Abstract: This invention describes a one step process for the removal of heavy metals, particularly arsenic, from water. The process consists in promoting the circulation of the water to be treated in an electrolytic cell equipped with iron, or iron alloy anodes and cathodes made of iron or iron alloy or other metals, while the contemporary insufflation into the cell of a gas, partially or totally composed of oxygen. In this way the iron of the anode electrodes dissolves as iron hydroxide. The ferrous hydroxide thus generated, under the action of the oxygen contained in the insufflated gas is converted to ferric hydroxide, which, through a complex mechanism, adsorbs and forms insoluble complexes with the arsenic ions. At the same time As(III) is subject to oxidation both at the anode and at the cathode. By this process both forms of arsenic, As(III) and As(V), are equally removed. The treated water is further processed by conventional clarifying and filtering.

Abstract: The present invention describes four preferred embodiments of an apparatus aimed to the production of a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite. It uses the process of the electrolysis of a dilute solution of sodium chloride in water by means of two metallic electrodes immersed in the solution. The electricity needed may be delivered by a range of sources like disposable cells (alkaline), rechargeable batteries, photovoltaic modules (PVM) or electromechanical generators, like alternators or dynamos, moved by human power. All the apparatus described operate in batch mode. They are small lightweight portable units, easily transportable anywhere, in remote areas or emergency situations where chemicals or electricity is not available. Main use is the purification of drinking water, but also the production of sterilizing solutions for wound disinfection, washing etc.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus for the production on site of a solution of sodium hypochlorite. It is based on the electrolysis of a dilute solution of sodium chloride and operates in flow through mode. Its main use is the potabilization of drinking water. Other uses include the production of sterilizing solutions for washing, wound disinfection, etc. It can be powered by a solar photovoltaic module (PVM), and it is portable in order to be easily transported in remote areas or emergency situations where chemicals or electricity are not available. The flow through operation is based on a gas lifting mechanism, the gas being hydrogen generated during the electrolysis of the sodium chloride solution. Therefore no moving parts are employed for pumping the solution through the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: This invention describes a process and apparatus for the removal of heavy metals, particularly arsenic, from water. The process consists in promoting the circulation of the water to be treated in an electrolytic cell equipped with iron, or iron alloy, electrodes, while the contemporary insufflation into the cell of a gas, partially or totally composed of oxygen. In this way the iron of the anode electrodes dissolves as iron hydroxide. The ferrous hydroxide thus generated, under the action of the oxygen contained in the insufflated gas, is converted to ferric hydroxide, which, through a complex mechanism, adsorbs and forms insoluble complexes with the arsenic ions. By this process both forms of arsenic, As(lll) and As(V), are equally removed. The treated water is further processed by conventional clarifying and filtering processes.