BACKGROUND OF mE DISCLOSURE
The mvenlion relales generally to desalination sj'Stems and methotls.
More particularly, this invoilion relates to desalination systerre md me^ods using
electi'ical separation (E-separaiion) elements.
In industrial processes, large amotsnts of wastewater, such as aqueous
saline solutions are produced, GeneraJly, such saline solutions are not suitable for
direct consumption in domestic or indastriai .ipplications. In view of the limited
eligible water soi«-ces, de-ionization or desaltification of wastewater, seawater or
brackish water, commonly known as desalination, becomes an option to produce fresh
water.
DitTerem desalination processes, such as distillatioit, vaporization,
reversed osmosis, and partial freezing are currently employed to de-ioni/e or desalt a
water source, However, such proc^ses can suffer from low efFicienc>' and high
energN' consiaviption, which may prohibit them from being widely implemented.
Therefore, titers is a need for a new and improved desalination system
and method for desalination of wastew ater or brackish water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOE DISCLOSURE
A desalination system is provided in accordance vvith one embodiment
of the invention. The desalination .system comprises an electrical separation device
configured to receive a first stream for desalination and a crsstallization device. Tlie
civstallizaiion device is configured to provide a second stream to the electrical
separation device to can>^ away ions removed from the first stream, and defines a
civ'slalli/ation /.one for facilitating precipitation of Die ions. Tlie cty.staUi/,ation
device further defines a solid-liquid separation zone in fluid communication with the
Cfjstallii^ation zone for separation of the precipitate.
A desalination metliod is provided in accordance with another
embodimem of tiie invention. The desalination metJiod comprises passing a first
stream through an electrical separation device for desalination, and passing a second
stream from a crystallization device through the electrical separation device to earn
away salts removed from the first stream. The cnstalli/ation device defines a
cn.sla1Jization zone for facilitating precipitation of tlie ions and a solid-liquid
separation zone iti fluid communicatTon wiih the cr\stallization zone for separation of
the precipitate.
These and otiier advantages and leatxires will be better understood from
the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention that is
provided in connection vvitlt tlie accompatning drawings,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a scliematic diagram of a desalination system in accordaice
witli one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the desalination .wstem including a
supercapacftor desalination (SCO) device and the crsstalli/ation device in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the desalination system in accordance
with another embodiment of tlie invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the desalination system including an
electrodiaiysis reversal (EDR) device and the crv'stalli/ation device in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention: and
FIG. 5 is aschemiUic diagrjvm of the desalination system in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the invention.
3
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of tlie present disclosure will be described
hereitibelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In tlie foHowing
description, well-known fuiKlions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid
obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary- detail.
FIG. I is a schematic diagram of a desalination system H) in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. For the illustrated example, the
desalination system 10 comprises an electrical separation (E-separation) device 11
and a crsstallizalion device 12 in fluid communication with the E-separaJion device
11.
In embodiments of the invesntion, the E-separation device 11 is
configitfed to receive a first stream 13 (as shown in FIG. I) having charged species,
such as salts or other impurities from a liquid source (not shOAvii) for desalination.
Tlius, an output stream (a product stream) 14, which may be a dilute liquid coming
out of the E-separation device 11, may have a lower concentration of tiie charged
species as compared to the stream 13. In some examples, the output stream 14 may
be circulated into tl^e E-separation device M or be sent into other B-sepaiation
devices for further desalination.
The crv'StalUzaiion device 12 is configured to provide a liquid 15
circulated into the E-separation device 11 during or after desalination of the first
stream ! 3 so as to carry tiie charged species (anions and cations) removed from the
input stream 13 out of the E-separation device 11. Thus, an outflow stream (a
concentrated stream) 16 may have a higher concentration of charged species
compared to a second stream 17 input into the E-separatton device 11 from the
ciystallization device 12. As the circulation of the liquid 15 continues, tlte
concentration of the salts or other impurities continually increases so as to be
saturated or supersaturated in the liquid 1.5. As a resuh, the degree of saturation or the
supersaturation may reach a point where precipitation begins to take place.
In certain applications, tlie iiiiliai (llrst) stream 13 and (lie initial
(second) stream 17 may or may not comprise the sattie salts or impurities, and may or
may not hase the same concentration of the salts or the impurities. In other examples,
the concentration of the salts or impurities in the initial (second) stream 17 may or
may not be saturated or supersaturated.
In some embodiments, tlte E-separation device 11 mm- comprise a
supercapacilor desalination (BCD) device. Tlie term "SCD device" may generally
indicate supercapacitors that are employed for desalination of seawater or
deionizalion of otlier brackish waters to reduce the amount ol' salt or otlier ionized
impurities to a permissible level for domestic and industrial use.
In certain applications, the supercapacitor desalination device may
comprise one or more supercapacitor desalination cells (not shown). As is known, in
non-limiting examples, each supercapacilor desalination cell mav- ai least comprise a
pair of electrodes, a spacer, and a pair of current collectors attached to the respective
electrodes. A plurality' of insulating separators may be disposed between each pair of
adjacent SCD ceils when more than one suj^rcapacitor desalination cell stacked
together is employed.
In embodiments of the invention, the current collectors may be
connected to positive and negative terminals of a power source (not shown),
respectively. Since the electrodes aje in contact with the respective current collectors,
the electrodes may act as anodes and cathodes, respectively.
During a charging stale of tlie supercapacitor desalination device 11,
positive and negative electrical charges from the power source accumulate on siir.Faces
of the anodets) and the cathode(s), respectively. Accordingly, when a liquid, such as
the first stream 13 (as shown in FIG. 1) is passed through the SCD device 11 for
desalination, the positive and negative eleclrical charges attract anions and cations in
the ioni/ed first sfream 13 to caxtse them to be adsorbed on the surfaces of the anode(s)
and the cathode(s), respectively. As a result of the charge accumulation on the
anode(s) m\d tlie cathode(s), an outflow stream, such as the output stream 14 ma>
have a lower salinity thaji the first strearn 13. In certain e.\amples, the dilute outflow
streajn may be subjected to de-ioni>ation again by being fed through aiiotlier SCD
device.
T{ie«j in a dischaiging stale of the supercapacitor desalination device
I ], the adsorbed anions and cations dissociate from the surfaces of the anode(s) and
tlie ca{hode(s), respectively. Accordingly, when a liquid^ such as the second stream
17 passes through the SCD device 11, the desorbed anions and cations may be carried
away from liie SCD device 11, so that ait output liquid, such as the outflow stream 16
may have a higher sahnity than the second stream 17. As the liquid is circulated to
pass through the SCD device in the discliarging state^ the conceiitration of the salts or
other impurities in the liquid 15 increases so as to produce precipitate. After the
discharging of tlie SCD device is exhausted, the SCD device is then placed in a
charging state for a peritxi of time for preparation of a subsequent discharging. That
is, the charging and tl^e discharging of the SCD device are alternated for treating the
fii^t stream 13 and the second stream 17, respectively.
In certain examples, the enejigy released in the discharging state may
be used to drive an electrical device (not shown), such as a light bulb, or ma\^ be
recovered using an energy recovery- cell, sudi as a bi-directional DC-DC converter.
In other non-limiting examples, similar to the SCD cells stacked
together, the supercapacitor desalination device 11 may comprise a pair of electrodes,
a pair of current collectors attached to tlie respective electrodes, one or more bipolar
electrodes di.sposed between the pair of electrodes, and a pluialily of spacers disposed
between each of the pairs of adjacent electrodes for prwessing the first sireitm 13 in a
cliarging state and the second stream 17 in a discharging state. Each bipolar electrode
has a positive side ajid a negative side, separated by an ion-impemieabie layer.
In some embodiments, tlte current collectors ma>' be configured as a
plate, a mesh, a foil, or a sheet and formed ftom a metal or metal alloy. Tlie metal
may include titanium, platinum, iridium, or Atxlium, for example. The metal jjloys
may include stainless steel, for example. In other embodiments, the current collectors
may comprise graphite or a plastic material, such as a polyolefin, which may include
polyethylene. In certain applications, the plastic current collectors ma>' be mixed witli
conductive avbon blacks or metallic particles to achieve a certain level of
conducti\itN'.
The electrodes and/or bipolar electrodes may include electrically
conductive materials, which may or may not be thermaUy conductive, and may have
particles with smaller sixes and large surface areas, in some examples, the electrically
conductive material mm include one or more carbon materials. Non-limiting
examples of the carbon materials include activated carbon paiticles, porous carbon
particles, carbon fibers, carbon aerogels, porous mesocarbon microbeads, or
combinations thereof In otlier examples, the electrically conductive materials may
include a conductive composite, such as oxides of manganese, or iron, or both, or
carbides of titanium, zirconium, vanadium, tungsten, or combinations thereof
Additionally, the spacer ma>' comprise any ion-permeable,
electronically nonconditctive material, including membranes and porous and
nonporous materials to separate (he pair of electrodes. In non-limiting examples, the
spacer may have or itself may be space to form flow channels through which a liquid
for processing pa,sses between the pair of electrodes.
In certain exantples, the electrodes, the current collectors, and/or the
bipolar electrodes nm be in the form of plates that are disposed parallel to each other
to form a stacked stnictiire. In other examples, the electrodes, the current collectors,
and/or the bipolar elecU'odes may have varied shapes, such as a sheet, a block, or a
cylinder. Further, the electrodes, the current collectors, and/or the bipolar electrodes
m{»y be arranged in varv'ing configurations. For example, the electrodes, the current
collectors, and/or the bipolar electrodes may be disposed concentrically with a spiral
rn^d continuous space tl^erebetween. Other descriptions of tlie supercapacitor
de^salination device can be found in U.S. Patent application publication 20080185346,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirely.
For certain arrangements, the E-separation device 11 ma\' comprise an
eiectrodialysis reversal (EDR) device (not shown). The terra "KDR" may indicate an
electrochemical sepaiation process using ion exchange membranes to remove ions or
charged species from water aid other fluids.
1
As is known, in some non-limiting examples, (he EDR device
comprises a pair of electrodes configured to act as an anode and a catliode,
respect!\'el>-, A pluraJit>' of alternating anion- and cation-permeable membranes are
disposed between the anode and the cathode to form a plurali(>' of alternating dihrte
and concentrate channe!s therebetween. Hie anion-pemieable membra»e(s) are
configured to be passable for anions. The cation-permeable niembrane(s) aie
configured to be passable for cations. Additionally, the .EDR device may further
comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between each pair of (he membranes, and
between the electrodes and the adjacent membranes.
Accordingly, while an electrical current is apphed to the EDR device
M, hquids, such as the streams 13 atid 17 (as shown in F.IG. 1) pass through the
respective alternating dilute and concentrate channels, respectively. In the dilute
clianneis. the first streain 13 is ionized. Cations in the first stream 13 migrate through
tlie caiion-pernieable membranes fowards the catliode to enler into the adjacait
channels. The anions migrate tl^rough the anion-permeable membranes towards the
anode to enter into other adjitcem channels. In Ihe adjacent channels (concentrate
channels) located on each side of a dilute channel the cations may not migrate
through the aiiion-penneable membranes, and the anions may not migrate through the
cation permeable menibranes, even tlwugh the electrical field exerts a force on the
ions toward the respective electrode (e.g. anions are pulled toward the anode).
Therefore, the anions and cations remain in and are concentrated in tl\e concentrate
channels.
.As a result, the second streajti 17 passes through the concentrate
channels to cany the concentrated anions and cations out of tlie EDR device 11 so
that tlie outflow stream 16 may be have a higher salinity than the input stream. After
the circulation of the liquid 15 in the EDR device 11, the precipitation of the salts or
otlier impurities may occur in the ciystallization device 12.
In some examples, tl^e polarities of the efecti'odes of the EDR device
II may be reversed, for example, even- 15-50 minutes so as to reduce the fouling
tendency of the anions and cations in the concentrate channels. Thus, in the reversed
poiatity state, the dilute channels from the nomtai polarily stale may act as the
concentration channels for the second sireajn 17,, and the concentration channels from
the normal poiarily state may function as the clihition channels for the first stream 13.
In some applications, the electrodes maj- include electrically
conductive materials, which may or may not be thermally conductive, and may have
particles with smaller sixes and large surface areas. The spacers raa>' comprise any
ion-i.)ermeable, electronically nonconduclive material, including membranes and
|X)rou.s iind nonporous materials. In non-limiting examplas, the cation permeable
membrane may comprise a qiiatemar\^ amine group. 'ITie anion permeable membrane
may comprise a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group.
It should be noted thai the E-separation device 11 is not limited to any
particular supercapacitor desalination (SCD) device or any pailicular elecirodialysis
reversd (EDR) device for processing a liquid. Moreover, the suffix "(s)" as used
above is usually intended to include both the singular and the plural of the lerm that it
modifies, thereby including one or more of thai term.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of tlie desalination system 10 including
a supercapacitor desalination (SCD) device KX* and a crvstalli/ation device 12. The
same numerals in FIGS. 1-5 may indicate the similar elements.
For the illustrated arrangement, during a charging state, a first stream
13 from a liquid source (not shown) passes through a valve ill) and enters into the
SCD device H)0 for desalination. In this state, a flow path of an input stream 17 to
the SCD device is closed in the valve 110. A dilute stream (a product stream) 14
flows from the SCD device 100 and passes through a viilve Hi for use and has a
lower concentration of salts or other impurities as compared lo the first stream 13. In
certain examples, the dilute stream may be redirected into the SCD device 11 for
further processing.
In a dischaiging state, the second stream 17 is pumped by a pump 18
from the cn'slallization device 12. aitd passes through a fHter \9 and the valve 110 lo
enter into the SCD device UK) to cany ions (anions and cations) therefrom, and an
outflow sireain 16 flows from the BCD device 100 md passes tlirough tlie valve 111,
and has a higher concentration of the salt or other impurities as compared with the
second stream 17. fn this slate, the flow path of an input stream 13 lo the SCD device
is closed in the valve 110. Additionally, the filler 19 is configured to filter some
particles to avoid clogging the SCD device 100. ]n certain applications, the filter 19
may not be provided.
As depicted in FIG. 2, the cnstatlization device 12 comprises a vessel
20 configured to define a containment zone (not labeled) to accommodate Hie liquid
15 (as shovvB in FIG. 1) and a crvstallization element 21 defining a crvstallization
/.one (not labeled) disposed within and in fluid communication with the containment
/.one. Thus, a solid-liquid separation zone 200 is defitied between the crystalli/alion
element 21 said an outside wall of the vessel 20 for solid-liquid separation, so that a
part of precipitate particles of the salts or other impurities may be separated by
settling into a lower portion of the vessel 20 before the liquid 15 is circulated into the
E-separation device, such as tlte SCD device 100 from the ciystaOization device 12,
In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the vessel 20 is coneshaped.
The crystalli/ation element 21 has a hollow cs'lindrical shape to define the
crj stallization zone and comprises a lower opening 201 in communication with the
vessel 20. In some non-limiting examples, the vessel 20 may have other sliapes, such
as cylindrical or rectangular shapes. Similaiiy, tlie crystallization element 21 may
also comprise other shapes, such as rectangular or cone shapes Additionally, an
upper opening 202 in communication with the bottom opening 201 of the
crsstaliization element 21 may or may not be provided to communicate with tiie
vessel 20.
Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 2, tlie output stream 16 is redirected
into the cAstallization zone from an upper end (not labeled) of the crystallization
element 21, and then dispersed into the solid-liquid separation zone 200 between the
cr\ staliizaiion element 21 and the vessel 20 from the lower opening 201 and''Of the
upper opernng 202 of the crystalii/.ation element 21 for solid-liquid separation md
circulation. With the circulation of the liqtiid 15 between the SCD device 100 and the
(0
cr\'StaJ!i/.a!ioii device 12, the precipitation of (formed by) the ions occurs and
increases in the crvslalJi/ation device 12 over time. Thus, tlie precipitate particles
with di stallization zone so as to facilitate the flow
of the liquid 15 in the cr>'staIlization zone atid Uie confinement zone. Normally, the
valve 26 blocks a fiow path of a discharge (waste) stream 27. In certain examples, the
device 25 may be further used to wear away particles in the portion of the liquid 15.
11
By ihe particle aUrition in device 25, a portion of formed precipitate
particles may be suspended in the liquid 15 to act as aoed particles to increase the
coniacl area beiween the particles and ihe salts or impurities therein to induce more
precipitation on surfaces of the formed precipitate particles. In some examples, the
coniining element 22 may not be employed. Similarly, in particular examples, the
agitator 23 and'or the pump 25 may also not be provided.
For the arrangement jliustrated in FIG. 2, the crystalii/ation zone and
the solid-liquid separation zone are both definal within the same vessel 20. In some
non-limiting examples, the crv'stallization zone and the solid-liquid separation zone
may be spatially separated from each otlier.
FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of the desalination system in accordmice
witli another embodiment of the invention. For the ease of illustration, some elements
are not depicteti. For the illustrated arrangement, the crystallization device 12
comprises a crvstallization element 21 defining the crystallizjrtion zone and a
separation element 205 spatially sepaiated from tl^e crvstallization element 21 and
defining the solid-liquid separation zone 200.
.Accordingly, similar to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the
output stream 16 is redirected into the ciystalligation zone for facilitating the
precipitation of the salts or other impurities, and tlien flows into the solid-liquid
separation zone 200 to separate a portion of the precipitate from the liquid 15 before
the liquid 15 is circulated into the E-sepaiation device 11.
In sottie examples, the liquid 15 is origitmlly accommodated into the
cr\'staiii/iiiion element 21 and/or the separation element 25. The crj'stallizalion
device 12 may comprise two or more spatially separated elements to define the
crystallization zone and the solid-liquid separation zone, respectively. In certain
examples, non-limiting examples of the separation element 205 for defining tlie solidliquid
separation zone may comprise a vessel, a hydrocjclone, a centrifuge, a filter
press, a cartridge filter, a microilhration, and an ultraJlltration device.
In some embodiments, the precipitation of the salts or other impurities
jnay not occur untii tlie degree of saturation or supefisaturation thereof is very high.
For exanipie, CaSO.( reaches a degree of sopersaturation of 500% before its
precipitation occurs, which may be disadvantageous to the system. Accordingly, in
cenain examples, seed particles (not shown) may be added into tiie vessel 20 to
induce the precipitation on surfaces tliereof at a lower degree of supersaturation of the
salts or other impurities. Addiiionally, the iigitator 23 and.br the pump 25 may be
provided to facilitate suspension of the seed parftcles in the vessel 20.
In non-limiting examples, the seed particles imy have at> average
dJaineter range from about 1 to about 5(X) microns, and may have a weight range from
about O.i weight f^ercwjt (\vt %) lo alwut 30 wt % of the weight of the liquid in the
crs'stalli/ation /.one. In some examples, the seed particles mity have an average
diameter range from about 5 to about 1 (X) microns, and may have a weight range from
about 1.0 wi % to about 20 wt % of tlie weight of the liquid in the ciystallization zone.
In certain applications, the seed particlesS may comprise solid particles including, but
not limited to CaS04 particles and their hydrates to induce the precipitation. The
CaSO^ particles may have an average diameter range from about 10 microns to ^out
100 microns. In some example, the equilibrium CaSO^ seed particle loading may be
in a range of from about 0.1 wt % to about 2.0 wt % of the weight of the liquid in the
crs'stalii/aiion zone, so that the supersaturation of the CaS04 in the crjstailization
device 12 may be controlled in a range offrom about 100% to about 150% in
operation when CaS04 precipitation occurs.
In other examples, one or more additives 24 may be added into the
outflow stream 16 to reduce tlie degree of saturation or supersaturation of some
species. For example, an acid additive may be added into the outflow stream 16 to
reduce the degree saturation or supereaturation of CaCO;;. In certttin examples, the
additives may or may not be added into the first stream 13.
If should be noted that the seed particles and the additives are not
limited to my paiticulai seed piuticles or additives, and ma>' be selected based on
different applications.
12"
In certain examples, a certain amount of a stream 29 may be removed
from tiiie liquid 15 to maintain a constant volume and/or reduce the degree of
saturation or supersattiraiion of some species in the vessel 20. The stream 29 may be
mixed with a stream 30 removed from the bottom portion of the vessel 20 using the
pump 25 to form tlie discharge (waste) stream 27.
In some examples, the stream 30 may comprise ten or more weight
percent of the precipitate. For these examples, the valve 26 blocks the (low patli for
the circulation of the liquid }5. AdditionaJiy, a valve 204 may also be disposed on the
lower portion to facilitate evacuating the vessel 20,
For the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the stream 16 is fed into the
vessel 20 from an upper portion of the vessel 20. Alternatively, the outflow stream 16
/nay be fed into the vessel 20 from the lower portion thereof Other aspects of the
desalination system 10 may be found in LIS, Patent application publication
20080185346, which is cited above.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the desalination system including an
eiectrodiaiysis reversal (EDR) device 101 and a crystallization device 12 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The arrajtigetnettt in FIG, 3 is
similar to the arrangement in FIG. 2. The two arrangements in FIGS. 2 and 3 differ in
that the E-separation device comprises the EDR device 101.
Thus, in a state when the EDR device is at a normal polarity state,
streams 13 and 17 from a liquid source (not showti) and a vessel 20 pass through first
valves 31 and 32 along respective first input pipes, as indicated by solid lines 33 ajid
34 to enter into the EDR device 101. A dilute stream 14 and an outflow stream 16
pass through second valves 35 and 36 and to enter into respective first output pipes, as
indicated by solid hnes 37 and 38.
When the EDR device is in a reversed polarity state, the streams 13
and 17 may enter the EDR device 101 along respective second input pi|5e.s, as
indicated by broken lines 39 and 40. The dilute stream 14 and the outflow stream 16
may flow along respective second output pipes, as indicated b>- broken lines 41 and
42. 'Thus, the input streams ajid tl^e output sti'eam may be alternately entered into
respecti\ e pipes to mininii/e the scaJing tendencv.
\Mie(i the precipitation rate plus ilie blow down rate of tlie jstreain 27
equals the rernovat rate of the charged species, the degree of saturation or
supersaturation of the concentrate stream circulating between the EDR device and the
crsstaljization device imy sUhUi/e and a dynamic equilibrium may be established.
FIO. 5 is a schematic diagram of the desalination system 10 in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. For the ease of illustration,
some elements are not depicted. As depicted in FIG. 4, the desalination system 10
may fitriher include an evaporator 43 and a ciystallizer 44 to evaporate and ciystallize
the discharge stream 27 so as to improve the stream usage and to achieve zero liquid
discharge (ZLD). The evaporator 43 and the ciystallizer 44 ma>' be readily
implemented by one skilled in the art. In one non-limiting example, the crvstallizer
44 niijy be a thermal crv'stallizer, such as a doer. In certain applications, the
evaporator 43 and./or the ciystailizer 44 may not be employed.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in typical
embodiments, it is not intended to be lirniled to the details shown, ,since various
modifications and substitutions can be made without departing in any way from tha
spirit of tlie present disclosure. As such, further modifications and equivalents of the
disclosure herein disclosed may occur to persons skilled in the ail using no more than
routine experimentation, and all such modifications and equivalents are believed to be
Avithin the spirit jwid scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

We Claims
1. A desaJination system comprising:
ai electrical separation device configured to receive a first
slream for desaiinafion; and
a cPk^staUization device configured to provide a second sti'eam
to the electrical separation device to carrv away ions from the first stream, and
defming a crvslaUization /.one for facilitating precipitation of the ions and a soiidliquid
separation /one in fluid communication with the crvstaJli/ation zone for
separation of the precipitate.
2. 'llie desalination system of claim 1, wherein the crs's^aJlization
device comprises a crystallization element defining the cr> stallization zone.
3. Tlie desalination system of claim 2, wherein the crv'Sialli/ation
device further comprises a vessel defining a containment zone, wherein Ihe
crv'stalU/Jition zone is disposed within and in fluid communication with the
containment zone so that the solid-liquid separation zone is defined between the
vessel and the crvstaliixation element.
4. The desalination system of claim 2, wherein the crv'stallization
device further comprises a cojifmiz^g element with at least a portion thereof disposed
in the crvstallizaiion zone to define a confinement zone in Cluid communication with
the crvstallization 5?:one for facilitating the precipitation within the crs'stallization
device.
5. Hie desalination system of claim 4, wherein each of the first
and confining elements has a cv'^lindrical shape.
6. The desalination system of claim 2, wherein the ctystallizalion
zone and the solid-liquid separation zone are spatially separated from each other.
7. The desalination system of claim 6, wherein tire crvstallization
device comprises a separation element spatially separated from the crjstailization
element and defining the solid-liquid separation zone.
8. 'riie desalination system of claim 7, wherein the solid-liquid
sepaialion element comprises one or more of a vessel, a settler, a cartridge filter, a
filler press, a microfiltrjrtion device, a ultrafdtraiion device, a hydrocs'clone, and a
centrifuge.
9. The desalination system of claim I, wherein the electrical
separation device comprises a supercapacitor desalination device or an electrodialysis
reversal device, wherein the supercapacitor desalination device receives the first
stream during a charging state and receives the second stream during a discharging
state, and wherein the electrodialysis reversal device receives the first stream and the
second stream simultmeously.
10. 'file desalination system of claim 1, wherein tiie second stream
comprises a saturated stream or a supersaturated streatn.
11. Tl^e d^alination system of claim 1, wherein the second steam
is redirected into the crvstaOi/ation device from the crj'Siailization zone after passing
tl^rough the electrical separation device so as to be circulated between the electrical
separation device and the cnstallization device,
12. The desalination system of claim 1, further comprising an
agitator extending into the ciystallization zone.
13. The desalination system of claim 1, further coniprisitig a device
in fluid communication witli the ci) stallization device and configured to direct a part
of the second stream out of and into the cr\-stallization device.
14. 'ITie desalination system of claim 13, wherein the device is
further configured to wear away panicles in a part of tiie second streajn.
15. Tlie desalination system of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of seed particles disposed within tlie cr>staUization device to induce
precipitation.
n
16. 'Hie desalination system of claim 15, wherein tlie seed particles
have an average diameter range from about 1 micron to about 500 microns.
17. Tlie desalination system of claim i 5, wherein lixe seed panicles
have an average diameter nuige from about 5 micron to about 100 microns.
18. The desalination system of claim ! 5, wherein the seed particles
have a weight range from about 0.1 weight percent (wt %) to about 30 vvt % of a
weight of the second stream in tlie crystallization zone.
19. The desalination system of claim 15, wherein the seed particles
have a weight range from about 1.0 weight percent (wt %) to about 20 wt % of a
weight of the second stream in the crsstallizatjon zone,
20. A desalination method comprising:
passing a first stream through an electrical separation device for
desalination; and
passing a second stream from a crv'stallization devicQ- througli
the electrical separation device to carrs' away ions from the first stream, v\4ierein the
crs'Stalli/ation device is configured to provide the second stream to the electrical
separation device to cairj- away ions from the first stream, and defining a
cn'slallization zone for facilitating precipitation of tlie ions and a solid-liquid
separation /.one in fluid commtrnication with the crvstalli/atTon /.one for separation of
the precipitate.
21. 'ITie desalination metliod of claim 20, further comprising
redirecting the second stream into tlie crvstalli/Mon /.one of the crystalli/ation device
after pas.sirtg through the electrical separation device so as to circulate the second
stream between the electrical separation device and the crvstallization device.
22. The desalination method of claim 21, further comprising
providing one or more additives into the second stream after the second stream passes
tlirough the electrical separation device to reduce a concentration of one or more
species in the second stream.
fa
23. 'file desalination metliod of claim 20, funher comprising
providing a plurality of seed particles into the ciystall)zation device lo facilitate
precipitation of the ions.
24. The desalination method of claim 23, wherein the seed particles
have an average diameter range from about 1 micron to about 500 microns, and
wherein the seed particles have a weigln raitge from about 0.1 weight percent (wt %)
to about 30 wt % of a weight of the second stream in the ciystailization /.one.
25. The desalination method of claim 24, wherein the seed particles
have an average diameter range from about 5 micron to about 100 microns, and
wherein the seed particles have a weight range from about 1.0 wi % to about 20 wt %
of a weight of the second stream in the ciystailization zone.
26. Hie desalination metltod of claim 23, wherein the seed particles
comprise CaS04 particles.
27. The desalination method of claim 23, furtlier comprising
suspending the seed particles in the crystallization zone,
28. The desalination method of claim 20, wherein the
crystallization zone is disposed within and in fluid communication with the
containment zone so that the solid-liquid separation zone is defined between the
vessel and the crystallization element.
29. Tlie desalination mettiod of claim 20, wherein the electrical
separation device comprises a supercapacitor desalination device or an eleclrodiaiysis
reversfj device, wherein the supercapacitor desalination device receives the first
stream in a charging state and receives the second stream in a discharging state, mid
wiierein the eleclrodiaiysis reversal device receives the first stream and the second
s Iream .simultaneously.
30. The desalination method of claim 20, wherein the
cjystallization device further comprises a confining element with at least a portion
thereof disposed in the crsstailization zone to define a confinement zone in fluid
conununication with the containment /one and tiie cr\'Sidii/.atJon /.one.