Use of Electrodeionization in Small Scale Desalination

Currently reverse osmosis dominates desalination because of low cost, reliability, and choices in the market place.  However, there are many new deslatination opporunities, especially in brackish water application, where the size and scale make it possible to consider other technology.  One of these technologies is electrodeionization.  Electrodeionization is a technique in which we use wafers to remove ions to low concentration through an electricially driven process.  Because the cost is related to the amount of ions being moved this technology can be cost competitive at low to medium ion concentration and low to medium scale.  The purpose of this presentation is to explore places where electrodeionization can be economically feasible and show the fundamental scientific challenges with the technology.