PROCESS FOR SEWAGE WATER PURIFICATION

Abstract

Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The water is then continuously oxidized with chlorine electrolytically to destroy the nitrogen compounds.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a water purification apparatus and process in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and process for the purification of water in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross section of an embodiment of an electrolytic cell.

FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a horizontal cross section of an alternate embodiment of an electrolytic cell.

FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the purification of contaminated waste, comprising; (a) an electrolytic cell,(b) an entry port below the electrolytic cell,(c) an upper section above the electrolytic cell including an air sparger and an outlet,(d) a closed draining space adjacent to the upper section comprising means for separating water and impurities, and(e) a re-circulating pump connecting the outlet to the entry port of the electrolytic cell,

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for separating water from impurities comprises an inclined bottom basin sloping away from the upper section further comprising, (i) a purified water outlet at the lower end of the inclined bottom opposite the upper section;(ii) a recirculating outlet located above the purified water outlet; and(iii) an exit port located above the recirculating outlet,

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for separating water from impurities comprises an inclined bottom basin sloping away from the upper section further comprising a filter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises a rotary vacuum filter, a filter press, conveyor belt vacuum filter, a sand filter or a centrifuge filter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper section is conical in cross section.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise iron, magnesium, aluminum and their alloys.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the polarity of the electrodes are cycled continuously.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the frequency of cycling the polarity of the electrodes is between about 1 change per 1 second and about 1 change per 10 minutes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a chlorinator.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the chlorinator comprises, (a) an electrolytic cell comprising, (i) one or more anodes;(ii) a porous diaphragm surrounding the anodes;(iii) a cathode surrounding the porous diaphragm; and(iv) means for directing the flow of fluids towards the anode,

11. A water purification process comprising: (a) passing contaminated water in a generally vertically upward direction through an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes surrounded by a moving bed of solid, non-conductive particles to form a hydrophobic floc comprising purified water, water, impurities and suds;(b) directing the floc to a closed chamber directly connected to an upper end of the electrolysis chamber;(c) separating the impurities, suds and water from the purified water;(d) recirculating a portion of the water from the closed chamber to the electrolytic cell;(e) removing the impurities and suds from the closed chamber; and(f) removing the purified water from the closed chamber;

12. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the upward velocity of the water is partially accomplished by re-circulation of the water through the cell.

13. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the non-conductive particles have a specific density greater than that of the contaminated water.

14. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the free falling velocity of the particles is greater than the upward velocity of the water.

15. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the purified water is further chlorinated.

16. The water purification process of claim 11, the polarity of the electrodes being alternated by applying a direct current voltage.

17. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the contaminated water is directed through the moving bed by pressure.

18. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the solid non-conductive particles are granite particles.

19. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the frequency in change of polarity ranges from about 1 change per second to about 1 change per 10 minutes.

20. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein the change of polarity has the same duration.

21. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein additional soap solution is added to the water to be purified.

22. The water purification process of claim 11, wherein micro bubbles are produced utilizing the change in pressure due to a re-circulation pump.

23. A chlorination system comprising, one or more anodes;a porous diaphragm surrounding the anodes;a cathode surrounding the porous diaphragm;means for directing the flow of fluids towards the anode; andmeans for preventing the backflow of fluids out of the cell,

24. The chlorination system of claim 23, further comprising a non-conductive separator spaced between the anode and the porous diaphragm and surrounding the anodes.

25. The chlorination system of claim 23, wherein the anode comprises carbon, titanium covered with platinum, titanium covered with ruthenium oxide, or other non corrodible elements.

26. The chlorination system of claim 23, wherein the means for directing the flow of fluids towards the anode is a porous diaphragm having a non-permeable bottom and an open top.

27. The chlorination system of claim 23, wherein the means for preventing the backflow of fluids is a check valve, ball valve, or gate valve.

28. A water chlorination process comprising, (a) flowing a water stream in an upward direction into an electrolytic cell comprising an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a porous diaphragm;(b) concentrating chloride ions in the water in the anode compartment via electrodialysis; and(c) accumulating hydrochloric acid in the anode compartment.

29. The water chlorination process of claim 28, further comprising (a) intermittently diffusing the hydrochloric acid from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment through the porous diaphragm.