Simultaneous saltwater desalination and power generation using an aluminum-powered cell

In this study, an air-cathode-aluminum-air desalination battery as a new technology for simultaneous desalination and electrical power generation was developed through the optimization of its operating parameters. Nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon was synthesized and characterized as a cheap and efficient catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in the cathode. By optimizing the aluminum anode parameters, utilizing the fabricated air cathode and modifying the operational conditions, the salt removal and average generated energy reached 2.06 g/L (in 90 min) and 0.55 Wh/L of the processed water, respectively, consuming 0.26 g of aluminum per hour. Moreover, using cost analysis this technology was found competitive with other desalination systems for high salinity water, consuming 2.05 Wh for 1 g salt removal with initial salinity of 12 g/L. Overall, this assembly is a low cost and environmentally friendly process, and with advantages such as continuous desalination and reasonable desalination rate, seems to be a promising candidate for desalination purposes.

Automated summary

By optimizing operating parameters, a new technology - air-cathode-aluminum-air desalination battery - was developed for simultaneous desalination and power generation. Using nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon as an efficient catalyst, salt removal and energy generation were significantly improved through optimization of cathode and anode parameters, as well as operational conditions. Cost analysis showed the competitive advantage of this technology in high salinity water desalination.