# US 4,399,020 A · Device for waste water treatment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,399,020 A - Document ID: US4399020A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/286,551 - Filed: 1981-07-24 - Granted: 1983-08-16 - Earliest claimed: 1981-07-24 - Assignees: Diamond Shamrock Corporation - Inventors: Kenneth J. Branchick; Irving Malkin; Robert C. Sutter; Karel A. Korinek; Mary R. Suchanski; Donald M. Knaack; Gary F. Platek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399020A ## CPC - C02F 1/4678: {of metals} - C25C 7/00: Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells (for the production of aluminium C25C3/06 - C25C3/22) - C02F 1/001: {Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance (C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00)} - C02F 2001/46138: {Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating} - C02F 2001/46157: {Perforated or foraminous electrodes} - C02F 2001/46161: {Porous electrodes} - Y10S 204/13: Purification and treatment of electroplating baths and plating wastes - Y10S 588/90: Apparatus - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - C25C: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract This invention is directed to a membrane or diaphragm-free electrolytic cell device for removal of a metal(s) present as a contaminant(s) in waste water comprising a nonconductive cell box having an upper peripheral flange, anode and cathode bus bars located on said cell box below said flange, inlet and outlet means to pass the liquid through the electrodes contained in said box, means to space the anodes and cathodes contained within said cell box, a plurality of anodes having openings to permit the flow of waste water therethrough, a plurality of reticulate cathodes, and means connecting the anodes and cathodes, respectively, to said bus bars and to a source of electrical energy whereby the metal contaminant(s) present in such water are deposited on the reticulate cathodes predominantly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A membrane or diaphragm-free electrolytic cell for removal of a metal(s) present as a contaminant(s) in waste water comprising a nonconductive cell box having an upper peripheral flange, anode and cathode bus bars located on said cell box enternally of the cell box, and below said flange, box inlet and outlet means to pass the liquid through electrodes contained in said box, means to space anodes and cathodes contained within said cell box one from the other, a plurality of reticulate cathodes, and means connecting the anodes and cathodes, respectively, to said bus bars and the bus bars to a source of electrical energy whereby the metal contaminant(s) present in such water are deposited on the reticulate cathodes, the spacers being electrically non-conductive and being at least one of peripheral protrusions vertically along the sides of the box and along the bottom of the box, bars affixed to upper surfaces of the anodes and having at least two tongues extending vertically downward along surfaces of the anodes, and snaps affixed to the anodes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said reticulate cathodes is comprised of an organic polymer foam substrate containing an electroless then electrolytic deposit of metal or alloy thereof on and within the pores of said foam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An electrolytic cell as in claim 2 wherein said metal deposit is copper. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An electrolytic cell as in claim 2 wherein said metal deposit is nickel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An electrolytic cell as in claim 2 wherein a plurality of said anodes and a plurality of said cathodes are arranged in alternating manner within said cell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein said cathode substrate is polyurethane foam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said anodes is a dimensionally stable anode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An electrolytic cell as in claim 7 wherein the dimensionally stable anode has a titanium substrate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said anodes is lead. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said anodes is graphite. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said anodes is comprised of an organic polymer foam open cell substrate having mostly interconnecting pores upon which there is deposited electrolessly then electrolytically a metal or alloy thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein said connecting means include terminal connectors connecting each anode with an anode bus bar located on one side of said cell box and each cathode with a cathode bus bar located on another side of said cell box. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An electrolytic cell as in claim 12 wherein each anode and cathode has a conductive contact bar with extension in contact with its upper portion, each said contact bar extension resting on said cell box upper peripheral flange. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An electrolytic cell as in claim 1 wherein said means to space is comprised of a plurality of individual nonconductive spacers.