Electrolytic treatment device and method for using same

A method for electrolytically treating an aqueous-based solution comprising contaminants, comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting said aqueous-based solution with a conductive member having an electric potential above ground potential to polarize said aqueous-based solution;
• (b) passing said polarized aqueous-based solution through a first electric field established between a first elongate electrode having a first potential and a second elongate electrode having a second potential that is different from said first potential;
• (c) then passing said aqueous-based solution through a second electric field established between said second elongate electrode and a third elongate electrode, said third elongate electrode having a third potential that is different from said second potential;
• and
• (d) then treating said aqueous-based solution to remove solids therefrom and form a treated solution.

An electrolytic treatment device, comprising:

• (a) elongate housing means having a first end and a second end and having at least two pair of oppositely opposed interior surfaces defining a treatment chamber within said housing means;
• (b) at least two elongate electrode plates secured within said treatment chamber in spaced apart relation and defining at least three elongate channels within said treatment chamber, said electrode plates having first and second ends;
• (c) aperture means located at said first end of said electrode plates, wherein adjacent electrode plates comprise aperture means at opposite ends of said treatment chamber when said plates are secured within said housing to define a continuous flow path for a waste stream such that said waste stream can pass through substantially the entire length of each of said channels;
• (d) means for introducing a waste stream into said treatment chamber;
• (e) means for removing said waste stream from said treatment chamber;
• and
• (f) means for applying voltages to said electrode plates.

An electrolytic treatment apparatus, comprising:

• (a) an elongate conductive conduit;
• (b) elongate housing means in fluid communication with said conduit, said housing means having a first end and a second end and having at least two pair of oppositely opposed interior surfaces defining a treatment chamber within said housing means;
• (c) a plurality of grooves along said opposed interior surfaces adapted to receive and engage electrode plates;
• (d) at least two elongate electrode plates slidably engaged within said grooves in spaced apart relation and defining at least three elongate channels within said treatment chamber;
• (e) aperture means located at one end of said electrode plates, wherein adjacent electrode plates comprise aperture means at opposite ends of said electrode plates when said plates are secured within said housing to define a continuous flow path for a waste stream such that said waste stream can pass through substantially the entire length of each of said channels;
• (f) means for applying voltages to said electrode plates and said conductive conduit;
• (g) means for introducing a waste stream into said treatment chamber from said conductive conduit;
• (h) means for removing said waste stream from said treatment chamber;
• and
• (i) means for separating solids from said waste stream after being treated in said chamber.