Electrodeionization, also known as EDI, is an electrolytic process that removes ions from water. GE’s E-Cell MK-3 EDI system removes residual salts as well as ionizable aqueous species. These systems cover many applications including power generation, microelectronics, food and beverage production, and chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Environmental Benefits
GE E-Cell MK-3 EDI systems provide high-purity water to the power and microelectronics industries using less than half of the electricity used by previous GE EDI systems, an advance made possible by the removal of the recirculating pump and greater EDI stack efficiency. MK-3 systems and components (stacks) sold from 2Q07 through 2009 saved over 29,000 MWh of electricity compared to systems using GE's previous EDI technology, avoiding the emission of over 17,000 metric tons of CO2 on the U.S. power grid, equivalent to the CO2 emissions of over 3,400 cars on U.S. roads.
Operating Benefits
GE E-Cell MK-3 EDI systems require only a fraction of the acid and base used by mixed-bed purification systems.
Under typical conditions for the power industry, a 200 gpm MK-3 system is estimated to use 98% less cleaning chemicals than a mixed-bed system with equivalent output. This can reduce chemical consumption by almost 70,000 kg per year, saving approximately $57,000 based on 2009 chemical prices.
Under typical conditions for the microelectronics industry, a 700 gpm MK-3 system is estimated to use 95% less cleaning chemicals than a mixed-bed system with equivalent output. This can reduce chemical consumption by almost 100,000 kg per year, saving approximately $83,000 based on 2009 chemical prices.
