Electrocoagulation through the Powell Water Systems reaction chamber produces several distinct electrochemical results independently. These observed reactions may be explained as:
A. Seeding resulting from the anode reduction of metal ions that become new centers for larger, stable, insoluble complexes, that precipitate as complex metal oxides
B. Emulsion breaking resulting from the oxygen and hydrogen ions that bond into the water receptor sites of oil molecules creating a water in soluble complex separating water from oil, driller’s mud, dyes, inks, etc.
C. Halogen complexing as the metal ions bind themselves to chlorines in a chlorinated hydrocarbon molecule resulting in a large insoluble complex separating water from pesticides, herbicides, chlorinated PCB’s, etc.
D. Bleaching by the oxygen ions produced in the reaction chamber oxidizes dyes, cyanides, bacteria, viruses, biohazards, etc.
E. Electron flooding of the water eliminates the polar effect of the water complex, allowing colloidal materials to precipitate, and the increase of electrons creates an osmotic pressure that ruptures bacteria, cysts, and viruses
F. Oxidation - Reduction reactions are forced to their natural end point within the EC chamber which speeds up the natural process of nature that occurs in wet chemistry
G. EC induced pH swings toward neutral.
The process is optimized by controlling reaction chamber materials (iron, aluminum, titanium, graphite, etc.), amperage, voltage, flow rate, and the pH of the water. The technology handles mixed waste streams (oil, metals, and bacteria), very effectively. Variables such as temperature and pressure have little effect on the process. The best way to understand what will happen with a specific water is to test that water in the EC reaction chamber.
The electrocoagulation process has been successfully used to:
· Harvest protein, fat, and fiber from food processor waste streams.
· Recycle water, allowing closed loop systems.
· Remove metals, and oil from wastewater.
· Recondition antifreeze by removing oil, dirt, and metals.
· Recondition brine chiller water by removing bacteria, fat, etc.
· Pretreatment before membrane technologies like reverse osmosis.
· Precondition boiler makeup water by removing silica, hardness, TSS, etc.
· Recondition boiler blow down by removing dissolved solids eliminating the need for boiler chemical treatment.
· Remove BOD, TSS, TDS, FOG, etc., from wastewater before disposal to POTW, thus reducing or eliminating discharge surcharges.
· De-water sewage sludge and stabilize heavy metals in sewage, lowering freight and allowing sludge to be land applied
· Condition and polish drinking water
· Remove chlorine and bacteria before water discharge or reuse
The operating costs of electrocoagulation vary dependent on specific water treated. For example, municipal sewage water was treated for $0.24/1,000 gallons, and steam cleaner water containing crude oil, dirt and heavy metals was treated for $0.05/gallon.
