Up-Down Converter for Energy Recovery in a CDI Desalination System

• Published in: IEEE transactions on power electronics Vol. 27; no. 7; pp. 3257 - 3265
• Main Authors: Pernía, A. M., Norniella, J. G., Martín-Ramos, J. A., Díaz, J., Martínez, J. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.07.2012; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Applied sciences; Buck-boost converter; capacitive deionization (CDI); Carbon; carbon electrodes; Circuit properties; Conductivity; Control systems; Convertors; Desalination; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical machines; Electrodes; Electronic circuits; Electronic equipment and fabrication. Passive components, printed wiring boards, connectics; Electronics; Energy; Energy efficiency; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Ions; Power supply; Rational use of energy: conservation and recovery of energy; Signal convertors; Simulation; supercapacitor; Supercapacitors; Input output; Power converter; Up converter; Reuse; Carbon electrode; Power system stability; Energy recovery; Power supply; Power electronics; Electrolytic capacitor; carbon electrodes; Algorithm; Step down convertor; capacitive deionization (CDI); Frequency converter; Desalination; Voltage stability; Supercapacitor; System simulation; Voltage dip; Buck―boost converter; Electric fault; Recovery (properties)
• ISSN: 0885-8993; 1941-0107
• DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2011.2180926

One of the newest methods for desalinating water is capacitive deionization (CDI). This technology is based on carbon electrodes capable of adsorbing ionic components from water. The aim of this paper is to present the power electronic stage required in a water desalination system that permits recovery of part of the energy involved in the process and its reuse in a high efficient manner. First, the CDI process and the energy recovery are described. Second, a buck-boost converter is designed that allows energy to be recovered while taking into account the large voltage variations at its input and output. The converter is modeled using a mathematical algorithm to study its behavior with large input and output capacitor values. Simulation results are provided as well as experimental data agreeing with them.