System for simultaneous elimination of orthophosphate and ammonium using electrolytic process

An electrolytic system for treating wastewater by electrocoagulation, electroflotation or a combination of both, the electrolytic system comprising:

• a first electrolytic reactor adapted for receiving the wastewater to be treated, the first electrolytic reactor comprising at least one cathode and at least one anode to perform a first electrolytic treatment for eliminating organic matter and calcium present in the wastewater that impact on nucleation of struvite;
• a first decanter downwardly connected to the first electrolytic reactor for separating solid/liquid fractions;
• a second electrolytic reactor downwardly connected to the first electrolytic reactor, the second electrolytic reactor comprising at least one cathode and at least one magnesium anode to perform a second electrolytic treatment for producing Mg2+ ions which react with NH4+ and orthophosphates from said wastewater to form a struvite precipitate;
• and
• a second decanter downwardly connected to the second electrolytic reactor for isolating the struvite precipitate from the wastewater;
• whereby, in use, the electrolytic system allows eliminating simultaneously orthophosphate and ammonium from the wastewater while enabling the production of struvite.