Increasing pollution of ecosystems is calling for sustainable methods to remove pollutants. In particular, electrodeionization has recently emerged as an efficient technique to remove ionic compounds from contaminated waters. Electrodeionization involves a continuous process of electrochemical water deionization using ion-specific membranes, mixed-bed resins and a direct current voltage. Electrodeionization is thus safer than classical treatments with acids, bases and other chemicals. Electrodeionization produces highly pure water, allows efficient ion removal and does not require chemicals for resin regeneration. Electrodeionization for water purification overcomes limitations of resin beds for ion exchange, particularly the release of ions as the beds exhaust. Applications include the removal of toxic chemicals, radioactive pollutants, heavy metal ions and corrosive anions; the regeneration of valuable metals; the deionization of water and the removal of nitrates. Continuous electrodeionization requires performance optimization and modification of the stack configuration. This article reviews principles and applications of ion removal, transport and reaction mechanisms, and factors controlling the efficiency.

生态系统污染日益严重，要求采用可持续的方法来去除污染物。特别地，最近电去离子化已成为一种从受污染的水中去除离子化合物的有效技术。电去离子涉及使用离子专用膜，混合床树脂和直流电压对电化学水进行去离子的连续过程。因此，电去离子比用酸，碱和其他化学物质进行的传统处理更为安全。电去离子产生高纯水，可有效去除离子，并且不需要化学物质即可再生树脂。用于水净化的电去离子技术克服了树脂床进行离子交换的局限性，尤其是随着床排气时离子的释放。应用包括去除有毒化学物质，放射性污染物，重金属离子和腐蚀性阴离子；贵重金属的再生；去离子水和去除硝酸盐。连续电去离子化需要性能优化和堆栈结构的修改。本文回顾了离子去除，传输和反应机理的原理和应用，以及控制效率的因素。