(Reverse) electrodialysis

Electrodialysis can be used for separating salt from mixed wastewater (which contains both salts and organic pollutants). Two streams (a diluted stream, generally the water to be treated and a concentrated stream, where the salts end up) are contacted to each other in different flow channels, separated on one side by a cation exchange membrane (CEM) and on the other side by an anion exchange membrane (AEM). By using a direct current potential difference, cations move through the CEM to the cathode, whilst anions move to the anode, thus desalinating the water to be treated.

(reverse) electrodialysis flow through cell
(reverse) electrodialysis flow through cell