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Ionic liquid enables highly efficient low temperature desalination by directional solvent extraction

Author

Listed:
  • Jiaji Guo

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Zachary D. Tucker

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Yu Wang

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Brandon L. Ashfeld

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Tengfei Luo

    (University of Notre Dame
    University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

Seawater desalination plays a critical role in addressing the global water shortage challenge. Directional Solvent Extraction (DSE) is an emerging non-membrane desalination technology that features the ability to utilize very low temperature waste heat (as low as 40 °C). This is enabled by the subtly balanced solubility properties of directional solvents, which do not dissolve in water but can dissolve water and reject salt ions. However, the low water yield of the state-of-the-art directional solvent (decanoic acid) significantly limits its throughput and energy efficiency. In this paper, we demonstrate that by using ionic liquid as a new directional solvent, saline water can be desalinated with much higher production rate and thus significantly lower the energy and exergy consumptions. The ionic liquid identified suitable for DSE is [emim][Tf2N], which has a much (~10×) higher water yield than the currently used decanoic acid. Using molecular dynamics simulations with Gibbs free energy calculations, we reveal that water dissolving in [emim][Tf2N] is energetically favorable, but it takes significant energy for [emim][Tf2N] ions to dissolve in water. Our findings may significantly advance the DSE technology as a solution to the challenges in the global water-energy nexus.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaji Guo & Zachary D. Tucker & Yu Wang & Brandon L. Ashfeld & Tengfei Luo, 2021. "Ionic liquid enables highly efficient low temperature desalination by directional solvent extraction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20706-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20706-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Kuanfu Chen & Yujie Tao & Weiwei Shi, 2022. "Recent Advances in Water Harvesting: A Review of Materials, Devices and Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-25, May.
    2. Wang, Yayu & Xiao, Yang & Puig-Bargués, Jaume & Zhou, Bo & Liu, Zeyuan & Muhammad, Tahir & Liang, Hongbang & Maitusong, Memetmin & Wang, Zhenhua & Li, Yunkai, 2023. "Assessment of water quality ions in brackish water on drip irrigation system performance applied in saline areas," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    3. Wang, Yayu & Muhammad, Tahir & Liu, Zeyuan & Ma, Changjian & Zhang, Changsheng & Wang, Zhenhua & He, Xin & Li, Yunkai, 2022. "Compounding with humic acid improved nutrient uniformity in drip fertigation system using brackish water: The perspective of emitter clogging," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    4. Zhang, Hao & Lai, Yanhua & Yang, Xiao & Li, Chang & Dong, Yong, 2022. "Non-evaporative solvent extraction technology applied to water and heat recovery from low-temperature flue gas: Parametric analysis and feasibility evaluation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PB).

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