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Title: Three dimensional electrode for the electrolytic removal of contaminants from aqueous waste streams

Patent ·
OSTI ID:874035

Efficient and cost-effective electrochemical devices and processes for the remediation of aqueous waste streams. The invention provides electrolytic cells having a high surface area spouted electrode for removal of heavy metals and oxidation of organics from aqueous environments. Heavy metal ions are reduced, deposited on cathode particles of a spouted bed cathode and removed from solution. Organics are efficiently oxidized at anode particles of a spouted bed anode and removed from solution. The method of this inventions employs an electrochemical cell having an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment, separated by a microporous membrane, in and through which compartments anolyte and catholyte, respectively, are circulated. A spouted-bed electrode is employed as the cathode for metal deposition from contaminated aqueous media introduced as catholyte and as the anode for oxidation of organics from contaminated aqueous media introduced as anolyte.

Research Organization:
Eltron Research, Inc., Boulder, CO
DOE Contract Number:
FG03-97ER82363
Assignee:
Eltron Research, Inc., Boulder, CO
Patent Number(s):
US 6298996
OSTI ID:
874035
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (1)

Spouted bed electrowinning of zinc: Part II. Investigations of the dynamics of particles in large thin spouted beds journal February 1997