Abstract: There are provided apparatuses for increasing dryness of a substance. The apparatuses comprise at least one module, each of the module(s) comprising at least two electrodes adapted to submit the substance to an electric current. The electrodes are also adapted to compress the substance. There are also provided processes for increasing dryness of a substance.

Abstract: There is provided a process for at least partially deactivating microorganisms in a solid material. The process comprising submitting the solid material to an electric current having a voltage gradient of at least 3 volts per centimeter of solid material to be treated, and a current density of at least 2 mA per cm2 with respect to the surface of electrodes used for generating the current.

Abstract: A process allowing treatment of effluents. The process comprises the following steps: (a) providing a reactor comprising an inlet, an outlet, at least one block of electrodes comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode. The effluent to be treated is run between the electrodes in an upward direction; and (b) allowing the effluent to be treated to run between the electrodes of the at least one block in an upward direction so as to submit the effluent to an electrical current and thereby treating the effluent by electrocoagulation and/or electroflotation. There is thus produced a sludge containing at least one pollutant that is comprised in the effluent to be treated, and a treated effluent. The produced sludge is thereafter separated from the treated effluent. There is also provided an apparatus allowing implementation of this process. The process and the apparatus make it possible to efficiently treat effluents of various compositions and that may contain a wide range of contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating sludge comprising electrodes including at least one anode and at least one cathode. The electrodes define therebetween a space adapted to receive the sludge so as to submit the sludge disposed within the space to an electric current, thereby dehydrating the sludge and generating an effluent. The apparatus also comprises an inlet for receiving the sludge and an outlet for evacuating the treated sludge. The inlet and the outlet are in communication with the space. The apparatus also comprises compression means for compacting the sludge so as to permit a contact substantially constant between the electrodes and the sludge when the sludge is submitted to the electric current and rotated around a rotation axis. The invention also relates to a process for treating sludge. The invention is useful for treating various types of sludge in order to dehydrate and decontaminate the sludge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating sludge by the combined action of electro-osmosis and pressure. This process comprises providing a cell for treating the sludge, the cell comprising at least two electrodes including at least one cathode and at least one anode. At least one of the electrodes is movable, and at least one of the electrodes is perforated so as to drain effluents. Then, the sludge is introduced into the cell between the at least two electrodes, each of the electrodes defining a surface adapted to constantly contact the sludge. Then, the sludge is submitted to an electric current by applying a voltage to the electrodes, and applying a pressure to the sludge. by means of the at least one movable electrode so as to permit a constant contact between the surfaces and the sludge. An apparatus for carrying out such a process is also disclosed.