(Invited) Reverse Electrodialysis for Unique Devices

Abstract

Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is emerging as one of the promising process for generating electrical power from renewable energy sources. Production of electrical power was demonstrated by mixing the fresh and salt water which are inexhaustible resources at the mouth of river for the first time in early 1950s. This idea had not been receiving keen attention, however, before we seriously faced the depletion crisis of natural power resources. Recently, a couple of European countries, including Netherland, Sweden, and Italy, have been interested in the study and development of salinity gradient power-based electricity production systems. For instance, Wetsus center in Netherland built up experimentally and theoretically optimized RED systems to obtain maximum electrical power for sustainable water technology with given materials and mechanical engineering resources. They are developing the pilot RED plant capable of 200 MW electricity production and ultimately planning to supply local public/private housing. Meanwhile, some scientists paid attention to unique applications based on eco-friendly RED systems. As an application, Logan group at Pennsylvania State University showed significantly increased electricity production with simultaneous purification of waste water using the hybrid system of RED and microbial cell. They also reported the hydrogen production strategy by generating electricity in the same combinations. In this talk, a few unique applications based on RED system as a new electrical power source are introduced and discussed.