Abstract:
An apparatus to treat an influent solution comprising ions to obtain a selectable ion concentration in an effluent solution. The apparatus comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a housing comprising first and second electrodes. A water-splitting ion exchange membrane is between the first and second electrodes, the membrane comprising ananion exchange surface facing the first electrode, and an cation exchange surface facing the second electrode, or vice versa. The housing also has an influent solution inlet and an effluent solution outlet with a solution channel that allows influent solution to flow past both the anion and cation exchange surfaces of the water-splitting ion exchange membrane to form the effluent solution. A variable voltage supply is capable of maintaining the first and second electrodes at a plurality of different voltages during an ion exchange stage.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus suitable for use in the treatment of liquid 31, comprising a high voltage electric discharge device 8 with spaced apart first second electrodes 24,25. The discharge device has electrical power supply control means 13 for applying a series of high voltage pulses across said first and second electrodes 24,25 50 as to produce an extended area electrical discharge in an electric discharge zone 37 extending between said first and second electrodes. The apparatus also has a gas delivery means 14-18,29 for feeding a series of bubbles 36 of gas into the liquid in said electric discharge zone. The present invention also provides methods of producing an electrical discharge in a liquid and of decontaminating water and other liquids using the apparatus of the invention.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a novel method for treatment of wastewater containing organic contaminant materials by oxidatively decomposing the contaminant materials by a radical reaction involving hydroxyl radicals. The method comprises passing the wastewater through a wastewater treatment conduit (6) comprising a straightly tubular member (6) and a radical generating part consisting of a truncated pyramidal or conical tubular member (1) having an inner surface layer of titanium dioxide to serve as a positive electrode and connected to the upstream end of the straightly tubular member and a negative electrode rod (4) coaxially held relative to the truncated tubular member and applying a pulsed DC voltage having a rectangular wave form at a specified frequency. The efficiency of wastewater treatment can be improved by providing an ultrasonic part consisting of a truncated tubular member similar (7) to the above and connected to the downstream end of the straightly tubular member and an ultrasonic vibrator (8) mounted thereon to emit pulsed ultrasonic waves.
Abstract:
A system that allows the flexibility of primary and secondary treatment of municipal sludge, paper-pulp sludge, animal and plant waste, whereby the treatment thereof via electroporation may be used either as the primary dewatering treatment, secondary dewatering treatment, direct WAS-treatment, and combinations with other conventional dewatering techniques, in order to provide the municipal treatment plant, or the paper-pulp treatment plant, with the most cost-effective and efficient system as possible. The electroporated-treated sludge releases hitherto unreleased biosolids exiting from the PEF-electroporation system, which are returned to aeration tanks. The electroporation process causes the release of intracellular dissolved/organic matter, which is used as nullfoodnull for the bacteria of the aeration tanks.
Abstract:
Highly oxidative water containing ozone and/or OH radicals dissolved in a large amount is prepared by dissolving an oxygen rich gas at high pressure in water and then the pressure is lowered to form fine bubbles in water from the dissolved oxygen rich gas and the fine bubbles are exposed to pulse discharge. Method of and apparatus capable of forming highly oxidative water containing ozone or OH radicals at high concentration exhibiting an oxidizing performance at a level sufficient to practical use with excellent power efficiency and productivity by discharge in water.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a pulsed electric-field system, apparatus and method for the effective disinfecting and dewatering previously-dewatered, biologically active waste-water sludges (e.g., municipal waste-water sewage sludge) in an efficient manner, so as to dramatically reduce the resulting volume of the inert waste material which has to be disposed of by the municipality. The method employed sequentially consists of hydraulically pressurizing the previously dewatered sludge, pre-heating the previously dewatered sludge to a predetermined temperature range, exposing the previously dewatered sludge to a high energy pulsing electrical discharges, pressure separation of the resulting solids and liquid fraction, and final pressure extrusion of the separated solids through nozzles.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for preserving fluid foodstuffs, and more particularly, is directed to such methods and apparatus for extending the shelf life of perishable fluid foodstuffs such as dairy products, fruit juices and liquid egg products, which are growth media for microorganisms. The present invention is also directed to preserved liquid foodstuffs which have extended shelf life.
Abstract:
A method of removing liquid from a suspension by concurrently subjecting the suspension to the action of a pulsed electrical field and optionally a concurrent sonic or ultrasonic field so as to remove liquid from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a liquid removal chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to the liquid. The sonic or ultrasonic field may then be optionally applied to the suspension concurrently with the pulsed electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause liquid to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and liquid to migrate toward the permeable electrode. Liquid is then removed through the permeable electrode. The method requires less energy to remove a unit of liquid, has a more advantageous rate of liquid removal and achieves a lower moisture content than if a steady electrical field is applied.
Abstract:
An electrolysis water purification system employs a fixed magnitude ionization current source the output of which is effectively pulse-width modulated, by controlled switching of the connection of the current source to the ionizing electrodes. As a consequence, ion production can be controlled as a percentage of water flow time (the period during which the filtration pump is operating) and is evenly distributed throughout the water to be purified. The output of a DC power supply is coupled through a controlled switching circuit to the ionizing electrodes. The controlled switching circuit includes a presettable timer-controlled switch that operates under the control of clock generator and establishes the duty cycle of the supply of ionizing current to the electrodes. The output of the presettable timer-controlled switch is coupled through a timer-controlled polarity reversing circuit to the ionizing electrodes. The polarity reversing circuit serves to periodically reverse the current flow through the ionizing electrodes to ensure uniform wear of the electrodes and automatic cleaning of the deposits off the electrodes.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for dewatering sludges and the like as part of landfill operations by electrokinetic techniques including placing anode and cathode electrode modules in contact with the sludge and applying electrical energy to the electrodes to establish an electric field in the sludge. Charged particles within the sludge, including macro-molecules, colloids, and suspended particles, elecrophoretically migrate to the oppositely charged counter electrode and consolidate. A filtration media located at one of the electrodes permits the electro-osmotic removal of water from the sludge to encourage solids densification. The electrical energy applied to the electrodes is a chopped, time-varying, intermittent unidirectional current having a rapid rise edge which provides dewatering results comparable to prior methods that used direct current or full AC current but at substantially reduced energy consumption to provide more economical dewatering. Presently preferred optimum conditions for practicing the invention are also disclosed, including means for applying the techniques of the disclosure to a continuous dewatering method and an apparatus for practicing that method.