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US 5,531,865 AGranted
Electrolytic water purification process
OwnerLeland G. Coleinventor
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OwnerLeland G. Coleinventor
Estimating the term…
A method for removing contaminants from a flow of wastewater using an electrolytic oxidation vessel having a chamber and at least one elongate cathode electrode and a plurality of elongate sacrificial anode electrodes aligned parallel with the cathode electrode in the chamber. The flow of wastewater is directed through the chamber of the electrolytic oxidation vessel in a direction parallel with the cathode and anode electrodes so that the flow of wastewater engages the cathode and anode electrodes. A voltage is applied across the cathode electrode and the sacrificial anode electrodes to create a current having a density ranging from approximately 5-7 ma/sq. cm so as to release ions from the anode electrodes which oxidize and render insoluble contaminants in the flow of wastewater and create insoluble contaminants and substantially cleansed water. The insoluble contaminants are separated from the substantially cleansed water. An apparatus for use with the method is provided.
A method for removing contaminants from a flow of wastewater using a purification apparatus which includes conduit means and an electrolytic oxidation vessel provided with a chamber and inlet and outlet fittings in communication with the chamber, the inlet and outlet fittings being coupled to the conduit means, the vessel having at least one elongate cathodic electrode and a plurality of elongate sacrificial anodic electrodes aligned in parallel with the cathodic electrode in the chamber, comprising the steps of directing the flow of wastewater through the conduit means and through the chamber of the electrolytic oxidation vessel in a direction parallel with the cathodic and anodic electrodes so that the flow of wastewater engages the cathodic and anodic electrodes, applying a voltage across the cathodic electrode and the sacrificial anodic electrodes to create a current having a density ranging from approximately 5-50 ma/sq. cm. so as to release ions from the anodic electrodes which oxidize and render insoluble contaminants in the flow of wastewater and create insoluble contaminants and substantially cleansed water, separating the insoluble contaminants from the substantially cleansed water, disconnecting the inlet and outlet fittings of the vessel from the conduit means, selecting another vessel similar to said first named vessel and having inlet and outlet fittings which were hermetically sealed prior to use so as to inhibit corrosion of the anodic electrodes, unsealing the inlet and outlet fittings of said another vessel, coupling the inlet and outlet fittings of said another vessel to the conduit means and repeating said directing, applying and separating steps.
A modular electrolytic oxidation reactor for use in a treatment system which removes contaminants from a flow of wastewater comprising a vessel having an internal chamber and inlet and outlet fittings in communication with the chamber adapted to permit the flow of wastewater to enter and exit the chamber, an electrode assembly carried by the vessel within the chamber including at least one elongate cathodic electrode and a plurality of elongate sacrificial anodic electrodes, connector means carried by the vessel and electrically coupled to the cathodic electrode and the sacrificial anodic electrodes of the electrode assembly for permitting a voltage to be applied across the cathodic electrode and the sacrificial anodic electrodes and first and second removable seal means mounted respectively on the inlet and outlet fittings for hermetically sealing the inlet and outlet fittings prior to installation in the treatment system so as to inhibit corrosion of the sacrificial anodic electrodes prior to installation of the modular reactor whereby the first and second seal means can be removed to permit the modular reactor to be coupled to the treatment system and whereby the modular reactor facilitates replacement of the sacrificial anodic electrodes.
A modular electrolytic oxidation reactor for use in a treatment system which removes contaminants from a flow of wastewater comprising a vessel having an internal chamber and inlet and outlet fittings in communication with the chamber adapted to permit the flow of wastewater to enter and exit the chamber, an electrode assembly carried by the vessel within the chamber including at least one elongate cathodic electrode and a plurality of elongate sacrificial anodic electrodes, connector means carried by the vessel and electrically coupled to the cathodic electrode and the sacrificial anodic electrodes of the electrode assembly for permitting a voltage to be applied across the cathodic electrode and the sacrificial anodic electrodes and first and second removable seal means mounted respectively on the inlet and outlet fittings for hermetically sealing the inlet and outlet fittings prior to installation of the modular reactor in the treatment system so as to inhibit corrosion of the sacrificial anodic electrodes prior to installation whereby the first and second seal means can be removed to permit the modular reactor to be coupled to the treatment system and whereby the modular reactor facilitates replacement of the sacrificial anodic electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.