Developing 'Three Birds with One Stone' Technology: Generating Electricity with Seawater While Sterilizing and Neutralizing...

Published 31 Aug.2021 08:49(KST)

Professor Kim Youngsik's Team at UNIST

200L-Class Hybrid Sterilization Neutralization Device Utilizing Seawater Battery

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Domestic researchers have developed a technology that produces electricity from seawater while simultaneously sterilizing and neutralizing it.

The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) announced on the 31st that Professor Kim Young-sik's research team from the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering developed a seawater sterilization and neutralization technology using seawater batteries. This technology utilizes the generation of sterilizing substances during the charging and discharging process by using sodium ions in seawater.

When the seawater battery is charged, sodium ions (Na?) from the salt (NaCl) in seawater move and generate chlorine, which acts as a sterilizing agent to eliminate bacteria and pathogens. Conversely, during discharging, the sterilizing substances meet sodium ions and are neutralized, turning back into salt.

This technology features the ability to naturally sterilize and neutralize during the process of storing and releasing electricity in the battery. Although sterilization technology through electrolysis existed before, it required installing separate neutralization devices or using chemical agents for neutralization, which was inconvenient.

Professor Kim explained, "Seawater sterilization is an essential technology for disinfecting land-based aquaculture farms and treating ship ballast water," adding, "Using seawater batteries is more economical and environmentally friendly than existing technologies that require additional costs for installing neutralization facilities or administering chemical agents that pose risks of toxic byproducts."