CapDI

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Introduction

History and social context

Voltea commercializes Capacitive Deionization (CapDI) in a number of applications, ranging from industrial water re-use to residential water softening. CapDI is the world’s most efficient system to desalinate brackish water.

In 2004, Unilever scientists began evaluating CapDI as a built-in water softening device for domestic washing machines. Voltea was founded in 2006 to exploit the technology in a broader range of applications. In 2008, Voltea acquired Biosource to consolidate all relevant patents on CapDI technology in one IP portfolio.

Voltea’s CapDI technology has been recognized by numerous awards including best new technology award at the 2010 Global Water Summit, most creative company in Europe by CNBC and The Artemis Top 50 of water technology companies 2011.

How does CapDI work?

In CapDI, water flows through a small electrical field of 1.5 volts that is created by a pair of electrodes. Dissolved ions are pulled out of the water stream, toward the electrodes. The electrodes are separated from the water by membranes that selectively allow only positive or negative ions to pass. CapDI is effective at removing all type of ions from water (e.g. calcium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, carbonate…).

Major Steps of the CapDI Process:

Step 1. Purification; As saline water flows into the CapDI module, the oppositely charged electrodes attract the ions and pull them through the selective membranes where the ions collect on the electrodes. Clean, desalinated water flows out of the system.

Step 2. Regeneration; Once the surfaces of the electrodes become saturated with ions, they are regenerated by reversing the electrical charge of the electrodes. Since like charges repel, the ions are pushed out of the electrodes and become trapped between the membranes.

Step 3. Flushing; The concentrated brine between the two membranes is flushed from the system. The charge of the electrodes is returned to normal and the system is again ready to desalinate.

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Voltea’s award-winning desalination technology, CapDI (Capacitive deionization), is a simple and innovative way to remove dissolved salts from water with high recovery rate and low energy consumption.

The benefits of CapDI

High water recovery rate CapDI typically recovers between 80% and 90% of the water it treats, compared to 50-70% for reverse osmosis. This is good for the environment and can save costs, both in overall water intake and in brine water discharge.

Scalable

Voltea’s CapDI systems are based on a single technology platform, which allows for variable salt removal, and is scalable across water volumes ranging from a few milliliters per minute to thousands of cubic meters per hour. This flexibility means CapDI can be used in a wide array of applications, from residential white goods to large industrial cooling towers.

Sustainable

CapDI is the most energy efficient technology available for removing salt from brackish water. CapDI saves electricity by reusing the energy stored in the electrodes during desalination, a process similar to recharging a battery. Unlike competing desalination technologies, CapDI does not require any chemicals such as biocides or anti-scalants.

Company Information

Voltea B.V.

Wasbeekerlaan 24

2171 AE Sassenheim

The Netherlands

+31 (0)252 200 100

www.voltea.com

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Disclaimer

On this page, a commercial water treatment system is presented. The information on this page has been provided by the company who produce the products, and has not been checked by Akvo. The appearance on this page does not mean that Akvo endorses the product. If you would like to add a product, please contact m.t.westra akvo.org.

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