Methods and apparatuses for treatment of contaminated liquid are provided including an integrated ultra-
filtration and clarification apparatus, and an optional integrated
electrocoagulation capability. The integrated apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-
filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank.
Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated
solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-
filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters. The integrated apparatus can be incorporated within any desired liquid treatment facility, and one combination in accordance with this
system of the present invention includes an upstream
electrocoagulation unit and a downstream
reverse osmosis unit. The
electrocoagulation function may be incorporated in the tank by a plurality of reaction plates or blades mounted to the interior sidewall of the tank. Additionally, the integrated apparatuses may include bacterial treatment in which a selected group of micro-organisms are introduced into the apparatus for treatment of particular contaminates. Solids recovered from the integrated apparatus include a certain percentage of water that are removed from the solids in a downstream
filter press and
clarifier. The removed water can be returned back to the upstream electrocoagulation device to minimize
wastewater which otherwise would need to be removed in
settling ponds. One embodiment of the
system may include dual integrated ultra-filtration and
clarifier apparatuses and corresponding electrocoagulation units.