Study on influencing factors of capacitive deionization with Prussian blue analog/activated carbon electrode

Abstract

Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) is an efficient desalination technology using ion-selective membranes and capacitive principles to remove ions. Highly mineralized water flows through parallel electrode plates separated by ion-selective membranes. An applied electric field adsorbs ions onto electrodes, creating an electric double layer, and periodic field reversals release enriched ions back into the water while discharging ions on the electrode surfaces, enabling continuous deionization. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using MCDI technology with Prussian blue analog (PBA)/carbon electrodes to treat highly mineralized water in oilfields. The desalination rate under different operating conditions is experimentally analyzed and compared. A comparison is made between the Capacitive De-Ionization (CDI) systems in terms of changes in conductivity, desalination rate, ion adsorption capacity, and ion adsorption rate. Results showed that compared to conventional CDI and Hybird-CDI (HCDI), MCDI demonstrates the highest desalination rate, ion adsorption capacity, and ion adsorption rate. It indicates that MCDI has significant advantages in treating highly mineralized water. At a voltage of 1.6 V, a flow rate of 30 mL·min−1, and an initial concentration of 1000 mg·L−1, the MCDI system exhibited the highest desalination efficiency. Under these conditions, the desalination rate was 43.4%, the electrosorption capacity was 54.75 mg·g−1, and the electrosorption rate was 0.018 mg·g−1·s−1. The study provides a viable solution for the treatment of highly mineralized water in oilfields and serves as a reference for further improvement and application of MCDI technology.