Abstract: An electrolytic device, e.g. a suppressor, including at least two flow-through channels separated by a charged membrane barrier, and a catalyst, for combining hydrogen and oxygen gas, together with ion exchange material, disposed in one of the channels. Also, a method for simultaneous electrolysis and catalytic gas elimination in a channel of the device is described.

Abstract: Methods of treating a fluid mixture include performing a first treatment on the mixture with electrochemically produced ions to separate an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase and performing a second electrochemical treatment on the separated aqueous phase to thereby remove aqueous contaminants from the aqueous phase wherein substantially laminar flow of fluid occurs between electrodes in the second electrochemical treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are a water treatment apparatus using underwater plasma discharge and a water treatment system using the same. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet through which raw water flows in and an outlet through which purified water flows out, a ground electrode provided at a first side of the reactor, and a plasma electrode module provided at a second side of the reactor and configured to generate plasma. With plasma generated through underwater discharge, it is possible to decompose or remove organic substances and microorganisms present in raw water.

Abstract: There is disclosed a treatment process of wastes containing organic molecules with electron-withdrawing groups on conjugated unsaturated bonds, for instance belonging to aromatic rings. The process comprises an electrochemical reduction step and a simultaneous or subsequent oxidation step, optionally also of electrochemical nature.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from a quantity of contaminated liquid in a treatment reservoir (2,28) containing a carbon based adsorbent material capable of electrochemical regeneration. The adsorbent material is in the form of a bed supported on a plate (6) at the base of the reservoir. The bed is agitated for a period to distribute the adsorbent material in the liquid and adsorb contaminant therefrom. At the end of the period the agitation ceases, and the bed of adsorbent material is allowed to settle. The adsorbent is then regenerated, during or after settlement, by passing an electric current through the bed to release from the adsorbent gaseous products derived from the contaminant, in bubbles rising through the decontaminated liquid in the reservoir. Various methods of regenerating the adsorbent material are disclosed, as are apparatus in which the method can be applied.

Abstract: An anode device for an electro-f locculation cell, is provided comprising a bed of metal granules (1c) through which raw water is flown from the bottom to the top, is loosely provided in a cell box (3) out of insulating material on an electrically conducting electrode (1) plate provided with insulating material nozzles (Da1-Dc1) and serving as current feeding means to the metal granules (1c), further comprising non-conducting, hydraulic tube connections (6a-6c) which are provided from the insulating material nozzles (Da1-Dc1) to outlet sockets of the tubular manifold (7) for raw water, and at least two gas injectors (9) for the supply of driving a gas which are protruding into the tubular manifold (7) and are connected to a gas supply device (8), wherein fluid connections for the driving gas and the raw water are provided from the outlet sockets (7a1-7c1) of the tubular manifold (7) through to the non-conducting tube connections and the insulating material nozzles to the metal granules (Ic) provided within th

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an advanced treatment system processing contaminated water or fouled water/waste water, and particularly, a system for membrane fouling control and reduction in the amount of sludge producing in a membrane combined-type fouled water/waste water advanced treatment system, and more particularly, a system capable of making sludge soluble using plasma and then re-utilizing cell byproducts of destructed sludge as a supply source of external carbon source, and possibly capable of removing a cake layer formed on a membrane using each kind of radical and ozone generated by plasma.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for electrochemical modification of liquid streams using at least one anode and cathode assemblies arranged to contain liquid electrolytes anolyte and catholyte, a plurality of electrically conducting anode and cathode particulates forming anode and cathode particulate beds, and current feeder and current collector devices in contact with the particulate bed, where the anode particulates and cathode particulates are in motion substantially independent of bulk electrolytes flow.

Abstract: A method and system for removing contaminants from a fluid are provided. The method can generally include providing microstructures in the fluid. At least some of the contaminants in the fluid are attracted to the microstructures and adhered to the microstructures. With the contaminants attached to the microstructures, the microstructures can be separated from the fluid so that the contaminants are thereby removed from the fluid.

Abstract: Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The water is then continuously oxidized with chlorine electrolytically to destroy the nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical modification of liquid streams employing an electrolytic cell which utilizes an oxidation site defined by an anode, an anode compartment comprising liquid electrolyte anolyte where oxidation is effected, a cathode compartment comprising liquid electrolyte catholyte where reduction is effected, a cathode comprising conducting cathode particulates forming a cathode particulates bed and a current feeder device in at least intermittent contact with said cathode particulates where the cathode particulates are in motion and the particulates motion is substantially independent of bulk electrolyte flow, a separator which confines the cathode particulates to the cathode compartment, constrains electrolyte flow through the cathode particulates bed and permits ionic conduction of current between the anode and cathode, a cathode particulates conveyance system that manipulates cathode particulates motion.

Abstract: Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The solids are floated by sparging and then the floating solids are swept from the surface of the water into an exit port using a conveyor from which downwardly depending flaps skim or near the surface, thus sweeping the floating floc into the exit port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions. The invention also relates to a system for purifying water, having an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes sufficient to electrolytically convert halide ion in the water into molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, or hypohalite ions, or combinations thereof; and a metal generator, which provides concentrations of one or more metals to the water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for purifying fluids comprising at least one electrochemical cell having a cathode (3), an anode (5) and an electrolyte (7), said cathode (3) comprising a metal complex, ML, where M represents a metal and L represents an organic or inorganic ligand, said complex being capable of forming the hydroxyl radical by a reaction wherein the metal in the complex is oxidised and acquires an additional positive charge, said anode (5) creating positive ions and electrons, said electrolyte (7) allowing the transfer of a positive charges, said cathode being arranged such that the fluid to be purified can come into contact with the metal complex on the cathode. The invention also provides a related electrode and a related electrochemical cell as well as a corresponding method for purifying fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for recovering metals from aqueous solutions by passing an aqueous solution, which contains dissolved metals, into a space between two elongated electrodes of a treatment chamber. A very high voltage electric field is created in the treatment chamber and is accompanied by a very small trickle current charge to enhance adsorption, polarization, ion exchange or to otherwise agglomerate the dissolved metal, which is then recovered by filtering, adsorbing, exchanging or otherwise separating the metal from the water.

Abstract: An electrochemical process, for removing or modifying ions in solution, incorporates an electrolytic cell comprising a bipolar bed of conductive and non-conductive cell particulate material spaced between two electrodes across which an electrical voltage is applied causing the removal or modification of the ions. A certain minimum of non-conductive particulates in the bed is required to prevent the bed from shunting. The solution contains anions or cations or both, which are to be destroyed, transformed to other species, plated onto the electrode or otherwise modified. The bed acts as a bipolar electrode because it contains both positively and negatively charged sites so that the cations migrate to the negatively charged sites and the anions to the positively charged sites to undergo electrochemical reactions. The electric current in the cell can flow in either direction to achieve the same result so an alternating current is as effective as a direct current.

Abstract: A method for separating metal ions absorbed on a resin includes: suspending or percolating a cationic exchange resin charged with a polar solvent containing an eluting agent or a mixture of eluting agents containing at least an organic or mineral ligand complexing the metal ions to be separated; circulating a direct electric current, whether constant or not, in the charged eluting solution forming an electrolyte so as to recuperate at least a metal by deposition; and finally optionally repeating the last step by setting up one or several cathode(s) made of another metal and by re-adjusting the cathode potential and the anode/cathode potential difference to new values, depending on the new type of metal to be recuperated. An installation for treating/recycling photographic bath waste includes an exchanger connected to a tank for waste bath to be treated, to a treated waste bath tank, to a regenerating solution tank and to an electrolysis vessel.

Abstract: Electrodeionization apparatus and method. The electrodeionization apparatus includes an ion-depleting compartment in which alternating layers of an electroactive media are positioned. One of the alternating layers is doped to provide a more balanced current distribution through the apparatus. The method involves reducing the difference in conductivity between the alternating layers positioned in the ion-depleting compartment by adding a dopant material to one of the layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying aqueous effluent streams to reduce chemical oxygen demand thereof, where the method comprises direct oxidation of water-soluble organic material in an electrochemical cell that incorporates stainless steel electrodes, whose stability and lifetime are enhanced by inclusion of circulating metal chips.

Abstract: A wet oxidation/reduction electrolytic cell, system, and method for the remediation of contaminated water is disclosed. A porous electrode of large surface area produces powerful oxidizing agents in situ without having to add any reagents, oxidizers, or catalysts to the water to be treated. Further, by the appropriate selection of electrode material, organic contaminants may be absorbed onto the surface of the electrode and subsequently oxidized to provide a dynamically renewable porous electrode surface. Flow rates, and power requirements may be tailored to the specific moieties to be removed, thus allowing local treatment of specific waste streams resulting in direct discharge to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) or surface water discharge. A novel feature of this invention is the ability to remove both organic and metal contaminants without the addition of treatment reagents or catalysts.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of supplying dissolved carbon dioxide to plants in an aqueous medium characterized by electrolyzing the water in the aqueous medium by electrodes disposed in the aqueous medium and supplied with electric current. At least one of the electrodes is a carbon electrode which acts as a positive electrode. The current density is supplied to the electrodes at or below the level at which no, or substantially no, gaseous oxygen is formed at the positive carbon electrode.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus using a plasma reactor and a method of water treatment are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a polluted water inlet and a polluted water outlet; a plurality of beads filled into the interior of the housing; a pair of electrodes, one of the electrodes contacting with the bottom of the housing, another of the electrodes contacting an upper portion of the uppermost beads; and a pulse generator connected with the electrodes by a power cable for generating pulses.

Abstract: One or more water treating devices each includes a housing for receiving a number of electric conductive particles and a filter plate secured in the housing for supporting the particles in the housing. The waste water to be treated is introduced into the housing and flows through the particles when the particles are electrified for allowing the particles to treat the water. The particles, after use, may be discharged from the housing so as to be cleaned. The water treating devices may be arranged in series or in parallel or in both series and parallel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method consisting: in passing the sea water through an electrically conductive catalyst (10), arranged in the cathode section of an electrolytic cell (1), comprising a cathode section (3) and an anode section (4) provided with, the former, with at least one cathode (11a, . . . ) and, the latter, with at least one anode (18) and separated by a wall (2) permeable only to the cations and in circulating, in the anode section (4), a conductive aqueous solution of a particular anolyte; in providing an electric voltage between the cathode and the anode of the cell (1) while maintaining the contents of the cathode and the anode sections at specific potentials, so as to produce, in the cathode section, consumption of oxygen dissolved in the treated water and in decomposing, in the anode section, an appropriate amount of solution for ensuring the electroneutrality of the treated water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating highly concentrated wastewater by electrolysis and oxidization, said method being characterized in that the electrolysis and oxidization are carried out in a fluidized bed of a suitable particulate carrier. The electrolytic reduction efficiency of ferric ions is improved by the fluidized particulate carrier, and thus a high proportion of iron(III) to iron(II) can be sustained in the system. This invention allows extensive purification of wastewater with improved efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbon contaminants and heavy metal ion contaminants from wastewater stream comprising the introduction of iron ions into the stream. In one embodiment, the ions are introduced by applying an electrical current through a bed of iron particulates in the form of steel wool and iron nodules. In another embodiment, the iron salts are added to the waste stream and the iron ions are reduced to a more reactive lower valence state by electric current.

Abstract: An electrically regeneratable electrochemical cell (30) for capacitive deionization and electrochemical purification and regeneration of electrodes includes two end plates (31, 32), one at each end of the cell (30). Two end electrodes (35, 36) are arranged one at each end of the cell (30), adjacent to the end plates (31, 32). An insulator layer (33) is interposed between each end plate (31, 32) and the adjacent end electrode (35, 36). Each end electrode (35, 36) includes a single sheet (44) of conductive material having a high specific surface area and sorption capacity. In one embodiment, the sheet (44) of conductive material is formed of carbon aerogel composite. The cell (30) further includes a plurality of generally identical double-sided intermediate electrodes (37-43) that are equidistally separated from each other, between the two end electrodes (35, 36).

Abstract: A method for treating water with an electrolytic cell including an anode, a cathode, and a three-dimensional carbon electrode provided between the anode and the cathode, the method comprising the steps of supplying the water having an electric resistivity of not less than 10 M.OMEGA..multidot.cm into the electrolytic cell; applying an electric current to the anode and the cathode so as to polarize the electrodes for sterilizing the water, wherein a first distance between the electrode and the anode and a second distance between the electrode and the cathode are not more than 1.0 mm.

Abstract: Improvements on the electrolytic reactor and process of U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,816 and copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/400,950, filed Mar. 9, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,742, are disclosed for the controlled oxidation and reduction of inorganic and organic species in dilute aqueous solutions. More specifically, other physical forms and additives for the modified ion exchange material can be used in the packed bed electrolytic reactor, including powdered ion exchange materials and solid membranes containing the modified ion exchange materials. Direct contact with only one electrode, the anode for oxidation, and the cathode for reduction, is required for the modified ion exchange resin, instead of with both electrodes. Superior performance is also demonstrated for bipolar operation of the electrolytic reactor in comparison to monopolar operation. Preferably, the polarity of the electrodes is reversed every 1 to 60 minutes.

Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus is disclosed for oxidizing or reducing inorganic and organic species, especially in dilute aqueous solutions. The electrolytic reactor includes an anode and cathode in contact with a packed bed of particulate ion exchange material which establishes an infinite number of transfer sites in the electrolyte to significantly increase the mobility of the ionic species to be oxidized or reduced toward the anode or cathode, respectively. The ion exchange material is cationic for oxidation and anionic for reduction, or a combination of both for special circumstances. Preferably, the ion exchange material is treated to convert a portion of the transfer sites to semiconductor junctions which act as mini anodes, or cathodes, to significantly increase the capacity of the reactor to oxidize or reduce the species to be treated. Exemplary applications for the disclosed electrolytic process and apparatus are the conversion of halides to halous acids in dilute solutions.

Abstract: In an electrodeionization apparatus having a cathode compartment and an anode compartment for removing ions from a liquid under the influence of a voltage, the cathode compartment includes electron conductive particles such as metal particles and/or carbon particles.

Abstract: A method of electrodepositing removal of ionic material using tourmaline crystal and tourmaline crystal with electrodeposited metal according to the present invention utilize electrodepositing phenomenon whereby to the cathode (negative pole) of tourmaline permanent electrodes, the metallic ion which is anode ion having electric charge of the opposite character thereto is attracted, neutralized, and deposited as a metallic atom to form a metallic coating on the electrode surface.Hereinafter a method of electrodepositing removal of ionic material using tourmaline crystal and the specific structure of tourmaline crystal with electrodeposited metal according to the present invention will be described in detail.

Abstract: A process for purifying streams which contain organic and/or inorganic impurities is disclosed. The stream to be treated is introduced into a water-containing reaction zone which includes a packed bed of activated carbon to which an electrochemical potential is applied and to which ozone or hydrogen is fed at the same time. The cell further uses a contact electrode placed in the packed bed for supplying or removing an electrical current, and a counterelectrode disposed in a reaction vessel. The counterelectrode is electrically insulated from the packed bed of activated carbon. The cell further includes an inlet for feeding in liquid to be treated, an inlet for feeding ozone or hydrogen gas, and an outlet for discharging treated liquid and a further outlet for discharging waste gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing contaminants from an aqueous medium. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed of metallic particles through which the medium is flowed and through which an electric current is applied by electrodes for agglomerating contaminants in the medium. In order to allow the electrodes to be non-consumable so that they do not require frequent replacement, the particles are consumable.