CA3236642A1

CA3236642A1 - Electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation methods and usesthereof

Info

Publication number: CA3236642A1
Application number: CA3236642A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Antonio Jose Dos Santos Rodrigues; Carlos Miguel MELES FREIRE DE OLIVEIRA
Original assignee: Ventilaqua SA
Current assignee: Ventilaqua SA
Priority date: 2021-10-30
Filing date: 2022-10-31
Publication date: 2023-05-04
Also published as: WO2023073666A1

Abstract

Electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation wastewater treatment or liquid valorisation comprising: a housing, comprising at least two main electrical connectors for supporting a removable cassette module; wherein the cassette comprising: at least two secondary electrical connectors, connected to main electrical connectors by connecting ends; a plurality of electrodes attached to each secondary connector and extending through each secondary electrical connector, wherein said electrodes being spaced apart from one another creating gaps between adjacent electrodes; a holder disposed in said cassette module and extending substantially parallel to the electrodes; a control unit electrically connected to said main electrical connector, said control unit providing a line voltage to said removable cassette through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for treatment within said reaction chamber, wherein each electrode is attached to the secondary electrical connector by a electric conductive clip connector, wherein said connector is configured to support each electrode.

Description

DESCRIPTION
ELECTROCHEMICAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROCOAGULATION
METHODS AND USESTHEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation wastewater treatment or liquid valorisation, in particular the disclosure relates to a electrodes' arrangement (referred as electrodes cassette) and an electric conductive plug-in clip connector for connecting the electrodes to the power supply line.
BACKGROUND

[0002] The current existing solutions on the market are solutions hard wired.
This is accomplished by connecting the monopolar electrode through a screw in a connecting cable or a conductive bar. The Figure 1 illustrates the current typical type of connection used, typically on electrocoagulation systems.

[0003] According to Figure 2, this type of connection could lead to errors on assembling the connections and also require high downtime periods.

[0004] Document KR100470431B1 discloses an apparatus and method for recovering heat from wastewater. This invention forms a contaminant in the wastewater to recover heat by using a flocculation or chemical agglomeration, and the magnetized floc is quickly separated and removed by a magnet, and then effectively recovers heat contained in the treated water through a heat pump. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wastewater heat recovery apparatus.

[0005] Document KR100479646B1 discloses an apparatus and method are characterized in that contaminants of industrial wastewater and metal ions eluted from the anode during electrolysis are combined electrochemically for generating

6 hydrated metallic floc wherein the hydrated metallic floc is magnetized and removed by a magnet. Therefore, both of contaminants and metals of industrial wastewater are removed efficiently.
[0006] Document CN102211801 discloses an electrochemical reaction device for treating high-concentration organic wastewater. The electrochemical reaction device comprises an electrolysis bath and a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of the electrodes are fixedly arranged in the electrolysis bath and are connected with a direct current power supply; electrolyte is filled in the electrolysis bath;
the inner wall of the electrolysis bath is provided with a plurality of necks used for fixing the electrodes; and the separation distances of the electrodes are controlled by selecting the number of spacing necks. The plurality of the electrodes is arranged in an interlaced mode in the electrolysis bath to form a snakelike flow passage in the electrolysis bath.

[0007] Typical existing electrochemical units, mostly industrialized as electrocoagulation reactors, have a rigid permanent fitting for the electrodes in the reactor. Electrodes are connected, directly or through a conductive bar, to the power supply source by screwed wired cables. In electrocoagulation process anode electrodes are dissolute in the solution, thus referred as sacrificial electrodes. This leads to change these electrodes frequently, and consequently to turn off the system for removing the electrodes, cleaning and replace with new electrodes, rewiring them all in the electrocoagulation reactor. This generates a downtime that can exceed a day of operation.

[0008] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0009] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation and electrooxidation wastewater treatment, in particular the disclosure relates to a electrodes' arrangement (referred as electrodes cassette) and a metal clip connector wherein said connector is configured to support each electrode.

[0010] With this disclosure all the changeovers can be done outside the reactor, avoiding manipulation of loads, and all the changeovers can be done in advance by just replacing the electrodes cassette module. In the present solution the electrical connection between the power supply and the electrodes is a plug-in type, just like a clip, avoiding long periods of manual rewiring. This disclosure can reduce an all-day operation downtime to less than an hour.

[0011] The solution of the present disclosure intends to reduce significantly the above-described limitations of the traditional connection type on electrochemical reactors:
downtime periods;
time consumption with electrodes changeover;
errors on electrodes' connection assembling;
possible electrode short-circuits.

[0012] One of the main improvements provided for this disclosure are: plug-in type electrical connection, avoiding screw type connections; the electrode arrangement solution is completely extractable for easy maintenance and electrodes changeover;
the reactor can be easily cleaned without having interference of electrodes support;
the reactor has a special guides design to fix the cassette in the correct position ; the reactor have a diffuser, membrane or coarse bubble, system under the electrodes for cleaning and mixing purposes; the system integrates a self-cleaning electrodes system;
it can use any kind of electrodes material, such as iron, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, carbon, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, coated stable anodes type like DSA
(dimension stable anodes) and Boron diamond dopped (BDD); the system can include a control software based on the power consumption and external sensors for dynamic adjustment, for electrode and energy consumption reduction; it can work with direct or reverse polarity, including automatic timer change protocol; this cassette can have different gaps between electrodes and can be arranged in both monopolar or bipolar electrode configuration.

[0013] Disrupts the industry standard concept of wired-screw connection between power supply lines and the electrodes on electrochemical reactors, including the following processes: electrocoagulation, electroflocculation, electro-oxidation and electrofenton. This invention aims to create a complete plug-in system divided into 2 main sections: the electrodes arrangement (referred as electrodes cassette);
and the plug-in system for connecting the electrodes.

[0014] One of the advantages of the present disclosure is allows to disrupt the industry standard concept of wired-screw connection between power supply lines and the electrode. It also allows to create a complete plug-in system divided in 2 main sections: the group of electrodes (referred as electrodes cassette); and the plug-in system for connecting the electrodes.

[0015] The present disclosure can be used on electro-chemical equipment's of the present disclosure for liquid valorisation or wastewater treatment.

[0016] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation wastewater treatment or liquid valorisation comprising: a housing for defining a reaction chamber, comprising at least two main electrical connectors in the lateral walls of the of the housing for supporting a removable cassette module;
wherein the removable cassette module comprising: at least two secondary electrical connectors disposed in said cassette module, connected to main electrical connectors by connecting ends; a plurality of electrodes attached to each secondary electrical connector and extending through each secondary electrical connector, wherein said plurality of electrodes being spaced apart from one another creating gaps between adjacent electrodes; a holder disposed in said cassette module and extending substantially parallel to the electrodes for removing the cassette module; a control unit electrically connected to said main electrical connector, said control unit providing a line voltage to said removable cassette module through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for electrocoagulation treatment within said reaction chamber; wherein each electrode is attached to the secondary electrical connector by an electric conductive clip connector, wherein said connector is configured to support each electrode and allow an easy change (removal and/or insertion of the new electrode).

[0017] It is also disclosed an electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation wastewater treatment or liquid valorisation comprising: a housing for defining a reaction chamber, comprising at least two main electrical connectors in the lateral walls of the housing for supporting a removable cassette module; wherein the removable cassette module comprising: at least two secondary electrical connectors disposed in said cassette module, connected to main electrical connectors by connecting ends; a plurality of electrodes attached to each secondary electrical connector and extending through each secondary electrical connector, wherein said plurality of electrodes being spaced apart from one another creating gaps between adjacent electrodes; a holder disposed in said cassette module and extending substantially parallel to the electrodes for removing the cassette module; a control unit electrically connected to said main electrical connector, said control unit providing a line voltage to said removable cassette module through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for electrocoagulation treatment within said reaction chamber; wherein each electrode is attached to the secondary electrical connector by an electric conductive clip connector, wherein said connector is configured to support each electrode.

[0018] In an embodiment, the clip connector comprises a slot to attach to each electrode for holding said electrode.

[0019] In an embodiment, metal clip connector may be L-shaped at 90 or linear.

[0020] In an embodiment, said clip connector is made of metal, preferably silver, copper, nickel, mixtures thereof or other electric conductive material.

[0021] In an embodiment, said plurality of electrodes comprises direct or reverse polarity.

[0022] In an embodiment, the plurality of electrodes is arranged to be electrically coupled to voltage line with a direct current or alternate current.

[0023] In an embodiment, said plurality of electrodes are spaced apart from one another with different gaps between electrodes and are arranged in both monopolar or bipolar electrode configuration.

[0024] In an embodiment, the gaps between electrodes ranges from 5 ¨ 150 millimetres, preferably from 5 ¨ 100 millimetres; more preferably from 10 ¨ 50 millimetres; even more preferably from 10 ¨ 40 millimetres.

[0025] In an embodiment, the electrochemical apparatus further comprises a plurality of sensors for dynamic adjustment, for electrode and/or energy consumption reduction, and/or process control.

[0026] In an embodiment, the plurality of sensors is selected from:
temperature sensor, flow sensor, pH sensor, conductivity sensor, turbidity sensor or redox sensor (ORP), or combinations thereof.

[0027] In an embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise an image caption device, preferably a digital camera.

[0028] In an embodiment, the secondary electrical connectors are made of silver, copper and/or aluminium, or mixtures thereof, or other electric conductive material.

[0029] In an embodiment, the electrodes are made of iron, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, carbon, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, coated stable anodes type like DSA
(dimension stable anodes) or Boron diamond dopped (BDD).

[0030] In an embodiment, the secondary electrical connectors are configured to operate independently of the polarity.

[0031] In an embodiment, the housing is made of a non-electric conductive material, in particular polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, or mixtures thereof.

[0032] In an embodiment, the bottom of the housing comprises a plurality of protrusions for positioning the placement of the removable cassette module in the reaction chamber.

[0033] In an embodiment, the apparatus of the present disclosure may further comprise an aeration device for promoting the reaction.

[0034] In an embodiment, the number of the removable cassette module ranges from multiples of 1-18; preferably 1-10; more preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15.

[0035] It is also disclosed a method for assembling the electrochemical apparatus with the housing, the removable cassette module and control unit, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
placing a removable cassette module comprising an attached secondary electrical connector;
connecting the secondary electrical connector to a main electrical connector that is attached to the control unit by connecting ends;
providing a voltage line to said removable cassette module through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for electrocoagulation treatment within said reaction chamber.

[0036] In an embodiment, the voltage line is a power source direct with current (DC) or alternate current (AC).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0038] Figure 1¨ shows a representation of a state-of-the-art electrode connection.

[0039] Figure 2¨ shows a representation of a state-of-the-art current electrode.

[0040] Figure 3 ¨ shows a comparative representation of the prior art connection type (A) with and proof of concept for apparatus of the present disclosure (B).

[0041] Figure 4¨ shows a representation of an electrochemical reactor with 6 cassette modules; wherein 2 represents an electrical connector.

[0042] Figure 5 ¨ shows a representation of a cassette module; wherein 10 represents the electrochemical reactor.

[0043] Figure 6 ¨ shows a representation of an electrical plug-in device;
wherein 3 represents the secondary electrical connector; 1 represents clip for electrodes plug-in.

[0044] Figure 7 ¨ shows a representation of electrodes changeover in the cassette module (outside Electrochemical reactor); wherein 6 represents the removable cassette module and 4 represents the electrodes.

[0045] Figure 8 ¨ shows a representation of the components of the present disclose, wherein: 10 represents the electrochemical reactor; 6 represents the removable cassette module; 2 represents the main electrical connector; 3 represents the secondary electrical connector; 4 represents the electrodes; 1 represents the clip for electrodes plug-in and 5 represents the holder for removing cassette.

[0046] Figure 9 ¨ shows a representation of the plug-in electrode clip prototype detail.

[0047] Figure 10 ¨ shows a representation of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present disclosure with an aeration system and a plurality of protrusions for positioning the placement of the removable cassette module in the reaction chamber.

[0048] Figure 11 ¨ shows a representation of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present disclosure with a plurality of protrusions for positioning the placement of the removable cassette modules in the reaction chamber; wherein 5 represents the holder for removing cassette.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The present disclosure relates to a plug-in device for an electrocoagulation system. In particular, the disclosure relates to a electrodes' arrangement (referred as electrodes cassette) and a plug-in device for connecting the electrodes.

[0050] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises Electrochemical Reactor:
vessel where the electrochemical reaction occurs. It supports the cassette modules.
Includes the hydraulic connections for water input and output, and also the bottom discharge connection for sludge removal and maintenance. It accommodates the mixing and aeration system. The reactor is a monobloc type for easier transport. Can also be installed with or without cover. The construction can be done with non-electric conductive material, like polypropylene, polyvinylchloride or polyethylene or others;

[0051] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises ¨ a removable cassette module that is responsible for holding the electrodes. It can have different distances/gaps between electrodes. It supports the secondary electrical connector.
Construction can be done with non-electric conductive material, like polypropylene, polyvinylchloride or polyethylene or others.

[0052] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises - Main electrical connector: main electrical distributor connector, responsible to transmitting the energy to the individual cassette modules. Can operate independently of the polarity;
material used with very low electrical resistance, like copper/nickel/silver or other.

[0053] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises - Secondary Electrical connector: responsible to distributing energy from the main electrical connector to the individual electrodes on the cassette module. Can operate independently of the polarity; material used with very low electrical resistance, like copper/nickel/silver or other.

[0054] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises - Electrodes:
responsible for the electro chemical reaction which occurs in their surface. The electrodes can be made from several materials, such as iron, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, carbon, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, coated stable anodes type like DSA
(dimension stable anodes) or Boron diamond dopped (BDD).

[0055] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises - Clip for electrodes plug-in:
responsible for the electrical energy transference between the secondary electrical connector and the electrodes. The recommended material used should have greater or similar galvanic corrosion resistance compared with the electrodes. Should have very low electrical resistance, like copper or Nickel.

[0056] In an embodiment, the present discloses comprises - Holder for removing cassette: device that stabilizes the removal operation with a mechanical actuator.

[0057] As illustrated in Figure 8, the present discloses according to an embodiment comprising: a housing 10 for defining a reaction chamber, comprising at least two main electrical connectors in the lateral walls of the of the housing 2 for supporting a removable cassette module; wherein the removable cassette module 6 comprising:
at least two secondary electrical connectors 3 disposed in said cassette module, connected to main electrical connectors by connecting ends; a plurality of electrodes E
attached to each secondary electrical connector and extending through each secondary electrical connector, wherein said plurality of electrodes being spaced apart from one another creating gaps between adjacent electrodes; a holder disposed in said cassette module and extending substantially parallel to the electrodes 4 for removing the cassette module 6; a control unit electrically connected to said main electrical connector 2, said control unit providing a line voltage to said removable cassette module 6 through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for electrocoagulation treatment within said reaction chamber; wherein each electrode 4 is attached to the secondary electrical connector 3 by a metal clip connector 1, wherein said connector is configured to support each electrode.

[0058] This disclosure proposes the gap between electrodes are defined by the type of application and electrochemical process. In the case of electro-oxidation process the gap is defined mostly by the electrical resistivity of the liquid, generally wastewaters, current density and residence time. Regarding the electrocoagulation process the gap is also defined by the same three parameters found in the electro-oxidation process mentioned above, plus the electrode configuration, such as a monopolar or bipolar electrode configuration. Typically, the used gap between electrodes varies in a range of 10 to 40 millimetres. In specific cases the minimal space between electrodes could be 5 millimetres and the maximum of 150 millimetres. The gap between electrodes impacts on the sustainability of the process, assuming a major importance in the industrial viability of the solution. A non-optimized space selection, gap between electrodes, could represent exponential operation costs increase with the error, namely regarding energy and electrodes consumption.

[0059] The electrochemical system is powered by a power source that can supply the electrical requirements. The present disclosure can operate with either direct current (DC) or alternate current (AC). It can operate in a range of 1 volt to 440 volts, however the traditional operation conditions are ranged between 2 to 24 volts. The power supply selection of the system is defined by the electrode gap, electrode configuration (monopolar or bipolar), number of electrodes and the requirement of the current density. Typically, for electrocoagulation process, the continuous or pulsed DC type is used to achieve higher control on the process and also lower energy consumption.

[0060] The present disclosure can operate in a wide value range of electrochemical parameter of current density. The current density operating value is defined by the process requirements, the apparatus of the present disclosure can work between 5 to 2500 A/m2. For electrocoagulation process these values are typically ranged in a lower to middle end scale, depending on the electrode material and process treatment requirements. For electrochemical process most focused on electro-oxidation reaction, the operating values are typically ranged on a lower middle to higher end of the operating scale range.

[0061] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0062] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, descriptive terms, etc., from one or more of the claims or from relevant portions of the description is introduced into another claim. For example, any claim that is dependent on another claim can be modified to include one or more limitations found in any other claim that is dependent on the same base claim.

[0063] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof.

[0064] The above-described embodiments are combinable.

[0065] The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

PCT/IB2022/060484

1. Electrochemical apparatus for electrocoagulation wastewater treatment or liquid valorisation comprising:
a housing (10) for defining a reaction chamber, comprising at least two main electrical connectors in the lateral walls of the housing (2) for supporting a removable cassette module (6);
wherein the removable cassette module (6) comprising:
at least two secondary electrical connectors (3) disposed in said cassette module (6), connected to main electrical connectors by connecting ends;
a plurality of electrodes (4) attached to each secondary electrical connector and extending through each secondary electrical connector, wherein said plurality of electrodes (4) being spaced apart from one another creating gaps between adjacent electrodes (4);
a holder disposed in said cassette module (6) and extending substantially parallel to the electrodes (4) for removing the cassette module (6);
a control unit electrically connected to said main electrical connector (2), said control unit providing a line voltage to said removable cassette module (6) through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for electrocoagulation treatment within said reaction chamber;
wherein each electrode (4) is attached to the secondary electrical connector (3) by an electric conductive clip connector (1), wherein said connector is configured to support each electrode (4).

2. Electrochemical apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein the clip connector (1) comprises a slot to attach to each electrode (4) for holding said electrode.

3. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said electric conductive clip connector (1) is L-shaped at 900 or linear.

4. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said electric conductive clip connector (1) is made metal, preferably silver, copper, nickel, or mixtures thereof.

5. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein plurality of electrodes (4) comprises direct or reverse polarity.

6. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein plurality of electrodes (4) is arranged to be electrically coupled to voltage line with a direct current or alternate current.

7. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said plurality of electrodes (4) are spaced apart from one another with different gaps between electrodes (4) and are arranged in both monopolar and/or bipolar configuration.

8. Electrochemical apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein the gaps between electrodes (4) ranges from 5 to 150 millimetres.

9. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprises a plurality of sensors, for dynamic adjustment, for electrode and/or energy consumption reduction, and/or process control.

10. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims wherein the plurality of sensors is selected from: temperature sensor, flow sensor, pH

sensor, conductivity sensor, turbidity sensor or redox sensor.

11. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims further comprising an image caption device, preferably a digital camera.

12. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein secondary electrical connectors (3) are made of copper, silver, aluminium, or mixture thereof.

13. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein electrodes (4) are made of iron, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, carbon, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, coated stable anodes type like dimension stable anodes or boron diamond dopped.

14. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein secondary electrical connectors (3) are configured to operate independently of the polarity.

15. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the housing (10) is made of a non-electric conductive material, in particular polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, or mixtures thereof.

16. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the bottom of the housing (10) comprises a plurality of protrusions for positioning the placement of the removable cassette module (6) in the reaction chamber.

17. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising an aeration device for promoting the reaction.

18. Electrochemical apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the number of the removable cassette module (6) ranges from 1-18, preferably 3, 6, 9, 15.

19. Method for assembling the electrochemical apparatus with the housing (10), the removable cassette module (6) and control unit according to any one of claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

placing a removable cassette module (6) comprising an attached secondary electrical connector (3);
connecting the secondary electrical connector to a main electrical connector (2) that is attached to the control unit by connecting ends;
providing a voltage line to said removable cassette module (6) through the connecting ends in order to create an electrical field for electrocoagulation treatment within said reaction chamber.