bipolar membranes with fluid distribution passages.

摘要

The invention provides a bipolar membrane and methods for manufacturing and using the membrane. The bipolar membrane comprises a cation selective region, an anion selective region, an interfacial region between the anion selective region and the cation selective region and means for delivering fluid directly into the interfacial region. Means for supplying the fluid include conduits that may comprise a fluid permeable material, an absorbent material, an open conduit disposed within the membrane or some combination thereof. The conduits may be arranged in different shapes, sizes and configurations, but preferably they supply the fluid directly to the interfacial region so that the electrodialysis rate is not limited by diffusion of the fluid through the regions selective to cations or anions. in the direction of the interfacial region.