Electrolytic Device for Contaminant Removal and Method

A contaminant removal method using an electrolytic device comprising a housing including at least first and second adjacent liquid flow-through channels, each channel having first ends and second ends, an inlet adjacent the upstream end of each channel and an outlet adjacent the downstream end of each channel, said first ends being adjacent to each other and said second ends being adjacent to each other;

• a first barrier impermeable to ion flow and to bulk liquid flow disposed between said first and second channels;
• a first electrode assembly disposed adjacent to both said first ends in electrical communication with said first and second channels;
• and a second electrode assembly adjacent to both of said second ends of said first and second channels in electrical communication with said first and second channels;
• said method comprising flowing a first aqueous stream including contaminants to the inlet of said first channel and therethrough to the outlet thereof while passing a current between said first and second electrode assemblies to remove contaminants from said first aqueous liquid stream;
• flowing said first aqueous liquid stream from said first channel, with or without further treatment, to said second channel inlet therethrough to the outlet thereof while passing current between said first and second electrode assemblies to remove further contaminants from said first aqueous liquid stream.