A brief review on the recent achievements in flow-electrode capacitive deionization

Abstract

The recent studies, achievements and advances in Flow-Electrode Capacitive Deionization (FCDI), known as a relatively new desalination method, are briefly reviewed. First, the geometry and configuration of membranes and electrodes, and their effects on the performance of FCDI are studied. The effect of feeding procedure of slurries on the operation of FCDI is then reviewed. The mode of applying the electric field to the system as another factor influencing the FCDI performance is also discussed. The effect of slurries and the membrane properties on desalination is another subject which is reviewed. Along with all the above mentioned investigations, it is attempted to introduce the new patents related to FCDI and to show an outlook for such a desalination process. It is finally concluded that, despite some shortcomings, due to the high number of studies dedicated to the FCDI and according to recent advancements in this field, not only can FCDI become a mature and applicable desalination process in the future but also play an important role in the other engineering fields.