Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging a cake of suspended solids formed on an electrode structure, the electrode structure comprising an electrode, a membrane wall, an electrolyte chamber formed by the membrane wall, and means for increasing the pressure inside the electrolyte chamber so that the membrane wall expands, whereby the cake of solids of suspension are discharged therefrom. The means for increasing the pressure inside the electrolyte chamber are injecting gas into the electrolyte chamber, injecting liquid into the electrolyte chamber, and/or reducing the vacuum means applied internally to the electrolyte chamber.

Abstract: A membrane for dewatering a suspension of solids in a carrier liquid by means of either an electrically augmented vacuum filter (EAVF) or an electrically augmented crossflow device. The EAVF and crossflow devices both include an anodic structure comprising an anode, anolyte and a filter membrane for depositing or concentrating solids from the suspension of solids; and a cathodic structure comprising a cathode, catholyte, a catholyte chamber, and a filtrate chamber for filtering the filtrate of the bath of the suspension of solids. The catholyte chamber having a membrane wall which is liquid impervious and either an anion exchange membrane or a non ion selective membrane. Filtrate being removed at the filtrate chamber.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in dewatering a suspension of solids in which an electric field augments an applied vacuum includes a chamber having walls comprising an ion exchange membrane on which a cake of solids is deposited and an electrode element with the chamber immersed in an electrolyte.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for dewatering a suspension of solids in a carrier liquid by means of an electrically augmented vacuum filter (EAVF). The EAVF including an anodic structure comprising an anode, anolyte and a filter membrane for depositing solids from the suspension of solids thereon; and a cathodic structure comprising a cathode, catholyte, a catholyte chamber and a filtrate chamber for filtering the filtrate of the bath of the suspension of solids. The catholyte chamber having a membrane wall which is liquid impervious and either an anion exchange membrane or a non ion selective membrane. Filtrate being removed at the filtrate chamber.

Abstract: An electrically augmented crossflow filter device in which a feed stream containing solid particulate matter is flowed between opposed walls while a pressure differential is imposed across a first of said walls comprising a filter medium to produce a flow of filtrate therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the feed stream. At the same time, an electric field is imposed on the feed stream in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the feed stream, causing the solid particulate matter in the feed stream to tend to move toward the second of said walls which comprises an ion-pervious member. Cake formation on the latter ion-pervious wall is limited or precluded by the velocity of the feed stream while the feed stream thickens in passing between the walls to form the product stream. The electrode which is located behind the second, or ion-pervious, wall is immersed during operation in a protective stream of a selected electrolyte.

Abstract: A system and method for dewatering or separating particles from a liquid or a colloidal suspension which comprises the use of an electrofilter with separated, submerged electrodes wherein the electrode used for collecting the solid particles comprises an assembly of an ion-selective membrane shell, coated with or having bonded on its interior, a conductive metal composite catalyst layer, and a conductive structural material core such as graphite within the shell. The electrode assembly does not require the use of an electrolytic solution within the shell, but may be operated with one. A direct current is applied to the electrofilter so that the particles in the suspension will migrate towards the electrode assembly and form a caked deposit or slurry layer on the outside of the membrane. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly can be removed from the electrofilter cell so that the dewatered or separated solids may be removed from the outside surfaces of the membrane.

Abstract: A strong, relatively inert filter cloth is impregnated with an ion exchange resin to provide, for an electrofiltration process, a reinforced solid polymeric electrolyte having ion transport properties and at the same time constituting a positive barrier to mass transport.

Abstract: An electrically augmented vacuum filtration apparatus and process wherein a suspension of solids is dewatered in a bath located between electrodes of opposite polarity with intermediate biodes (a biode being in a sense a combined anode and cathode structure) positioned in the bath between the electrodes.

Abstract: A strong, relatively inert filter cloth is impregnated with an ion exchange resin to provide, for an electrofiltration process, a reinforced solid polymeric electrolyte having ion transport properties and at the same time constituting a positive barrier to mass transport.

Abstract: An electro-ultrafiltration process is conducted in a tank in which the cathode and anode regions are separated by an anisotropic ultrafiltration membrane. A pressure differential is applied across the membrane and the fluid component of the bath moves through the membrane under the influence of this pressure for removal from the tank. Current applied between the electrodes develops an additional flow of the fluid component of the bath through the membrane. Due to the special characteristics of the anisotropic membrane, the total flux through the membrane under these conditions greatly exceeds the flux attributable to the individual effects of pressure and current. This process is especially useful when applied in electrophoretic coating systems, for it can establish a stable bath composition and it also tends to maintain the membrane in an essentially unfouled condition.