Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2005TX198B

Carbon Aerogel Electrodes: Adsorption-Desorption and Regeneration Study for Purification of Water

Institute: Texas
Year Established: 2005 Start Date: 2005-03-01 End Date: 2006-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $15,688

Principal Investigators: Sanjay Tewari, Timothy Kramer

Abstract: This project will evaluate the performance of capacitive deionization technology (CDT) as a method to remove saline compounds from contaminated waters. CDT involves the separation of ions by passing saline waters between two oppositely charged electrodes. Anions are collected at the positively charged electrode while cations gather at the negatively charged electrode. CDT uses aerogels-which are made from carbon and have a highly porous structure to create a large surface area and provide improved treatment. This study will examine three specific aspects of the performance of CDT filtersa] the removal of metal ions and charged impurities; b] the adsorption and desorption processes that occur in the use of CDT, and c] the extent to which CDT electrodes can be regenerated. CDT is already being explored by TWRI and state water agencies as a technology that may be useful in treating oilfield- produced waters as well as saline ground and surface waters. The project will include close collaboration with the Texas A&M University Petroleum Engineering Department.