Reverse electrodialysis plant

Matrix context

D = disequilibrium row · C = coupling family column. A cell reads the state of the atlas for that pair.

D.04 × C.22 · Salinity gradient × Osmotic / salinity-gradientfamily: Osmotic / salinity-gradient

Typed bounds on this route

Every limit the atlas holds for this route, as constraint records: reached through bounded_by claims on the route's own entities. Hard bounds (an upper bound or a formula) decide the thermodynamic-bound check above; benchmarks, constitutive relations and resource limits are listed and never decisive. No prose limit exists anywhere (pass 42).

• Free energy of mixing · resource-bound · listed, never decisive
  W ≤ −ΔG_mix ≈ 0.8 kWh per m³ of fresh water into seawater

Steps

1. 01
   Salinity gradient —drives→ Reverse electrodialysisestablishedclaim record

   chemical → electrical · loss to thermal

   • alternating cation- and anion-exchange membranes with sea and river water in alternate compartments

   aqueous medium required · selective membrane required · liquid

   refs [1] [2] [3]
2. 02
   Reverse electrodialysis —produces→ Ionic currentestablishedclaim record

   electrical → electrical · loss to thermal

   refs [2] [3]
3. 03
   Ionic current —converts into→ Electrical workestablishedclaim record

   electrical → electrical · loss to thermal

   • electrodes exchange the ionic current for an electronic current through the external load

   refs [4]

Evidence for the complete composition · 2

1. [2]
   J. W. Post, et al.. Salinity-gradient power: Evaluation of pressure-retarded osmosis and reverse electrodialysis (2007)

   Journal of Membrane Science 288, 218–230 · doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2006.11.018 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
2. [3]
   B. E. Logan, M. Elimelech. Membrane-based processes for sustainable power generation using water (2012)

   Nature 488, 313–319 · doi:10.1038/nature11477 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record

Evidence for the constituent relations · 4

1. [1]
   R. E. Pattle. Production of electric power by mixing fresh and salt water in the hydroelectric pile (1954)

   Nature 174, 660 · doi:10.1038/174660a0 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
2. [2]
   J. W. Post, et al.. Salinity-gradient power: Evaluation of pressure-retarded osmosis and reverse electrodialysis (2007)

   Journal of Membrane Science 288, 218–230 · doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2006.11.018 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
3. [3]
   B. E. Logan, M. Elimelech. Membrane-based processes for sustainable power generation using water (2012)

   Nature 488, 313–319 · doi:10.1038/nature11477 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
4. [4]
   A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner. Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications (2nd ed.) (2001)

   Wiley · book, no DOI · record