Colloid decomposition method and apparatus for electrochemically resolving emulsions

Colloid decomposition apparatus for electrochemically resolving emulsions, primarily O/W type emulsions, comprising

• an emulsion container connected through a pre-settlement tank and a feed pump to a hydrocyclone and/or an initial filter,
• an electrochemical decomposition reactor to which the hydrocyclone and/or the initial filter are connected through a heat regenerator and feed pump, where an anode made of electrochemically active material and connected to a power supply and a cathode made of electrochemically inactive material are arranged in the electrochemical decomposition reactor, with the emulsion being introduced between the anode and the cathode such that the emulsion introduction point is disposed lower than the emulsion discharge point,
• a receiving tank connected to the electrochemical decomposition reactor, adapted for receiving the foam produced in the process and for receiving the settled and/or filtered particles,
• a discharge pump for discharging through a final filter and/or a final settlement tank and a heat regenerator the decontaminated water leaving the electrochemical decomposition reactor,
• a pH adjustment unit consisting of a pH meter disposed downstream of the electrochemical decomposition reactor for measuring the pH of decontaminated water, a controller connected to the pH meter, a reagent container, and a reagent feeder that is disposed upstream of the electrochemical decomposition reactor.
• stop valves known per se, disposed in the pipes carrying the emulsion or the decontaminated water and adapted for preventing or allowing the flow of the emulsion or the decontaminated water.

Colloid decomposition method for electrochemically resolving emulsions, primarily W/O type emulsions, comprising the steps of

• separating solid contaminants from the emulsion,
• absorbing CO2 gas in the emulsion, thereby changing the emulsion type from W/O to O/W,
• pre-heating the emulsion utilizing a heat regenerator,
• setting the stability minimum of the emulsion by adjusting the pH,
• resolving the emulsion in an electrochemical decomposition reactor by passing it between an anode made of electrochemically active material and a cathode made of electrochemically inactive material, while the colloid particles of the emulsion are bound in flocks forming a foam utilizing as a flocculants the compound produced in situ from the electrochemically active anode.
• discharging the foam produced in the above step, and
• discharging the decontaminated water through a final settlement tank and/or a final filter and/or a heat regenerator.

Colloid decomposition apparatus for electrochemically resolving emulsions, primarily W/O type emulsions, comprising

• an emulsion container connected through a pre-settlement tank and a feed pump to a hydrocyclone and/or an initial filter,
• a CO2 gas tank for introducing CO2 gas into the emulsion through a discontinuous C02 feeder and/or a continuous CO2 feeder,
• an electrochemical decomposition reactor to which the hydrocyclone and/or the initial filter are connected through a heat regenerator and feed pump, where an anode made of electrochemically active material and connected to a power supply, and a cathode made of electrochemically inactive material are arranged in the electrochemical decomposition reactor, with the emulsion being introduced between the anode and the cathode such that the emulsion introduction point is disposed lower than the emulsion discharge point,
• a receiving tank connected to the electrochemical decomposition reactor, adapted for receiving the foam produced in the process and for receiving the settled and/or filtered particles,
• a discharge pump for discharging through a final filter and/or a final settlement tank and a heat regenerator the decontaminated water leaving the electrochemical decomposition reactor,
• a pH adjustment unit consisting of a pH meter disposed downstream of the electrochemical decomposition reactor for measuring the pH of decontaminated water, a controller connected to the pH meter, a reagent container, and a reagent feeder that is disposed upstream of the electrochemical decomposition reactor,
• stop valves known per se, disposed in the pipes that carry the emulsion or the decontaminated water, the stop valves being adapted for preventing or allowing the flow of the emulsion or the decontaminated water.