Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flow through electrode, capacitive deionization (FTE-CDI) system which is able to adsorb nitrates from water being treated using the system. The system makes use of a pair of electrodes arranged generally parallel to one another, with a water permeable dielectric sandwiched between the electrodes. The electrodes receive a direct current voltage from an electrical circuit. At least one of the electrodes is formed from a carbon material having a hierarchical pore size distribution which includes a first plurality of pores having a width of no more than about 1 nm, and a second plurality of micro-sized pores. The micron-sized pores enable a flow of water to be pushed through the electrodes while the first plurality of pores form adsorption sites for nitrate molecules carried in the water flowing through the electrodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon-based porous material microscopically exhibiting a three-dimensional cross-linked net-like hierarchical pore structures with micropores nested in mesopores that are in turn nested in macropores. Such material provides for accelerated adsorption and desorption rates and lower desorption temperatures for recovery of organic gas molecules.

Abstract: Known lithium-ion cells for a secondary battery including an electrode have an active material layer containing active material particles in contact with a non-aqueous electrolyte and a particulate, porous additive. Using this as a basis, it is desired to achieve an improvement in the lithium-ion cells in respect of their gravimetric and volumetric energy density and in respect of inexpensive and reproducible production, and in particular to ensure that the desired properties of the active material layer are not changed, or are not changed to an unacceptable degree, by compression during calendering. Accordingly, it is proposed to use, as an additive, porous carbon particles having a porosity in the range between 50% and 95% and having macropores which are fluidically connected to one another and which are delimited by carbon walls having an average wall thickness in the range of 5 to 500 nm.

Abstract: A method of fabricating porous carbon foam includes mixing equal masses of SiO2 particle dispersion with a chitosan solution, dropwise adding a glutaraldehyde aqueous solution into the mixture and solidifying it in air forming a room temperature hydrogel, lyophilizing the hydrogel to form a sponge-like SiO2-embedded aerogel, carbonizing in a furnace the aerogel to form a SiO2-embedded carbon foam, soaking the embedded carbon foam in NaOH to dissolve the SiO2 particles to form a carbon foam having carbon sheets with sub-micron cavities, immersing the carbon sheets in de-ionized water to remove any NaOH residuals followed by drying, placing the carbon foam in KOH solution followed by drying, annealing in nitrogen atmosphere the dried carbon foam to synthesize a carbon foam with a multi-dimensional porous system, immersing the synthesized carbon foam in de-ionized water to prevent self-burning in air, and rinsing the carbon foam in HCl and water, then oven drying.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode assembly for electrolytic processing in an electrolysis cell comprising an electrode blade comprising a metallic hanger bar portion, a first lug for supporting the metallic hanger bar portion on a first power supply bar, an insulating piece connecting the metallic hanger bar portion to the first lug. The electrode assembly also comprises an electrical switch unit controlling electrical current supply between the first lug and the metallic hanger bar based on a control signal transmitted to a terminal of the electrical switch unit, a control unit configured to transmit the control signal to the terminal of the electrical switch unit, and a power storage unit configured to supply power to the control unit, the power storage unit being charged from the first lug and the hanger bar when the electrical switch unit switches off electrical current supply between the first lug and the metallic hanger bar.

Abstract: A method for removing chlorinated organic pollutants from an aqueous composition by electrocatalysis, including electrolyzing the aqueous composition, in a capillary reactor, with an applied potential of 1-5 kV, in which, during the electrolyzing, the aqueous composition is in contact with porous silica supported-sol-gel coated platinum and titanium catalysts and the electrolyzing forms hydrogen and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for treating natural gas that contains methane, comprising: a) at least one degassing module (1) and/or at least one percolator, and b) at least one gas exchanging module (2). The invention is characterized in that the degassing module (1) and/or the percolator and the gas exchanging module (2) are connected in a water circuit and arranged successively in the flow direction of the water. The water is degassed in the degassing module (1) and/or percolator, and the degassed water absorbs undesired gases from fed natural gas in the gas exchanging module (2). The fed natural gas is fed to the at least one gas exchanging module (2) in countercurrent to the degassed water. The invention further relates to a method for treating natural gas that contains methane, said method being carried out in the system according to the invention.

Abstract: An electrolysis device is configured such that water flowing into a container from an inlet flows from an upstream side to a downstream side in the container and flows out from an outlet. A first electrode pair is arranged on the upstream side than a second electrode pair. In the electrolysis device, in order to suppress a decrease in current density due to electrolyte concentration in the water in the second electrode pair arranged on the downstream side than the first electrode pair, the current density in the second electrode pair is adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention includes an electrolytic bath with increased contact specific surface area configured to effectively electrodeposit valuable metals from waste water, wherein the specific surface area of an electrode contacting the waste water is maximized to increase electrolysis efficiency, and electrolysis space is increased to enable effective electrodeposition and recovery of valuable metals from low-concentration waste water. The electrolytic bath comprises: a housing having an inlet, outlet, gas discharge hole, and inner space; an anode group comprising a plurality of anodes installed in the inner space; a cathode group installed between the anodes to form two electrolysis spaces, and cathode wire threads placed on one side of each electrolysis spaces. As waste water flows through the inlet and electrolysis spaces and then is discharged through the outlet, metal is electrodeposited onto the cathode group and gas is discharged through the gas discharge hole.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for capacitive desalination using segmented electrodes in a flow-through or flow-between configuration. The segmented electrodes constitute layered stack electrode units. Each electrode includes pores into which the target salt water flows. An electrical circuit energizes the electrodes and produces an electrical field acting on the target salt water producing desalted water. The segmented electrodes provide ultra-thin cells into a robust framework necessary for desalination applications which yield orders of magnitude faster desalination.

Abstract: The present invention provides an epoch-making fluid reforming device which requires a small installation site, avoids clogging of pipes, allows uniform on-site adjustment, does not use chemicals or minimizes chemicals ii any, enables germ treatment, and purifies and reforms every fluid including water. The fluid reforming device has (a) a container for fluid reforming having an inlet for introducing an unpurified fluid and an outlet for discharging a purified fluid; (b) a pair or a plurality of pairs of AC application electrodes stored in the container; (c) a cylindrical ground electrode surrounding the AC application electrodes; (d) a polarity switching circuit connected to the AC application electrodes for switching the polarities of the pair of electrodes; and (e) a constant current supply having a current detector for detecting current flowing between the AC application electrodes in fluid reforming, the constant current supply keeping a current value detected by the current detector constant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to transform contaminants in water by electrolytic processes are described. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and electrolytic processes couple an anode comprising iron and a high specific surface area cathode. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide advantages over conventional apparatuses and methods such as, for example, cost savings, efficiency, environmentally benign impact and versality for a variety contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell, including: at least two electrodes, each electrode including: a first and a second surface; and a number of perforations arranged in a substantially uniform pattern; wherein the electrodes are positioned relative to each other such that: at least one surface of each electrode is opposed to a surface of the other electrode, and a gap is formed between the opposed surfaces of the electrodes; wherein the cell includes at least one electrically insulating layer positioned on the opposing surface of at least one electrode, the insulating layer including a number of perforations aligning with the perforations of the electrode on which it is positioned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unit for producing sterilized water. The unit comprises an electrode module, a pair of electrode rods and a frame. The electrode module includes a pair of electrode plates and a hollow electrode separator positioned between the electrode plates to separate the electrode plates from each other. Each of the electrode plates has a plurality of elongated slots formed therein. The electrode rods apply different voltages to the respective electrode plates. The frame is positioned at one side of the electrode module and has portions for receiving the respective electrode rods. Each of the electrode plates has a pair of holes formed at the circumference thereof. The electrode rods penetrate through the respective holes. The holes have different sizes. The electrode plates are stacked in such a manner that the holes having different sizes overlap each other. This stack enables the application of different voltages to the electrode plates through the respective electrode rods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable device for generating ozone in water, purifying the water and making it drinkable. The device comprises a housing; at least two electrodes, including an anode and a cathode extending from the housing into the water and each having semi-rough or rough surfaces in contact with the water. The device also comprises a power supply operatively connected to the electrodes for generating between them a difference of potential creating a current and the hydrolysis of the water creating ozone that purifies the water. The electrodes may have a plate or a rode and tube configuration with a plurality of holes with rough edges. The roughness of the surfaces and of the edges of the holes leads to a coalescence of tiny hydrogen bubbles into larger hydrogen bubbles. The hydrogen may be also removed by absorption in a conductive material and regenerated for reuse.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid includes an electrode with an outer housing having openings in a side wall thereof, a granular conductive material encapsulated within the outer housing, and an electrical terminal located at least partially within the outer housing and in electrical communication with the granular conductive material, wherein the openings are configured to permit ions in a fluid to be treated to pass there through so as to come into contact with the granular conductive material. The system includes a treatment tank and electrodes within the tank being charged to differing polarities by a voltage source. The method includes applying a first polarity to at least one electrode, oppositely charging one or more of other spaced apart electrodes, and flowing the fluid within the space so as to treat the fluid.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a membrane-electrode assembly, an electrolytic cell using the same, a method and an apparatus for producing ozone water, a method for disinfection and a method for wastewater or waste fluid treatment, by using which allow electrolysis reaction products or decomposition products to be produced at a high efficiency, channel pressure drop to be minimized, and the apparatus to be designed compact in size without sacrificing the production capacity. This invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly, comprising an anode having a plurality of through-holes of 0.1 mm or more in diameter; a cathode having a plurality of through-holes of 0.1 mm or more in diameter at the same sites as in the anode; and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane coated on one face or the entire face of at least one of the anode and the cathode with the through-holes being maintained, wherein the anode, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode are tightly adhered.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the marriage of photocatalytic degradation and electrochemical oxidation to provide wastewater remediation and water purification based on the use of bifunctional electrodes. The bifunctional electrode provides for combined photocatalytic and electrochemical wastewater remediation for removing any one or combination of organic chemical pollutants, inorganic chemical pollutants and microorganisms. The electrode includes an electronically conducting substrate having a photocatalyst applied to a portion of the surface, the photocatalyst having a bandgap energy (Eg), and an electrocatalyst applied to another portion of the surface. Under illumination the photocatalyst produces electron-hole pairs which are separated by an anodic bias potential applied across the photocatalyst. The same bias is applied across the electrocatalyst.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a porous carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic component, (iii) a dione component in which carbonyl groups are adjacent, and (iv) an acidic component, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a carbon material possessing a hierarchical porosity comprised of mesopores and macropores. Also described are the resulting hierarchical porous carbon material, a capacitive deionization device in which the porous carbon material is incorporated, as well as methods for desalinating water by use of said capacitive deionization device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating contaminated water containing microorganisms comprising feeding a contaminated water stream at a volumetric flow of about 1 to about 1000 m3/h through an electrolyser zone, said water stream having a conductivity from about 0.0001 to about 100 S/m, electrolysing said water stream in said electrolyser zone defined by at least one electrode pair enabling treatment of microorganisms, said at least one electrode pair comprising an anode and a cathode without separator means, said water stream being guided substantially perpendicularly through said at least one anode and cathode while imposing a voltage across said anode and cathode and supplying a direct current to said anode and cathode, withdrawing from the electrolyser zone a treated water stream. The invention also relates to an electrolytic cell in which said process can be performed, and to the use of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical filed of electrochemical elimination or reduction of microbial impurities of liquids. The liquids treated may inter alia include wastewater, industrial process water and water intended for human consumption.

Abstract: An electrolytic bath includes a shell, an upper cover joined on an upper end of the shell, an outer supporting member held in the shell, a hollow cylindrical positive electrode plate held in the outer supporting member, a hollow cylindrical negative electrode plate held in the positive electrode plate, an inner supporting member held in the negative electrode plate, a lower cover joined on a lower end of the shell, and a base member on a bottom of the lower cover; a space exists between the positive and the negative electrode plates; the electrolytic bath has a waste water outlet and a water outlet hole for acid waste water and alkaline water to flow out therethrough respectively; because the electrode plates are hollow cylindrical and completely open, they can't change shape easily, and there is no need for a separating plate, and scale can't form on the electrode plates easily.

Abstract: An electrolytic method for treatment of water to increase the dissolved oxygen content, the method including: (a) contacting the water with at least one first electrode device; (b) providing at least one second electrode device in non-physical, electrical contact with the water; (c) introducing an oxidant to the water, and (d) passing an electric current between the second electrode device and the first electrode device, so as to establish an electric field in the water of sufficient strength and duration to effect the electrolytic dissociation of the water to produce dissolved oxygen and/or hydrogen species.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering metal from waste plating stream and using the recovered metal comprising: providing a waste metal plating stream containing metal ions in an aqueous solution; passing the waste metal plating stream containing the metal ions into an electrochemical cell assembly having an inlet for the waste metal plating stream, a plurality of alternating anodes and cathodes porous to the waste metal solution and an exit from the cell; passing the waste metal plating stream through pores of the cathode; passing an electrical current through the anodes and cathodes, thereby depositing a portion of the metal ions onto the cathodes and reducing the amount of the metal ion in the solution from that in the introduced waste metal plating stream; recovering the deposited metal from the cathode; and using the recovered deposited metal as a source of soluble metallic anode to be deposited on to a substrate in a subsequent metal plating process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a structure of an electrode for use as an anode and/or a cathode in an electrolytic cell. The electrode structure is characterised by a conductive frame (10) having a number of liquid through flow openings (18) and including means (20) for connection to current a supply, in that one or both plane sides of the frame is covered with a conductive perforated foil or a wire mesh, and the wire mesh includes spacer means (18) being adapted to cover the surface structure of the frame (10). A method for preparing said electrode and use of the anode and cathode are also disclosed.

Abstract: The commercial unipolar activation of water to disinfect raw water supply from rivers or wells, seawater, or waste water from sewage, animal waste, processing plant waste, cooling tower water, swimming pool and spa water, ship ballast water and similar polluted waters. Disinfection is accomplished by hydrogen peroxide and ozone including biocides from chlorine and sulphur compounds in the water that are produced during the electrolytic unipolar activation of the water. Unipolar activation can also be used to perform chemical reactions such as in the activation of seawater. This invention can also produce alkaline water that is beneficial for health.

Abstract: A method for producing a color-converting light-emitting device is provided that can prevent the deposition of elements caused by ion migration during an electrophoresis process used to deposit a phosphor layer on the light emitting device. An anode and a light-emitting device having a semiconductor light-emitting element are disposed in a solution in which phosphor particles are dispersed. An auxiliary cathode can be disposed between the light-emitting device and the anode. A DC voltage can be applied between one electrode of the light-emitting device and the anode so that the electrical potential of the electrode is lower than that of the anode, thereby moving the particles to a surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element and allowing them to deposit thereon. The electrical potential of the auxiliary cathode is maintained lower than that of the surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element.

Abstract: A water sanitization apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a power unit, a housing with inlet and outlet openings for permitting the passage of water containing a bromide salt into the housing and water containing a free bromine and a sanitizing metal ion out of the housing, respectively, and first and second electrodes electrically connected to the power unit. The first electrode has a graphite or carbon substrate doped with copper, silver, and/or zinc. When operated as an anode, the first electrode converts bromide salt to free bromine and oxidize doped metal to sanitizing metal ion. Also provided are related water treatment systems and methods.

Abstract: An object is to provide an electrode for electrolysis which is preferable in generation of ozone water usable in cleaning and sterilizing of water and sewage, or cleaning in a semiconductor device manufacturing process by an electrolysis process, and a method of manufacturing this electrode for electrolysis. The surface of a conductive substrate constituting the electrode for electrolysis is coated with a noble metal such as platinum or a noble metal oxide to form an intermediate layer, further a surface layer is constituted of a dielectric material on the surface of the intermediate layer, and the surface layer is provided with holes.

Abstract: There are provided a water treating method and water treating apparatus which can significantly improve an effect of eliminating microorganisms contained in water intended for drinking and cooking or waster water and a hydroponics system using the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for elimination of unwanted species from contaminated ship ballast water. The apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell containing at least one pair of electrodes, electric alternating current, and parallel perforated electrodes, for providing an effective and safe method to render ballast water or other conductive bodies of water free of aquatic invasive species and/or unwanted biologics.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell design is disclosed for the particular application of the electrochemical treatment of contaminants in water. The cell is designed to allow the treatment of low concentrations of contaminants in low conductivity water efficiently, and to be simple to fabricate. The design incorporates tapered inlet and outlet fluid flow manifolds so that the cell pressure drop will be almost entirely due to fluid contacting the electrodes, thus maximising the effective use of the system pump power. A short anode to cathode distance and thin working electrodes are used to minimise resistive electrical power losses. The parallel slacked arrangement of the electrodes and the smooth inlet and outlet designs leads to relatively even distributions of current density and mass transfer resulting in maximal utilisation of the entire active electrode surface area.

Abstract: A method and system for electrolysis of water to increase the dissolved oxygen content, raise oxidation reduction potential, and perform direct oxidation of dissolved contaminants in situ. This is accomplished by an electrolytic catalytic oxidation (ECO) cell having an innovative configuration of electrodes in a cartridge designed to maximize water contact with an efficiently designed affecting system. The cartridge consisting of multiple mesh electrodes arranged transversely to imposed water flow electrolyzes passing water when energized. The mesh construction of the electrodes allows water flow to be essentially through the electrodes, with a narrow gap set up between cathode and anode to reduce voltage requirements of the system. The cartridge anodes are preferably plated with a mixed metal oxide such as iridium oxide and ruthenium oxide to catalytically improve the production of oxygen.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell design is disclosed for the particular application of the electrochemical treatment of contaminants in water. The cell is designed to allow the treatment of low concentrations of contaminants in low conductivity water efficiently, and to be simple to fabricate. The design incorporates tapered inlet and outlet fluid flow manifolds so that the cell pressure drop will be almost entirely due to fluid contacting the electrodes, thus maximising the effective use of the system pump power. A short anode to cathode distance and thin working electrodes are used to minimise resistive electrical power losses. The parallel slacked arrangement of the electrodes and the smooth inlet and outlet designs leads to relatively even distributions of current density and mass transfer resulting in maximal utilisation of the entire active electrode surface area.

Abstract: Phosphorus is removed from water to be treated by immersing electrodes into a tank filled with the water to be treated, applying a DC voltage between the electrodes to generate hydroxide ions through a cation migration in the water and/or an electrolysis, and precipitating phosphate ions in the water as a salt slightly soluble in water.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a flow of water containing contaminants includes first and second permeable electrodes and a power supply is coupled to each of the first and second permeable electrodes to create an electrical potential therebetween. The first and second permeable electrodes are disposed within the flow of water containing contaminants with the first permeable electrode upstream from the second permeable electrode and the water containing contaminants flowing through and between the permeable electrodes. The permeable electrodes are spaced a select distance to promote an electric current in the water containing contaminants between the electrodes sufficient to sustain oxidation or reduction of the contaminants in the vicinity of the electrodes. The electrodes are preferably substantially planar plates disposed in parallel and substantially normal to the direction of water flow. The distance between the plates is between about 0.001 and 1 meter.

Abstract: An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The hydrogen forms bubbles at the cathode, which bubbles rise to the surface. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. The electrodes may be a metal or oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten, manganese, tantalum, molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium and osmium or oxides thereof. The electrodes may be formed into open grids or may be closed surfaces. The most preferred cathode is a stainless steel mesh. The most preferred mesh is a {fraction (1/16)} inch grid. The most preferred anode is platinum and iridium oxide on a support. A preferred support is titanium. Models suitable for different uses are disclosed.

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: There is disclosed an electrode apparatus, which comprises an electrode (1) composed of a conductor through which perforations (2) are formed from a surface to a backing surface, wherein when the conductor is maintained at an electric potential sufficient to cause an oxidation or reduction reaction to occur in substances to be treated (3) of a solution entered from an inlet of the perforation and passed through inside the perforation, the substances to be treated are captured or rendered harmless by their oxidation or reduction reaction inside the perforation, and the solution whose concentration is lowered is diffused from an outlet of the perforations.

Abstract: At least one of an anode and a cathode or at least a cathode has holes or pores for filtration. To remove floating material, soil suspending materials and/or hydroxides such as Calcium formed on the filterable electrode(s), at intervals between the electrolysis processes, the direction of water flow is reversed, and treated water is pulled back through the electrode(s) and electrolyzed again, whereby the materials deposited on electrode(s) is removed.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to obtain a cooking liquor containing polysulfide-sulfur at a high concentration by minimizing by-production of thiosulfate ions. The present invention is a method for producing polysulfides, which comprises introducing a solution containing sulfide ions into an anode compartment of an electrolytic cell comprising the anode compartment provided with a porous anode, a cathode compartment provided with a cathode, and a diaphragm partitioning the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, for electrolytic oxidation to obtain polysulfide ions, characterized in that the porous anode is disposed so that a space is provided at least partly between the porous anode and the diaphragm, and the apparent volume of the porous anode is from 60% to 99% based on the volume of the anode compartment.

Abstract: Phosphorus is removed from water to be treated by immersing electrodes into a tank filled with the water to be treated, applying a DC voltage between the electrodes to generate hydroxide ions through a cation migration in the water and/or an electrolysis, and precipitating phosphate ions in the water as a salt slightly soluble in water.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a flow of water containing contaminants includes first and second permeable electrodes and a power supply is coupled to each of the first and second permeable electrodes to create an electrical potential therebetween. The first and second permeable electrodes are disposed within the flow of water containing contaminants with the first permeable electrode upstream from the second permeable electrode and the water containing contaminants flowing through and between the permeable electrodes. The permeable electrodes are spaced a select distance to promote an electric current in the water containing contaminants between the electrodes sufficient to sustain oxidation or reduction of the contaminants in the vicinity of the electrodes. The electrodes are preferably substantially planar plates disposed in parallel and substantially normal to the direction of water flow. The distance between the plates is between about 0.001 and 1 meter.

Abstract: Electropurification of contaminated aqueous media, such as ground water and wastewater from industrial manufacturing facilities like paper mills, food processing plants and textile mills, is readily purified, decolorized and sterilized by improved, more economic open configuration electrolysis cell designs with electrodes comprising a plurality of conductive porous elements in electrical contact with one another. The cells may be divided or undivided, and connected in monopolar or bipolar configuration. When coupled with very narrow capillary gap electrodes more economic operation, particularly when treating solutions of relatively low conductivity is assured. The novel cell design is also useful in the electrosynthesis of chemicals, both organic and inorganic types, such as hypochlorite bleaches and other oxygenated species.

Abstract: Electropurification of contaminated aqueous media, such as ground water and wastewater from industrial manufacturing facilities like paper mills, food processing plants and textile mills, is readily purified, decolorized and sterilized by improved, more economic open configuration electrolysis cell designs, which may be divided or undivided, allowing connection as monopolar or bipolar cells. When coupled with very narrow capillary gap electrodes more economic operation particular when treating solutions of relatively low conductivity is assured. The novel cell design is also useful in the electrosynthesis of chemicals, such as hypochlorite bleaches and other oxygenated species.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sterilizing microorganisms and/or decomposing organic and inorganic pollutants in a region of ground soil by passing a specified direct current through the contaminated soil region with a controlled voltage applied between at least one pair of electrodes incorporated into the ground soil. For decomposition of the organic and inorganic pollutants, it is postulated that the applied electric field increases the natural capacitance of the individual soil particles to over capacitance sufficient to cause the soil particles to discharge electrons. This electric discharge, in turn, provides the reaction energy to promote the redox reactions which effects decomposition of the pollutants. The voltage is preferable controlled to optimize the amplitude and frequency of the electric discharges emitted by the soil particles which have become subject to over capacitance.

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: A method of reducing scale formation in an aqueous solution using an electrolysis apparatus which has, in an electrolysis chamber, at least two electrodes and a bipolar electrode between the two electrodes includes feeding an aqueous solution to the electrolysis chamber, applying either a DC potential to the two electrodes so that one electrode is an anode and the other electrode is a cathode and reversing the polarity of the electrodes at intervals so that the composition of the aqueous solution remains essentially unchanged, or applying an AC potential to the two electrodes, producing, after the aqueous solution has passed through the electrolysis chamber, a treated aqueous solution having a significantly reduced tendency to form scale.

Abstract: The process comprises the oxidation, in an electrolytic cell provided with at least one anodes of pollutants which contaminate wastewaters, and is characterized in that oxygen is diffused in the electrolytic cell cathode or cathodes subjected to a voltage lower than 100 V in order to reduce said gas to a dissolution oxidizing species selected among hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl and/or peroxydril (HO2·) radicals. The equipment for implementing said process comprises an elecrolytic cell continuously supplied and provided with an anode (1) and two oxygen diffusion cathodes (2) and is sealed on either side with a frame (3), said frames and cathodes delimiting the compartments (4) which are supplied with oxygen gas and/or gas mixtures containing oxygen through inlets (6); similarly, the cathode and the anode delimit the compartments (5) through which circulates the contaminated water entering through the inlet (5) and coming out through outlets (8).

Abstract: An electrode for deionization of water is made of a continuous activated carbon structure. The activated carbon is derived from a synthetic carbon precursor. The structure has openings, inlet and outlet ends such that water entering the inlet end passes through the openings and exits through the outlet end, a conductive coating on at least part of the outer surface of the structure, and a metal wire in contact with the structure. A deionization system is made up of the electrodes in series so that the outlet end of one electrode is next to the inlet end of the nearest downstream electrode. The metal wire of each electrode is connected to a power source to deliver the opposite charge as the charge delivered to its neighboring electrodes. Each of the electrodes is fixedly attached to and sealed within a housing with an air and moisture-tight seal. Openings in the housing between the electrodes, allow air to be removed before use.