Abstract: A method and device provide for the deionization and contaminants removal or degradation of aqueous liquids, particularly drinking water. The water is caused to flow in a first direction and while flowing it is treated so as to simultaneously effect deionization via electromigration and degradation or removal of the contaminants therein on particle surfaces. The water flows upwardly through a bed formed by a mixture of conductive and non-conductive particles, such as sand and graphite particles, with the particles of the bed being separated from an anode (mounted on one side of the bed) by an anionic membrane, and a cathode (mounted on the other side of the bed) by a non-ionic porous membrane. According to the invention the following ions and contaminants can be destroyed, or removed from, the water: calcium, magnesium, and other water hardening ions; sodium, iron, bacteria; chlorine, phenol, odor and color contaminants; and pesticides.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for electrochemical processes, and a method of constructing an electrochemical cell utilizing the membrane assembly, are provided. A self-supporting thick block consisting essentially of membrane material has an electrode chamber formed therein extending the length of the height thereof. The membrane assembly block comprises a plurality of layers of material contacting each other and forming the membrane with the chamber extending through the layers, perpendicular to them. An electrode and electrolyte are disposed in the electrode chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane assembly and processes for the utilization of the membrane assembly, or membrane assemblies having like properties. The membrane assembly comprises intermixed layers of capillary material and high dielectric constant impermeable material, forming capillary channels parallel to the direction of ion transport through the membrane. The membrane is anion permeable, does not have membrane potential and will not foul even over extended operation, allows cross-flow of anions and cations, and is highly efficient. It is possible to remove complex metals from any contaminated acid by electrodialysis, such as removing vanadium and uranium in recoverable form from contaminated phosphoric acid, while producing food grade phosphoric acid in the process. Additionally, simple metals may be removed from mine waste liquids (from leaching), chlorine can be produced from a chloride containing salt, and chromium can be removed from chromium contaminated water by electrolysis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the dewatering of slimes and sludges. An anode and cathode are provided with the sludge disposed between the electrodes, and with a material for providing a continuation of the boundary layer of the sludge disposed in intimate contact with at least the cathode between the cathode and the sludge, the material allowing the passage of water therethrough, and the cathode being constructed to allow passage of water therethrough. The sludge to be treated is maintained between the electrodes during treatment, and structure is provided to ensure continuous contact between the electrodes and the sludge or the like during treatment even as the volume of the sludge decreases due to water removal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane assembly and processes for the utilization of the membrane assembly, or membrane assemblies having like properties. The membrane assembly comprises intermixed layers of capillary material and high dielectric constant impermeable material, forming capillary channels parallel to the direction of ion transport through the membrane. The membrane is anion permeable, does not have membrane potential and will not foul even over extended operation, allows cross-flow of anions and cations, and is highly efficient. It is possible to remove complex metals from any contaminated acid by electrodialysis, such as removing vanadium and uranium in recoverable form from contaminated phosphoric acid, while producing food grade phosphoric acid in the process. Additionally, simple metals may be removed from mine waste liquids (from leaching), chlorine can be produced from a chloride containing salt, and chromium can be removed from chromium contaminated water by electrolysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxidation and coagulation apparatus and method especially suitable for use with aquariums (especially salt-water aquariums). Water is withdrawn from the aquarium by a pump, and is fed into the oxidizer and coagulator. The oxidizer and coagulator includes a chamber into which the pump discharges water under pressure, a plurality of electrodes disposed in the chamber and connected up to a source of e.m.f. (AC), a plurality of electrically conductive particles (e.g., graphite) disposed in the chamber, a structure for violently continuously circulating the particles within the chamber so that they continuously impact all of the electrodes, and structure for preventing movement of the electrically conductive particles out of the chamber. An outlet is provided from the chamber and a filter is provided for separating particles and coagulants from the water after discharge from the chamber, and then returning the now-purified water to the aquarium.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for continuously agglomerating solids of colloidal size or larger suspended in a liquid is disclosed. The process comprises passing the liquid between spaced electrode plates in the presence of a fluidized bed of conductive particles, and subjecting said liquid suspension to an electric field from alternating current applied across said electrodes through the conductive particles of said bed. The turbulence of the particles in said bed has been found to improve conductivity and current efficiency, minimize electrode erosion, and by a mechanical, scrubbing action of the bed particles, minimize fouling or scaling of the electrodes so that the suspending forces of said solids are rapidly and efficiently broken. The agglomerated solids may then be separated from the liquid by conventional means such as skimming, settling, flotation and the like.

Abstract: A membrane assembly, useful as a membrane in electrodialytic and electrolytic cells, is made by holding together a plurality of thin layers of membrane material under pressure and with boundary layers of liquid covering their major surfaces. Such membrane assemblies allow the passage therethrough of ions when an electric potential difference is impressed across the membrane assembly but effectively bar the passage of water and gases. They also bar or limit ionic and salt mass transfer in the absence of such a potential difference (during non-use of the cell). They make excellent long lasting cell components, capable of being manufactured simply and economically from any of a variety of membrane materials to produce membranes of desired properties.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for reducing the level of contaminants in an aqueous electrolyte containing the contaminants comprising: suspending particles in the electrolyte in a reaction zone defined by a pair of electrodes to obtain a suspension containing from 1 to 40% by volume of the particles, establishing high turbulence sufficient to maintain the particles in a state of violent agitation, and passing an electric current between the electrodes to generate an electric field in the turbulent electrolyte in the reaction zone. Advantageously the turbulence of the electrolyte corresponds to a Reynolds number above about 3,000 and preferably is in the range of about 10,000 to 50,000. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Oxidizable contaminants in waters, such as feed waters and waste waters wherein they are present in relatively large or small proportions, are removed therefrom by alternating current electrolysis in an electrolytic cell containing catalyst-containing particles, the catalyst of which is an oxidation catalyst such as MnO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, or PbO.sub.2. The process and apparatus of the invention are especially useful for the removal of difficultly oxidizable impurities, such as phenol, from dilute aqueous solutions or dispersions. Included within the invention is the improved removal of such impurities by sequential treatments in accordance with the described processes.

Abstract: A porous layer is provided on one or both surfaces of a mass-transfer membrane to enhance or modify the passage of ions. The membrane may be a film of any of a variety of polymeric materials, and the porous layer may be a surface layer on the membrane or a separate porous structure placed in contact therewith. The porous layer or layers render certain normally ion-impermeable polymeric films capable of passing ions in an electrodialysis-type system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for continuously agglomerating solids of colloidal size of larger suspended in a liquid is disclosed. The process comprises passing the liquid between spaced electrode plates in the presence of a fluidized bed of conductive particles, and subjecting said liquid suspension to an electric field from alternating current applied across said electrodes through the conductive particles of said bed. The turbulence of the particles in said bed has been found to improve conductivity and current efficiency, minimize electrode erosion, and by a mechanical, scrubbing action of the bed particles, minimize fouling or scaling of the electrodes so that the suspending forces of said solids are rapidly and efficiently broken. The agglomerated solids may then be separated from the liquid by conventional means such as skimming, settling, flotation and the like.

Abstract: A vessel is described for facilitating the removal of difficultly oxidizable impurities such as phenol and/or polychlorinated biphenyl from dilute aqueous solutions or dispersions. The vessel contains stacked, packed beds having characteristics of alternating high and low electrical conductivity with separately controlled pairs of electrodes for the two alternate types of beds. An aqueous solution containing contaminants is admitted to the vessel and passed through the successive beds wherein the solution or dispersion is subjected to an alternating current field for decomposition of the contaminants in the high resistivity beds and oxidization thereof in the lower resistivity beds by hydrogen peroxide produced by alternating current electrolysis of water. The preferred electrodes are hollow and water cooled. In addition, the bed is jacketed and cooling water is circulated through the jacket to maintain a more efficient, lower process temperature.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for continuously agglomerating solids of colloidal size or larger suspended in a liquid is disclosed. The process comprises passing the liquid between spaced electrode plates in the presence of a fluidized bed of conductive particles, and subjecting said liquid suspension to an electric field from alternating current applied across said electrodes through the conductive particles of said bed. The turbulence of the particles in said bed has been found to improve conductivity and current efficiency, minimize electrode erosion, and by a mechanical, scrubbing action of the bed particles, minimize fouling or scaling of the electrodes so that the suspending forces of said solids are rapidly and efficiently broken. The agglomerated solids may then be separated from the liquid by conventional means such as skimming, settling, flotation and the like.

Abstract: A sorbent particulate material, such as a metal hydroxide-coated sawdust, is made by passing a direct electric current between an anode of a metal capable of forming a flocculent hydroxide and a cathode in a turbulent electrolyte containing the dispersed particulate material, so as to form a metal hydroxide and deposit it on such material. Also described are filters made from the sorbent particulate material and processes of filtering or otherwise removing undesired components from liquid media by means of such product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrochemically removing silver in the form of AgO from a photographic fixer solution containing silver ions without destroying the utility of the solution comprising the steps of applying alternating current having a frequency of between about 0.5 Hz and 800 Hz and a current density of between about 0.1 and 20 amperes per square inch across electrodes immersed in said solution to cause AgO to precipitate at the electrodes. The method can also be practiced above the range of about 20 amperes per square inch at the cost of destroying the utility of the solution. The method can also be used to remove silver in the form of AgO from other solutions.

Abstract: A method of electrolytically removing silver from a photographic fixer solution comprising the steps of placing the photographic fixer solution in a cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, with said chamber being separated by a diaphragm having a pore size of between about 1.0 microns to 500 microns and applying a direct current across the anode and cathode to create a current density of between about 0.001 and 5 amperes per square inch at the cathode to thereby cause argentic oxide to precipitate at the cathode and an equivalent amount of elemental sulfur to precipitate at the anode. The cell is preferably maintained at a temperature of between about 20.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. The cell can be operated as a flow cell by maintaining a hydraulic head between the chambers to determine the flow across the diaphragm. When the cell is operated as a flow cell, a minimum specific amount of photographic fixer must be conveyed to the cell to prevent oxidation of sulfur and escape of SO.sub.2 gas.