Abstract: The present invention relates to a water purification process carried out in an electrochemical cell in which the content of nitrate ions of an aqueous solution is reduced providing a resulting aqueous solution having a concentration of nitrate concentration lower than 100 ppm, an ammonium concentration lower than 50 ppm and a combined chlorine concentration lower than 2 ppm. The invention also provides a method for designing an electrochemical cell suitable for carrying out said water purification process.

Abstract: A method for extracting and enriching lithium, including: (a) providing an electrodialysis device including an electrodialysis cell; (b) dividing the electrodialysis cell into a lithium salt chamber and a brine chamber using an anion exchange membrane; (c) filling the brine chamber with salt lake brine; (d) filling the lithium salt chamber with a Mg2+ free supporting electrolyte solution; (e) placing a conductive substrate coated with an ion sieve in the brine chamber to operate as a cathode; (f) placing a conductive substrate coated with a lithium-intercalated ion sieve in the lithium salt chamber to operate as an anode; and (g) carrying out an electrodialysis.

Abstract: A washing device includes a container (10) in which aqueous solution is contained, an adsorption electrode (11) which is placed in the container (10) and on which adsorption and desorption of ions in the aqueous solution can be brought about, a counter electrode (12) which is placed in the container (10) so as to face the adsorption electrode (11), a direct-current power source (20) for applying a voltage between the adsorption electrode (11) and the counter electrode (12), and a switching circuit (30) for switching polarity of the voltage applied between the adsorption electrode (11) and the counter electrode (12).

Abstract: A nitrate reduction method in accordance with the present invention reduces at least one type of nitrates and nitrites in a presence of a carbon-based material containing at least one selected from a group consisting of graphite, graphene, and amorphous carbon.

Abstract: An in-line cleaning and sanitation apparatus for cleaning a liquid, the apparatus including electronic oxidation means to increase the oxidation reduction potential of the liquid, and ionization means to produce ions having an algaecidal or bactericidal effect into the liquid, in that order together with ultrasonic cleaning means to introduce sound waves into the liquid, and wherein the ionization means, the ultrasonic cleaning means and the electronic oxidation means are operated simultaneously for a period to clean and sanitize the liquid in the absence of added salt, chlorine or other chemicals.

Abstract: A flowcell 2 is constituted of insulating substrates 2a and 2b. The two substrates 2a and 2b have been directly bonded to each other by a bonding method for attaining tenacious bonding, for example, anodic bonding or hydrofluoric acid bonding. A channel 6 has been formed at the interface between the substrates 2a and 2b. Part of the substrate 2a which faces the channel 6 has a carbon electrode 4a formed thereon by sintering a pasty carbon material, the electrode 4a extending along the channel 6. On the other hand, the substrate 2b has a groove 6a serving as the channel 6, and has an electrode 4b made of a metal film formed on a bottom surface of the groove 6a.

Abstract: A two-in-one copper chloride/copper bromide disinfector and a method of controlling the same. In operation, when copper is released, the positive and negative electrodes of a copper billet are periodically reversed, while the positive and negative electrodes of a titanium plate/graphite polar plate are in an uncharged state. When chlorine/bromine is released, the positive and negative electrodes of a titanium plate/graphite polar plate are periodically reversed, while the positive and negative electrodes of the copper billet are short-connected, then connected to the negative electrode of the titanium plate/graphite polar plate, or applied thereon with an electric voltage that is lower than the electric voltage of the negative electrode of the titanium plate/graphite polar plate. With this method, the copper billet out of operation is shorted-connected to the negative electrode of the titanium plate/graphite polar plate or connected to an electric voltage that is lower than that of the negative electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for treating wastewater that contains emulsified oil is provided. The method comprises feeding the wastewater that contains the emulsified oil to an electrolytic tank, and oxidatively electrolyzing the wastewater that contains the emulsified oil using indissoluble electrodes. The negatively charged emulsified oil particles in the wastewater are neutralized on a surface of an anode during the oxidative electrolysis. The anode comprises an indissoluble electrode with oxygen radical-generating characteristics. The method further comprises particle group electrolyzing the wastewater using particle groups, and discharging the treated wastewater.

Abstract: A new method that integrates electrochemical oxidation and flocculation processes for removing ammonia nitrogen in coking wastewater is disclosed in this invention. It comprises steps as follow: first, adjusting the PH of coking wastewater and adding Fe2+ into the wastewater; then leading the wastewater containing Fe2+ through such 5 areas as pulsed high-voltage discharge oxidation area, pulsed high-frequency DC electrolytic oxidation area, microbubble oxidation area, flocculation area and precipitation area in succession. High-voltage pulse and high-frequency pulse are two different mechanisms for achieving strong oxidation. With help of both solid and liquid catalysts, these two oxidations can work synergistically. The recalcitrant organic chemicals are effectively destroyed and satisfactorily removed out of wastewater. The high-concentration coking waster pretreated with this method will meet Chinese highest discharge standard as long as the routine biochemical treatment is applied thereafter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid diamond electrode, a reactor, in particular a reactor comprising an anode, a cathode and at least one bipolar electrode having first and second major working surfaces positioned therebetween wherein the at least one bipolar electrode consists essentially of diamond, and methods in which the reactors are used.

Abstract: A nanoporous insulating oxide deionization device, method of manufacture and method of use thereof for deionizing a water supply (such as a hard water supply), for desalinating a salt water supply, and for treating a bacteria-containing water supply. The device contains two composite electrodes each constructed from a conductive backing electrode and a composite oxide layer being an insulating oxide or a non-insulating oxide and an intermediate porous layer. The composite layer being substantially free of mixed oxidation states and nanoporous and having a median pore diameter of 0.5-500 nanometers and average surface area of 300-600 m2/g. The composite layer made from a stable sol-gel suspension containing particles of the insulating oxide, the median primary particle diameter being 1-50 nanometers.

Abstract: An electrode is described completely made of graphenes or containing high amounts of these compounds in mixture with nanostructured or non-nanostructured carbon-based materials. An electrooxidation process for the removal of contaminants from liquids, and a reactor for performing the process, based on the use of said electrodes, are also described.

Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical water treatment, the electrode including a nanodiamond and a conducting agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for activating a diamond-based electrode, which includes a step consisting in subjecting, in the presence of an aqueous solution containing an ionic electrolyte, said electrode to an alternately cathodic and anodic polarization potential, of increasing amplitude so as to obtain an anodic and cathodic current density of between 10 ?A/cm2 and 1 mA/cm2. The present invention also relates to a diamond-based electrode activated by said process and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: A flowcell 2 is constituted of insulating substrates 2a and 2b. The two substrates 2a and 2b have been directly bonded to each other by a bonding method for attaining tenacious bonding, for example, anodic bonding or hydrofluoric acid bonding. A channel 6 has been formed at the interface between the substrates 2a and 2b. Part of the substrate 2a which faces the channel 6 has a carbon electrode 4a formed thereon by sintering a pasty carbon material, the electrode 4a extending along the channel 6. On the other hand, the substrate 2b has a groove 6a serving as the channel 6, and has an electrode 4b made of a metal film formed on a bottom surface of the groove 6a.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid diamond electrode, a reactor, in particular a reactor comprising an anode, a cathode and at least one bipolar electrode having first and second major working surfaces positioned therebetween wherein the at least one bipolar electrode consists essentially of diamond, and methods in which the reactors are used.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for the decontamination of fluid, particularly the removal of heavy metals and/or arsenic and/or their compounds from water, by means of electrolysis, wherein the water to be purified subjected to electrodes of different polarities. The invention can include means for control of the pH of the fluid. The invention can also include control systems that allow self-cleaning of electrodes, self-cleaning of filters, and automatic monitoring of maintenance conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning, sterilising and disinfecting dishes and other kitchen utensils by means of a wash liquid (5). In order to permit an economically and technically advantageous cleaning, an electrical current is directly applied to an electrode (15, 16), arranged in the wash liquid (5) and embodied as a diamond and/or lead-tin electrode, to generate OH radicals (14) in said wash liquid (5), which permit cleaning, sterilising and disinfecting of dishes and other kitchen utensils. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method, wherein an electrolytic cell (20) with a pair of electrodes (15, 16), comprising a diamond electrode for generating OH radicals (14), is directly integrated into a wash water circuit of a dishwasher (1).

Abstract: An electro-catalyst for the oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media; the electrocatalyst being a noble metal co-deposited on a support with one or more other metals that are active to ammonia oxidation. In some embodiments, the support is platinum, gold, tantalum, or iridium. In some embodiments, the support has a layer of Raney metal deposited thereon prior to the deposition of the catalyst. Also provided are electrodes having the electro-catalyst deposited thereon, ammonia electrolytic cells, ammonia fuel cells, ammonia sensors, and a method for removing ammonia contaminants from a contaminated effluent.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented for removal and destruction of nitrate from water using an ion exchange medium from which the nitrate is eluted using brine, and in which the so generated eluent is sequentially reduced and oxidized in distinct compartments to form nitrogen from nitrate and ammonia, respectively. In especially preferred devices and methods, the reduced and oxidized eluent is re-reduced to electrochemically destroy hypohalites formed during oxidation. Among other advantages, contemplated devices and methods allow nitrate destruction with minimal concomitant production of nitrite and hypohalites.

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: A combined electrochemical system for scale treatment and eradicating bacteria in water supply systems having: (a) a first electro-chemical cell including: (i) a first metallic tank for receiving a water supply and forming a cathode of the first electro-chemical cell, and (ii) a first anode, disposed within the first tank; (b) a second electro-chemical cell including: (i) a second metallic tank for receiving an effluent from the first tank and forming a cathode of the second electro-chemical cell, and (ii) a second anode, disposed within the second tank; and (c) a DC electrical supply source operatively connected to the first and the second cells, wherein the first electro-chemical cell is operative for trapping bacteria in a colloid-like structure, and the second electro-chemical cell is operative for producing a pH above 12 near the walls of the second tank, so as to form a bacteria-containing precipitate on the walls of the second tank, thereby removing the bacteria from the water supply.

Abstract: There is provided a nitrogen treating method capable of treating nitrogen compounds efficiently. The method is a nitrogen treating method of treating nitrogen compounds in for-treatment water by electrolysis and performs a first treating step of producing ammonia from the nitrogen compounds in the for-treatment water by electrolysis using a cathode and an anode between which a cation exchange film is interposed so as to define a cathode reaction region and an anode reaction region, and a second treating step of removing the ammonia in the for-treatment water treated in the cathode reaction region by the first treating step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow cell, a method for separating carrier-free radionuclides from a liquid or liquefiable target material, and the radiochemical reaction thereof. According to prior art, flow cells are known which require reaction volumes corresponding to the volume of the target material in order to carry out the desired reactions. The inventive flow cell (1) and method enable the reaction volume, and thus the quantity of starting material, to be reduced by a multiple by reducing the cylinder volume (=reaction volume). As the radioactively marked product is present in very small quantities (picomole to nanomole), the HPL-chromatographic separation of the non-reacted starting material is significantly improved. The economic efficiency of the method is increased due to the fact that small quantities of starting material can be used.

Abstract: There are provided an electrode for electrolysis which takes into consideration safety to human bodies and environmental pollution upon disposal of the electrode, produces ozone with high efficiency and has excellent durability, a production process of the electrode, and an active oxygen producing device using the electrode. In an electrode 5 for electrolysis which has an electrode catalyst at least on the surface and produces ozone or active oxygen in for-treatment water by electrolysis, the electrode catalyst contains a dielectric which constitutes more than 70% of the surface area of the electrode catalyst.

Abstract: Method for cleaning and disinfecting treatment of water, during which the water is exposed to at least one electric field, whereby the electric field is a low-current field with pulsating direct voltage. Device for realization of the method which includes a source of pulsating direct voltage; two conducting elements, which are connected in a conducting manner to the source of pulsating direct voltage and which are arranged to achieve a low-current field with pulsating direct voltage between them; together with a device for changing in a time-dependent manner the direction of direct voltage. Device for realization of the method which includes a source of a rectified pulsating magnetic field and a conducting element, which is arranged in the pulsating magnetic field such that, during operation of the device, an electric field is produced around the conducting element by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: A variety of pollutants and other contaminants may be removed from a variety of aqueous media using electrolytic treatments. The treatment includes inserting an anode and a cathode into the medium undergoing treatment, and applying a high current and voltage to the electrodes. The treatment may also include the addition of catalytic enzymes to the medium undergoing treatment. The present methods are compatible with aquatic lifeforms, and offer an effective alternative to chemical-based water treatment systems.

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: A process for increasing the active surface area of at least one electrode having a surface comprising a group VIII metal in an electrochemical cell, which also comprises at least one balancing electrode and an aqueous electrolyte which comprises nitrate ions, which comprises applying a sweeping voltage across the electrodes at a rate of at least 0.2 V/s, the sweeping voltage being from a lower voltage which is between the voltage at which hydrogen evolution occurs and −0.7 V to an upper voltage which is between −0.2 V and +0.3 V, all of the above voltages being with reference to a standard calomel reference electrode (VSCE).

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 provided a water treating method which can not only improve an effect of eliminating microorganisms in water intended for cooking and drinking or waste water but also prevent a reduction in trace amounts of nutritional elements. In the method, at least a pair of carbon fibers capable of collecting at least microorganisms are immersed in for-treatment water, potentials of opposite polarities are applied to the carbon fibers, and the polarities of the potentials are switched at a predetermined time interval so as to adsorb the microorganisms on the carbon fibers. After the microorganisms are adsorbed, a positive potential is applied to one of the carbon fibers, and a negative potential is applied to the other so as to cause electrolysis. Then, an alternating voltage is applied to the carbon fibers so as to heat the for-treatment water and the carbon fibers.

Abstract: A process for an electrochemical reduction of a reducible dye by contacting said reducible dye with a cathode comprising a support of an electrically conductive material and an electrically conductive, cathodically polarized layer formed thereon in situ by alluviation comprises conducting said electrochemical reduction in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A process for removing nitrate ions from an aqueous solution thereof which comprises passing the solution through an electrochemical cell comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode and passing a current therebetween, wherein the cathode surface (s) comprise rhodium metal.

Abstract: Dioxins are eliminated from soot by conversion into oil and water. A gas stream of smoke and dioxin-entraining ash is passed through a curtain of water in a separator to separate the dioxin-entraining ash from the gas stream. The ash-water mixture is separated by a centrifuge, the separated ash is mixed with water and the mixture is again separated by a centrifuge into ash and an emulsion-like oil-water mixture in which dioxins are dissolved. This separated ash is also washed with water and the various wash waters and the dioxin-containing oil-water mixture are admixed and electrolyzed in a primary electrolyzer equipped with a carbon anode and a stainless steel cathode to decompose the dioxin components. The remaining aqueous liquid is electrolyzed in a secondary electrolyzer with an aluminum anode and a stainless steel cathode to generate hydrogen by electrolysis of water and metal hydroxides by electrolysis of aluminum.

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: 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: An apparatus (200) for the treatment of effluent including a chamber (210) having an inlet (212) and an outlet (252), a plurality of plate-type electrodes (211) extending vertically in the chamber (210), and an electrical supply connected to the plurality of plate-type electrodes (211). The plurality of plate-type electrodes (211) define a plurality of channels extending within the chamber (210). Each of the plurality of channels occurs between adjacent electrodes (211). The plurality of electrodes (211) are positioned between the inlet (212) and the outlet (252). The electrical supply delivers electricity of a first polarity to a first set of a plurality of electrodes (211). The electrical supply delivers electricity of an opposite polarity to the second set of electrodes (211).

Abstract: Stainless steel pickling process in which a pickling solution containing HF and Fe3+ ions as essential components is used, and wherein the oxidation to Fe3+ of the Fe2+ formed during the process in order to maintain the Fe3+ concentration to the predetermined value, is electrolytically carried out by submitting the pickling solution as it is to an oxidation process in an electrolytic cell equipped with anode made of inalterable materials chosen among graphite, granular coal, lead and with cathodes made of stainless steel, graphite or other unalterable materials, said cell working with an applied tension between 1 and 8 V and with an anodic current density between 0.4 and 15 A/dm2.

Abstract: Concentration of tritium and/or deuterium that is a contaminant in H2O, followed by separation of the concentrate from the H2O. Employed are certain metal oxo complexes, preferably with a metal from Group VIII. For instance, [RuIV(2,2′,6′,2″-terpyridine)(2,2′-bipyridine)(O)](ClO4)2 is very suitable.

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: A carbon-reinforced electrode is disclosed. The electrode is formed from a high surface area absorptive material ("HSAAM electrode") made from resorcinol, formaldehyde, a carbon reinforcing agent, a catalyst, and reaction products thereof, and is in a carbonized form. This electrode removes ions from a liquid when an electric current is applied. The liquid may be passed through a thickness of the electrode, or may be passed by the surface of the electrode. A method of making the HSAAM electrodes is also disclosed. The HSAAM electrodes are formed from setting a polymerized mixture of resorcinol, formaldehyde and a carbon reinforcing agent supplied in the form of carbon fibers, carbon felt or cellulose under controlled temperature and time constraints, and subsequently firing the resulting product so as to carbonize the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for deionization of a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus has a number of deionization cells, each cell having two different types of electrodes. The first type of electrode is formed from a high surface area absorptive material ("HSAAM electrode") made from resorcinol, formaldehyde, a carbon reinforcing agent, a catalyst, and reaction products thereof, and is in a carbonized form. This electrode removes ions when an electric current is applied. The second type of electrode, which does not remove ions, is formed from a non-HSAAM material. Each deionization cell has a single HSAAM electrode bordered on either side by a non-HSAAM electrode, and adjacent deionization cells do not share any electrodes of either type. The non-HSAAM electrodes are formed from carbon cloth or carbon felt fixed to one side of a plexiglass sheet, and two such sheets are needed to form a cell.

Abstract: In a water purification system for purifying raw water with a first d.c. voltage is applied between a conductive adsorber portion (20) and a primary electrode (27) in the raw water, a second d.c. voltage higher than the first d.c. voltage is applied in place of the first d.c. voltage at intervals between the adsorber portion and the primary electrode to accelerate generation of chlorine from the raw water. The primary electrode is opposite to the adsorber portion with a particular space left therebetween. It is preferable that the adsorber portion is provided with a supplementary electrode (29) which is opposite to the primary electrode so that the particular space is left therebetween.

Abstract: An ion supply unit for a water system which is to have its contents purified includes a tank fed from a main water supply and an electrolytic ion generator including silver alloy electrodes. A pump circulates water from the tank through the ion generator and back into the tank at a rate of at least 1 L/s to gradually ionize the contents of the tank and generate a concentrate of silver-ion-laden water. An injector feeds the concentrate into the water system as required.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrolytic ionic water for treating a substrate, comprising an electrolytic cell including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber partitioned from the anodic chamber by a porous membrane, a first carbon electrode housed in the anodic chamber, a second carbon electrode housed in said cathodic chamber, apparatus for supplying an electrolyte solution prepared by dissolving a supporting electrolyte in pure water or ultra pure water into the electrolytic cell, apparatus for applying a DC voltage between the first and second carbon electrodes and so as to electrolyze the electrolyte solution, thereby to form an oxidizing ionic water in the anodic chamber and a reducing ionic water in the cathodic chamber, a first discharge port for discharging the oxidizing ionic water from within the anodic chamber, and a second discharge port for discharging the reducing ionic water from within the cathodic chamber.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of metal ions in pure water or ultrapure water and thereby obtaining pure water or ultrapure water. Such purified pure water or purified ultrapure water is used, for example, when washing semiconductor wafers, as a starting material of electrolytic ionic water, or for diluting washing water. A pair of carbon electrodes is disposed in an ultrapure water storage tank containing pure water or ultrapure water or in a purifying tank disposed in a line leading from an ultrapure water storage tank. A D.C. voltage is applied across the electrode pair. A carbon electrode material having a large specific surface area is chosen, and an electrode structure with which there is little detachment of carbon fragments is used. After the carbon electrode is molded, a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the molding by dipping the molding in an amorphous carbon bath.

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: An apparatus for deionization of a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus has a number of deionization cells, each cell having two different types of electrodes. The first type of electrode is formed from a high surface area absorptive material ("HSAAM electrode") made from resorcinol, formaldehyde, a carbon reinforcing agent, a catalyst, and reaction products thereof, and is in a carbonized form. This electrode removes ions when an electric current is applied. The second type of electrode, which does not remove ions, is formed from a non-HSAAM material. Each deionization cell has a single HSAAM electrode bordered on either side by a non-HSAAM electrode, and adjacent deionization cells do not share any electrodes of either type. The non-HSAAM electrodes are formed from carbon cloth or carbon felt fixed to one side of a plexiglass sheet, and two such sheets are needed to form a cell.

Abstract: A two stages electrocatalytic method for oxidative-purification of wastewater from soluble substances, such as toxic chemical admixtures difficult of oxidation, including dye-stuffs, detergents, phenols, cyanides and the like, which stages inactivate the soluble substances present in the wastewater in a synergistic fashion and, therefore, are highly efficient, the method comprising the steps of (a) in a first stage, electrochemically treating the wastewater in the presence of chlorine ions, such that chlorine-containing oxidizing agents are formed and at least partially oxidize the soluble substances in the wastewater; and (b) in a second stage, catalytically treating the first stage treated wastewater in presence of a non-chlorine oxidizing agent and an added catalyst, such that remainings of the soluble substances are further oxidized, and such that the chlorine-containing oxidizing agents formed during the first stage are catalytically reduced; wherein, the first stage and the second stage act synergistica