Process and apparatus for the electro-chemical treatment of water contaminated with emerging contaminants

An electrolytic reactor for treating wastewater, comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a closed end having an inlet,
• an open end, opposite to the closed end, forming an aperture and having at least one outlet adjacent the aperture, and
• a peripheral wall extending from the closed end to the open end;
• and
• an electrode assembly configured to be inserted into the enclosure through the aperture and to seal the aperture to form the electrolytic reactor, the electrode assembly comprising;
• a first group of N electrodes operatively connected to a first current distribution circuit;
• and
• a second group of N electrodes operatively connected to a second current distribution circuit;
• wherein:
• N is an integer greater than or equal to 3;
• the 2N electrodes of the first and second groups are configured to extend from the open end towards the closed end of the enclosure inside the enclosure;
• the first and second current distribution circuits are each configured to be operatively connected to an electric power supply, the N electrodes of the first group forming anodes and the N electrodes of the second group forming cathodes, and vice versa, according to a polarity of the current provided to the first and second groups of electrodes;
• and
• the inlet being configured to be fluidly connected to a pump for circulating the wastewater inside the enclosure from the inlet to the at least one outlet of the reactor.