIG. 17 is a conventional ion separation device equipped with a so-called ion exchange membrane function.

In this embodiment, sodium chloride (NaCl) will be used as an example.
As shown in FIG. 17, the ^ion separation device 10M of embodiment 11 comprises an electrolyte solution supply chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "supply chamber") 12 that supplies an electrolyte solution (NaCl+H ₂ O: hereinafter referred to as the "supply liquid") 11 containing cations (Na ⁺ ) and anions (Cl ^- ), a cathode filter plate electrode 14 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter material) 13 that separates the cations (Na + ), a flat anode electrode (positive electrode) 15, a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na ⁺ ) flow together with water as a cation liquid (hereinafter also referred to as the "alkaline liquid") 110, and further a flat cathode electrode (negative electrode) 25 arranged in a position opposite the cathode filter plate electrode 14 in the cation chamber 17.
Supply chamber 12 is provided with a supply port and a discharge port (not shown), and supplies supply liquid 11 , which is an electrolyte, into supply chamber 12 .

The cation chamber 17 is provided with a replacement liquid supply port and a replacement liquid discharge port (not shown) for supplying a replacement liquid for replacing the migrated cations, and a replacement liquid 110 is supplied into the cation chamber 17. This replacement liquid 110 replaces the cations (Na ⁺ ) that have been migrated into the cation chamber 17 by ion exchange using the cathode filter plate electrode 14, to become an alkaline liquid 110A.

Here, the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is composed of a cathode first electrode 14A and a cathode second electrode 14B, and further, a diaphragm (filter plate) 13, which is an insulator having pores 13a, is sandwiched between the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B.
Here, the diaphragm 13 may be made of, for example, cellulose, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The ion separation device 10M further has a first power source 41 electrically connected to the flat-plate anode electrode 15 and the cathode first electrode 14A, a second power source 42 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B, and a fifth power source 45 electrically connected to the flat-plate cathode electrode 25 and the cathode first electrode 14A.
Here, the electrodes are configured such that the cathode second electrode 14B is at a first potential (V1), the cathode first electrode 14A is at a second potential (V2), the flat anode electrode 15 is at a third potential (V3), and the flat cathode electrode 25 is at a fourth potential (V4). The power sources (first power source 41, second power source 42, fifth power source 45) are set so that the potentials are V3>V2>V1>V4.

The absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber 12 (|V4| (40 V) > |V1| (20 V) > |V2| (10 V)).

In the ion separation device 10A shown in the first embodiment in FIG. 1, water is allowed to permeate through the cathode filter plate electrode 14.
However, in the eleventh embodiment, the structure is such that only a small amount of water passes through.
This is because the supply liquid 11 and the replacement liquid 110 are supplied in a balanced manner.
As a result, in the cathode filter plate electrode 14 , the Na ions are attracted to the cathode first electrode 14 A on the cathode side and move into the cation chamber 17 .
At this time, since there is almost no movement of water, as a result, only ions move from the supply liquid (NaCl) 11 to the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110, and the replacement liquid 110 is replaced.

Therefore, at the beginning of operation, only Na ions pass through, so the Na ion concentration in the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110 is low, but as operation continues, only Na ions gradually pass through, so the Na ion concentration in the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110 increases and it becomes an alkaline liquid.

Here, the reasons for the lack of water movement include, for example, the following.
1) The diaphragm 13 acts as a filtration resistance, and water hardly passes through it.
2) There is almost no pressure difference between both chambers (supply chamber 12/cation chamber 17).
3) The supply tank (not shown) that supplies the supply liquid 11 and the replacement liquid supply tank (not shown) are supplied from approximately the same location (i.e., the flow rate of the pump is the same).

As described above, according to the ion separation device 10M of this embodiment, the cations (Na ions) in the supply liquid 11 supplied to the supply chamber 12 are attracted to the cathode first electrode 14A on the cathode side and move (permeate) through the cation chamber 17.

According to this embodiment, the migrated (permeated) cations (Na ions) are replaced by a replacement liquid 110 that is supplied separately into the cation chamber 17, thereby providing the so-called ion dialysis function.

On the other hand, anions (Cl ions) are repelled by cathode first electrode 14 A and cannot move, and remain within supply chamber 12 .
As a result, as operation continues, the amount of cations (Na ions) in supply chamber 12 decreases, and the amount of anions (Cl ions) increases.
As the operation time progresses, the substitution liquid 110 changes from distilled water (pH 7.0) to an alkaline liquid of sodium hydroxide solution (pH = 11.8).

The replacement liquid 110 may or may not be circulated.
The feed side may also be circulating or non-circulating.

That is, by implementing the following three patterns as necessary, it is possible to provide an ion separation device that exhibits an ion dialysis function.
Pattern 1) Neither the supply liquid nor the replacement liquid is circulated.
Pattern 2) Only one of the supply liquid and the replacement liquid is circulated.
Pattern 3) Circulate both the supply liquid and the replacement liquid.

[Embodiment 12]
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to a twelfth embodiment.
The same components as those in the ion separation device of the embodiment 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, too, sodium chloride (NaCl) will be used as an example for description.
As shown in FIG. 18, an ion separation device 10N of this embodiment is a device that performs ion separation on anions dissociated in a solvent (polar solvent; for example, water).

As shown in FIG. 18, the ion separation device 10N comprises a supply chamber 12 which supplies a supply liquid 11 containing cations (Na ⁺ ) and anions (Cl ⁻ ), an anode filter plate electrode 24 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm 23 which separates the anions (Cl ⁻ ), a flat cathode electrode 25, an anion chamber 27 into which the separated anions (Cl ⁻ ) flow together with water as an anion liquid (hereinafter also referred to as “acidic liquid”) 26, and further a flat anode electrode (positive electrode) 15 arranged in a position opposite the anode filter plate electrode 24 within the anion chamber 27.
Supply chamber 22 is provided with a supply port and a discharge port (not shown), and supplies supply liquid 11 , which is an electrolyte, into supply chamber 22 .
The anion chamber 27 is provided with a replacement liquid supply port and a replacement liquid discharge port for supplying a replacement liquid 110 for replacing the moved anions, and the replacement liquid 110 is supplied into the anion chamber 27 .
This replacement liquid 110 replaces the anions (Cl ⁻ ) that have been transferred into the anion chamber 27 by ion exchange using the anode filter plate electrode 24, to become an acidic liquid 110B.

Here, the anode filter plate electrode 24 is composed of a first anode electrode 24A and a second anode electrode 24B, and a diaphragm 23, which is an insulator having fine holes, is sandwiched between the first anode electrode 24A and the second anode electrode 24B. The diaphragm 23 is composed of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric using fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

The ion separation device 10N has a third power source 43 electrically connected to the flat cathode electrode 25 and the anode first electrode 24A, a fourth power source 44 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, and a sixth power source 46 electrically connected to the flat anode electrode 15 and the anode second electrode 24B.

Here, the electrode configuration is such that the anode second electrode 24B is at a first potential (V11), the anode first electrode 24A is at a second potential (V12), the flat cathode electrode 25 is at a fifth potential (V5), and the flat anode electrode 15 is at a sixth potential (V6). The power supplies (third power supply 43, fourth power supply 44, sixth power supply 46) are set so that the potentials are V5<V12<V11<V6.

The absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber 12 (|V6| (40 V) > |V11| (20 V) > |V12| (10 V)).

An example in which a sodium chloride solution (NaCl+H ₂ O) is supplied as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 22 will be described.
As described above, the ions in supply chamber 22 are dissociated into cations (sodium ions: Na ⁺ ) and anions ( chloride ions : Cl ⁻ ). Chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ), which are anions, are attracted to anode first electrode 24A disposed in supply chamber 12.

In the ion separation device 10B of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, water is allowed to permeate through the anode filter plate electrode 24. However, in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
However, the ion separation device 10N of the twelfth embodiment is configured to allow only a small amount of water to pass through, because the supply liquid 11 and the replacement liquid 110 are supplied in a balanced manner.
As a result, anions ( chloride ions : Cl ⁻ ) are attracted to the anode first electrode 24 A on the anode side, and move (permeate) into the anion chamber 27 .
At this time, since there is almost no movement of water, as a result, only chloride ions (Cl ^- ) move (permeate) from the supply liquid (NaCl) 11 in the supply chamber 22 to the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110 in the anion chamber 27, and are replaced by the replacement liquid 110, resulting in an acidic liquid.

As described above, according to the ion separation device 10N of this embodiment, anions ( chloride ions ) in the supply liquid 11 are attracted to the anode first electrode 24A on the anode side and move (permeate) into the anion chamber 27.
The anions ( chloride ions ) that have migrated (permeated) are replaced by a replacement liquid 110 that is separately supplied into the anion chamber 27, thereby exerting the so-called ion dialysis function.

On the other hand, positive ions (Na ions) are repelled by anode first electrode 24A and cannot move, and remain within supply chamber 12.
As a result, as operation continues, the amount of cations (Na ions) in supply chamber 12 increases, and the amount of anions (Cl ions) decreases.
As the operation time progresses, the substitution liquid 110 changes from distilled water (pH 7.0) to an acidic liquid (pH = 2.4).

[Embodiment 13]
19 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 13. Note that the same components as those in embodiments 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 19, the ion separation device 10P of the present embodiment is a combination of the ion separation device 10M of embodiment 11 and the ion separation device 10N of embodiment 12, and separates cations and anions and replaces them with a replacement liquid 110 to obtain an alkaline liquid 16 and an acidic liquid 26.

As shown in FIG. 19, the ion separation device 10P of embodiment 13 comprises a supply chamber 12 that supplies a supply liquid 11 of an electrolyte solution (e.g., NaCl solution) containing cations and anions, a cathode filter plate electrode 14 arranged on both sides of the supply chamber 12 and equipped with a diaphragm (filter paper) 13 for separating cations (Na ⁺ ), an anode filter plate electrode 24 equipped with a diaphragm 23 for separating anions (Cl ^- ), a cation chamber 17 into which the separated cations (Na+) flow together with water as cation liquid (alkaline liquid) 16, and an anion chamber 27 into which the separated anions (Cl ^- ) flow together with water as an anion liquid (acidic liquid) 26.
Furthermore, it is provided with a flat cathode electrode (negative electrode) 25 provided in a position opposite the cathode filter plate electrode 14 in the cation chamber 17, and a flat anode electrode (positive electrode) 15 provided in a position opposite the anode filter plate electrode 24 in the anion chamber 27.

The ion separation device 10P has a first power source 41 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the anode first electrode 24A, a second power source 42 electrically connected to the cathode first electrode 14A and the cathode second electrode 14B, a fourth power source 44 electrically connected to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B, a fifth power source 45 electrically connected to the flat cathode electrode 25 and the cathode second electrode 14B, and a sixth power source 46 electrically connected to the flat anode electrode 15 and the anode second electrode 24B.

The cation chamber 17 is provided with a replacement liquid supply port and a replacement liquid discharge port for supplying a replacement liquid for replacing the migrated cations, and a replacement liquid 110 is supplied into the cation chamber 17. This replacement liquid 110 replaces the cations (Na ⁺ ) that have been migrated into the cation chamber 17 by ion exchange using the cathode filter plate electrode 14, and is replaced by the replacement liquid 110 to become an alkaline liquid 110A.

The anion chamber 27 is provided with a replacement liquid supply port and a replacement liquid discharge port for supplying a replacement liquid 110 for replacing the moved anions, and the replacement liquid 110 is supplied into the anion chamber 27 .
This replacement liquid 110 replaces the anions (Cl ⁻ ) that have been moved into the anion chamber 27 by ion exchange using the anode filter plate electrode 24, and is replaced by the replacement liquid 110 to form an acidic liquid 110B.

In this embodiment, the diaphragm 13 in the cathode filter plate electrode 14 is made of an insulating material, and may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of fibers such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), NY (nylon), or cellulose.

Next, an example of dialysis separation of cations and anions by supplying sodium chloride solution as the supply liquid 11 into the supply chamber 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

As described above, the ions in supply chamber 12 are dissociated into cations (sodium ions: Na ⁺ ) and anions ( chloride ions : Cl ⁻ ).
Positive ions, that is, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ), are attracted to negative cathode first electrode 14 A disposed in supply chamber 12 .

In contrast, chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ) are anions and are therefore blocked by the negative cathode first electrode 14A and cannot pass through the cathode first electrode 14A.

As a result, in the cathode filter plate electrode 14 , the Na ions are attracted to the cathode first electrode 14 A on the cathode side and move into the cation chamber 17 .
At this time, since there is almost no movement of water, as a result, only ions move from the supply liquid (NaCl) 11 to the replacement liquid (distilled water) 110, and are replaced by the replacement liquid 110 to become an alkaline liquid 110A.

Furthermore, chloride ions (Cl ^{− )} , which are anions, are attracted to the anode filter plate electrodes (anode first electrode 24 A, anode second electrode 24 B) 24 disposed in the supply chamber 12 so as to face the cathode filter plate electrode 14 .
When chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ), which are anions, are attracted, the chloride ions are allowed to permeate.
As a result, the permeated chloride ions replace the replacement water 110 to become an acidic liquid 110B.

In contrast, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) in supply chamber 12 are positive ions and are therefore blocked by anode first electrode 24A and cannot pass through anode first electrode 24A.

As a result, sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) are dialyzed and concentrated in the cation chamber 17. Also, chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ) are dialyzed and concentrated in the anion chamber 27. As a result, the third supply and discharge liquid 11C discharged from the supply chamber 12 has a reduced content of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and also a reduced content of chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ).

As described above, according to the ion separation device 10P of this embodiment, in the ionic state of the supply liquid 11 supplied into the supply chamber 12 (a mixture of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and chloride ions (Cl ^- ): pH = 7.0), sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) permeate the cathode filter plate electrode 14 located on the left side of the supply chamber 12, and sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) are concentrated in the cation chamber 17.
At the same time, chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ) permeate the anode filter plate electrode 24 side disposed on the right side of the supply chamber 12 , ^and are concentrated in the anion chamber 27 .

The ion separation between cations and anions in this ion separation device 10P was confirmed by pH and BTB reagent. Here, a 0.05% aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) was used as the supply liquid 11, and the pH of the supply liquid was adjusted with a carbonate buffer so that the pH was 7.0.
At the same time, the pH state in each chamber was visualized by coloring using BTB (bromothymol blue; BTB) reagent.

As a result of this confirmation, the ionic state of the supply liquid 11 supplied to the supply chamber 12 (a mixture of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and chloride ions (Cl ^- ): pH = 7.0) was such that, as a result of ion separation, the pH of the alkaline liquid 110B discharged from the cation chamber 17 became 11.8, and the pH of the acidic liquid 110B6 discharged from the anion chamber 27 became 2.4.

In addition, as a result of testing with the BTB reagent, the supply liquid (pH=7.0) 11 supplied to the supply chamber 12 was green in color, but the alkaline liquid (pH=11.8) 16 in the cation chamber 17 changed to blue, and the acidic liquid (pH=2.4) 26 in the anion chamber 27 changed to yellow. Furthermore, in a flame color reaction test using a copper wire, the alkaline liquid 16 changed to orange due to Na ions, and the acidic liquid 26 changed to green due to copper chloride (CuCl ₂ ), confirming that ion separation was ensured in each flame color reaction test.

As a result, the circulating liquid, which is third supply/discharge liquid 11C discharged from supply chamber 12, has a reduced content of sodium ions (Na ⁺ ) and also a reduced content of chloride ions (Cl ^- ) (pH=4.5).

Furthermore, similar to the ion separation device 10-2 in FIG. 3B described above, a piezoelectric vibrator (excitation member) 80, which is a piezoelectric member, may be installed in the supply chamber 12, the cation chamber 17, and the anion chamber 27. This makes it possible to prevent adhesion of particles 42, and therefore to lower the overall voltage applied to the anode first electrode 24A and the anode second electrode 24B.

[Embodiment 14]
20 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to embodiment 14. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Although the ion separation devices 10M to 10P of the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments have been described with respect to the technology for separating cations or anions in an electrolyte by dialysis, the ion separation device of the present invention is not limited to this.
The ion separation device 10Q of embodiment 14 has the same configuration as the ion separation device 10P of embodiment 19 (see Figure 19) described above, but also performs continuous dialysis separation of ions in a particle-containing supply liquid 51 in which particles (Ptcl ^- in the figure, ``●'') 50 are mixed in the supply liquid supplied to the supply chamber 12.
That is, in the electrodialysis apparatus of the prior art, when particles are present in the material to be separated, the particles adhere to the dialysis membrane, making it impossible to proceed with the electrodialysis.

In contrast, the ion separation device 10 of this embodiment can continue dialysis and separation even when particles are mixed in.
Particles (negatively charged) 50, like anions ( chloride ions ), are repelled by the cathode first electrode 14A and do not move to the cation chamber 17. On the other hand, there is no movement of water in the anion chamber 27, so the particles that moved with the movement of water hardly move at all.
This is because there is no pressure difference between the supply liquid 11 and the replacement liquid 110 in the supply chamber 12 and the anion chamber 27, so that there is almost no movement of water.
As a result, the particles 50 remain in the supply chamber 12, but only both ions (cations and anions) permeate into both chambers (cation chamber 17 and anion chamber 27) and are replaced with the replacement liquid to become alkaline liquid 110A and acidic liquid 110B, respectively.

[Embodiment 15]
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation device according to the fifteenth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 21, the ion separation device 10R of the fifteenth embodiment includes the ion separation device 10P of the thirteenth embodiment (see FIG. 19), a supply tank 55 for supplying an electrolyte solution (supply liquid 11) containing cations, a supply line _L1-1 for supplying the supply liquid 11 from the supply tank 55 to the supply chamber 12 via a supply pump P-1, a circulation line L1-2 for circulating the first supply/discharge liquid 11C from the supply chamber 12 to the supply chamber 12, an alkali line L3-1 for discharging the alkaline liquid 110A from the cation chamber 17 to the alkali tank 56, an alkali line _L3-2 for circulating the alkaline liquid 110A from the alkaline tank 56 to the cation chamber 17 as replacement water by the pump P-2, an acid line L5-1 for discharging the acid liquid 110B from the anion chamber 27 to the acid liquid tank 58, and an acid line _L5-2 for circulating the acid liquid 110B from the acid liquid tank 58 to the anion chamber 27 as replacement water by the pump P-3. It is equipped with _5-2 .

By using the ion separation device 10R of this embodiment 15, the alkaline liquid 110A, which is a cationic liquid that has been replaced with the replacement liquid 110, can be continuously obtained in the alkaline tank 56, and the acidic liquid 110B, which is an anionic liquid that has been replaced with the replacement liquid 110, can be continuously obtained in the acidic liquid tank 58.

[Embodiment 16]
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an ion separation and concentration system including the ion separation device of the eleventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, the ion separation and concentration system 200 of the 16th embodiment includes a valuables concentration device 102 that concentrates a dilute solution 101 containing particles 50, which are valuables, together with the particles 50, and a dilute solution (cations, valuables) containing at least one of cations and anions to produce concentrated valuables 103, and an ion separation device 204 (e.g., ion separation device 10M, ion separation device 10N, ion separation device 10C, or ion separation device 10P) that removes either or both of the cations and anions in the concentrated valuables 103.

An example of a valuables concentrator is a filtration device such as a rotary ceramic membrane filter (Dynafilter; registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this.

According to the ion separation and concentration system 200 of this embodiment, a diluted solution with a low concentration of valuables is concentrated once in the concentrator 102, and then impurities such as cations and anions can be separated from the concentrated valuables 103.

As a result, the valuables are concentrated, the ion concentration in the valuables decreases, and the purity of the valuables improves.

In other words, as explained in the ion separation device 10Q of embodiment 14 using Figure 20, by circulating the particles (●(Ptcl ^- )) 50 as is while separating the cations (Na ions), if the particles (●(Ptcl ^- )) 50 are a valuable material, it becomes possible to easily remove the cations (e.g., Na ions, etc.) that are impurities contained in the valuable material, thereby improving the purity of the product.

In addition, even if the diluted solution contains only anions or a mixture of cations and anions rather than cations, the ions can be easily removed, improving the purity of the product.

The electrode configuration of the ion separation device having the above-mentioned ion dialysis separation function may also be the active electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 12 or the passive electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 13.

[Embodiment 17]
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a seawater desalination system including the seawater desalination apparatus 70 of the above-described ninth embodiment.
23 , a seawater desalination system 1000 according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention includes a first pre-treatment device 1001, a second pre-treatment device 1002 provided downstream of the first pre-treatment device 1001, and a seawater desalination device 70 provided downstream of the second pre-treatment device 1002. Each device is connected by piping.

The first pretreatment device 1001 is, for example, a sand filter device, etc., that includes a pretreatment container into which seawater 1010A taken from the sea is introduced, and a filter material made of filter sand or the like that is filled into the pretreatment container. The seawater 1010A supplied into the first pretreatment container 1001 passes through the filter material, and contaminants such as turbid components or impurities contained in the seawater 1010A are removed.

The second pretreatment device 1002 includes an adsorption vessel (e.g., a column, etc.) (not shown) to which seawater 1010A from the first pretreatment device 1001 is supplied, and a hydrophilic polymer adsorbent, etc., disposed in the adsorption vessel. The hydrophilic polymer adsorbent is a material that can efficiently adsorb biopolymers, which are the main cause of biofouling, among other fouling-causing substances.

23 , a seawater desalination system 1000 takes in seawater 1010 from the sea and supplies the seawater 1010 through piping to a first pretreatment device 1001. The seawater 1010 supplied to the first pretreatment device 1001 is pretreated by the first pretreatment device 1001, and impurities contained in the seawater 1010 are removed.
Pretreated seawater 1010A pretreated in the first pretreatment device 1001 is supplied as first treated water to the second pretreatment device 1002. The second pretreatment device 1002 adsorbs and removes fouling-causing substances contained in the first treated water.
The second treated seawater 1010B from which fouling-causing substances have been adsorbed and removed in the second pretreatment device 1002 is supplied to the seawater desalination device 70 and separated into concentrated water 1011 and fresh water 1012 by the seawater desalination device 70.

As described above, in the reverse osmosis membrane method using a reverse osmosis membrane generally used in seawater desalination equipment, seawater with a salinity of 3.5% is reduced to a salinity of 0.05% for use as drinking water, but it is possible to desalinate seawater to a sodium ion concentration equal to or higher than this. Furthermore, seawater can be desalinized even when it contains particles (for example, living organisms such as plankton, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.). In other words, particles contained in seawater can be separated if they are charged to one of the two.
Therefore, depending on the particles to be removed, it may be possible to omit the installation of the second pre-treatment device 1002. This allows the system configuration to be simplified.

The present invention can be used in ion separation devices and ion separation methods in general that can efficiently separate ions in a solution.

10A to 10R Ion separation device 11 Electrolyte solution (supply liquid)
11A First supply and discharge liquid 11B Second supply and discharge liquid 11C Third supply and discharge liquid 12 Supply chamber 12a Inlet 12b Supply liquid introduction line 12c Third discharge port 13 Diaphragm (filter material)
14 Cathode filter plate electrode 14A Cathode first electrode 14B Cathode second electrode 15 Flat plate anode electrode 16 Cationic liquid (alkaline liquid)
17 Cation chamber 17a First discharge port 22 Supply chamber 24 Anode filter plate electrode 24A Anode first electrode 24B Anode second electrode 25 Flat plate cathode electrode 26 Anion liquid (acid liquid)
27 Anion chamber 27a Second discharge port 50 Particles 51 Particle mixed supply liquid 51A Drain liquid 70 Seawater desalination equipment 71 Sodium chloride aqueous solution (seawater)
80 Piezoelectric vibrator 100 Ion separation and concentration system 110 Replacement liquid 110A Alkaline liquid 110B Acidic liquid 1000 Seawater desalination system DW Distilled water P Supply pump

Claims (18)

a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
A cathode filter plate electrode having a diaphragm having pores for separating cations, the cathode filter plate electrode being disposed on both sides of the supply chamber, and a flat anode electrode;
a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid;
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the diaphragm;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
An ion separation device comprising : a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
an anode filter plate electrode having a diaphragm having pores for separating anions, the anode filter plate electrode being disposed on both sides of the supply chamber; and a flat cathode electrode.
an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid ;
The anode filter plate electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
An ion separation device comprising : a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
a cathode filter plate electrode provided on each side of the supply chamber and having a diaphragm having pores for separating cations; and an anode filter plate electrode provided on each side of the supply chamber and having a diaphragm having pores for separating anions;
a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid;
an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid ;
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the membrane;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The anode filter plate electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
An ion separation device comprising : An ion separation device comprising an ion separation device according to claim 1 and an ion separation device according to claim 2 connected in series to form a stack, and two or more of these stacks connected in series. 4. The ion separation device according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is in contact with the first cathode electrode and the second cathode electrode on both sides . 4. The ion separation device according to claim 2, wherein the diaphragm is in contact with the first anode electrode and the second anode electrode on both sides . A concentrating device for concentrating the valuable material in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable material and cations;
An ion separation and concentration system comprising: an ion separation device according to claim 1 for removing cations in the concentrated solution. A concentrating device for concentrating the valuable material in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable material and anions;
3. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: an ion separation device according to claim 2 for removing anions in the concentrated solution. A concentrating device for concentrating an electrolyte solution containing at least one of a cation and an anion together with a valuable substance;
4. An ion separation and concentration system comprising: an ion separation device according to claim 3 for removing either or both of cations and anions from the concentrated solution. 2. The ion separation device according to claim 1 , further comprising a flat cathode electrode disposed opposite said cathode filter plate electrode in said cation chamber. 3. The ion separation device according to claim 2 , further comprising a flat anode electrode located opposite said cathode filter plate electrode in said anion chamber. a flat cathode electrode located opposite the cathode filter plate electrode in the cation chamber;
4. The ion separation device according to claim 3 , further comprising a flat anode electrode located opposite said cathode filter plate electrode in said anion chamber. A concentrating device for concentrating the valuable material in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable material and cations;
An ion separation and concentration system comprising: an ion separation device according to claim 10 for removing cations in the concentrated solution. A concentrating device for concentrating the valuable material in an electrolyte solution containing the valuable material and anions;
An ion separation and concentration system comprising: an ion separation device according to claim 11 for removing anions in the concentrated solution. A concentrating device for concentrating an electrolyte solution containing at least one of a cation and an anion together with a valuable substance;
An ion separation and concentration system comprising: an ion separation device according to claim 12 for removing either or both of cations and anions from the concentrated solution. a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
A cathode filter plate electrode having a diaphragm having pores for separating cations, the cathode filter plate electrode being disposed on both sides of the supply chamber, and a flat anode electrode;
a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid;
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the diaphragm;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The cathode second electrode 14B is set to a first potential (V1),
The cathode first electrode 14A is set to a second potential (V2),
The flat anode electrode 15 is set to a third potential (V3),
The potentials supplied from the first power supply and the second power supply are V3>V2>V1, and the absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber (|V1|>|V2|), thereby separating cations. a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
an anode filter plate electrode having a diaphragm having pores for separating anions, the anode filter plate electrode being disposed on both sides of the supply chamber; and a flat cathode electrode.
an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid;
The anode filter plate electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
The anode second electrode 24B is set to the anode first potential (V11),
The anode first electrode 24A is set to an anode second potential (V12),
The flat cathode electrode 25 is set to a fourth cathode potential (V4),
The potentials supplied from the third power source 43 and the fourth power source 44 are V4<V12<V11, and the absolute value of the potential of the anode electrode increases as it moves away from the supply chamber 12 (|V11|>|V12|), thereby separating anions. a feed chamber for supplying a feed solution, the feed solution being an electrolyte solution including cations and anions;
a cathode filter plate electrode provided on each side of the supply chamber and having a diaphragm having pores for separating cations; and an anode filter plate electrode provided on each side of the supply chamber and having a diaphragm having pores for separating anions;
a cation chamber into which the separated cations flow together with water as a cation liquid;
an anion chamber into which the separated anions flow together with water as an anion liquid;
The cathode filter plate electrode is
a cathode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
a cathode second electrode having a hole disposed on the cation chamber side across the membrane;
a first power source electrically connected to the anode electrode and the cathode first electrode of the flat plate;
a second power source electrically connected to the cathode first electrode and the cathode second electrode;
The anode electrode is
an anode first electrode having a hole on the supply chamber side;
an anode second electrode having a hole disposed on the anion chamber side across the diaphragm;
a third power source electrically connected to the cathode electrode and the anode first electrode of the flat plate;
a fourth power source electrically connected to the anode first electrode and the anode second electrode;
The cathode second electrode is at a first potential (V1);
The cathode first electrode is at a second potential (V2);
The flat anode electrode is set to a third potential (V3), and the potentials supplied from the first power source and the second power source are V3>V2>V1, and the absolute value of the potential of the cathode electrode increases as it is farther away from the supply chamber (|V1|>|V2|),
The anode second electrode is set to an anode first potential (V11);
The anode first electrode is at an anode second potential (V12);
The cathode electrode of the flat plate is set to a fourth cathode potential (V4), and the potentials supplied from the third power source and the fourth power source are set to V4<V12<V11.
a potential of the anode electrode having a potential that is greater in absolute value than the ...

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