CAPACITIVE DEIONIZATION (CDI)

A relatively simple and straight forward electrochemical reaction process made unique and highly efficient through the development of a highly-porous material called carbon aerogel that absorbs huge volumes of ions. A single cube of carbon aerogel, one inch on a side, has an effective surface area of more than 20 million square inches. This unusually high surface area makes it possible to adsorb large numbers of ions. Water containing salt, heavy metals, or even radioactive isotopes is pumped through a series of electrochemical cells made from the aerogel, a material sometimes called "frozen smoke." Effluent water from the series of stacked cells is subsequently purified. The trapped ions can be released into a relatively small stream of "rinse" water typically comprising less than one percent of the total volume of produce water. Also see Deionization.