Device for electrical treatment of liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (D, D') for electrical treatment of a liquid, characterised in that it comprises - a chamber in which a liquid to be treated is deposited or circulates and which accommodates an anode (7) and a cathode (1) which is surrounded by: an ion-conducting, organic or mineral first layer (2) which is in direct contact with the cathode and which is in the form of a gel or paste or non-metallic solid, which layer is electron accepting or not and reacts with the OH- ions or absorbs the OH- ions; a second layer (3) which is an organic or mineral porous support; a third layer (4, 5, 6) which is an anionic or cationic membrane, the anode (7) being separated from the third layer (4, 5, 6) surrounding the cathode (1) by a hollow volume in which the liquid to be treated circulates.

Description

LIQUID ELECTRO-TREATMENT DEVICE

[0001] SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of liquid treatment by electro-treatment.

[0003] DESCRIPTION OF EARLIER ART

[0004] In prior art there exists a plurality of processes and devices for treating water or liquids by electrolysis.

[0005] However, these devices have several drawbacks, including:

[0006] - Hydrogen production with a risk of explosion if this hydrogen is not ventilated or diluted with plenty of air

[0007] - Increase in the pH of the water or liquid to be treated due to the production of OH- ions at the cathode, hence: Scale deposit on the plates (electrodes) of the electrolyzer and inside the pipes and equipment in which the fluid to be treated circulates; Need to use acidic products for cleaning the electrodes and for descaling the water pipes and heat exchangers.

[0008] - Significant oxygen production at the anode.

[0009] - The need to frequently use saline solutions to produce oxidants

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Based on this situation, the applicant conducted research with the following objectives:

[0012] – To produce oxidants (gaseous chlorine and its derivatives, bromine and its derivatives, hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives) by electrolysis without the release of hydrogen and without increasing the pH and / or alkalinity of the electrolyte,

[0013] - To eliminate, by electrolysis, deposits (metallic deposits and / or scale deposits, limescale deposits) formed inside pipes and equipment through which the electrolyte circulates,

[0014] - To prevent by electrolysis the formation of deposits (metallic deposits and / or scale deposits, limescale deposits) inside pipes and equipment through which the electrolyte circulates.

[0015] This research led to the design and implementation of the invention consisting of the device as defined by the attached claims.

[0016] According to the invention, the device for electro-treating a liquid is remarkable in that it comprises

[0017] - a chamber in which a liquid to be treated is placed or circulates, and which houses an anode and a cathode, the latter of which is not in direct contact with the liquid to be treated,

[0018] - the cathode is surrounded by a plurality of successive layers including:

[0019] A first layer in direct contact with the cathode and which is in the form of a gel or paste or non-metallic solid, ionically conductive, of organic or mineral type, receiving electrons or not and which reacts with OH- ions or which absorbs OH- ions;

[0020] A second layer which is a porous support of organic or mineral type,

[0021] A third layer which is an anionic or cationic type membrane

[0022] The anode is separated from the third layer surrounding the cathode by a hollow volume in which the liquid to be treated circulates.

[0023] The anode and cathode are powered by direct current and voltage,

[0024] The anode is connected to the positive terminal of the generator and the cathode is connected to the negative terminal of the generator.

[0025] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the material of the first layer is in the form of a gel and / or paste and / or solid.

[0026] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the material of the first layer is an electron receiver.

[0027] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the material of the first layer is made from potato starch and / or corn and / or cassava.

[0028] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the material of the first layer contains salts based on chloride or bromide or iodide or sulfate or nitrate.

[0029] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the material of the first layer contains an element chosen from the following list:

[0030] sodium chloride,

[0031] potassium chloride,

[0032] ammonium chloride,

[0033] zinc chloride,

[0034] copper chloride.

[0035] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the material of the first layer contains manganese dioxide.

[0036] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the material of the first layer is of the organic and / or mineral type.

[0037] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the porous support constituting said second layer is in an organic and mineral type material.

[0038] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the third layer comprises a portion of cationic membrane and a portion of anionic membrane.

[0039] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the said membrane is reinforced.

[0040] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the membrane is reinforced by one of the following materials: polyethylene terephthalate known as PET, polytetrafluoroethylene known as PTFE, polyamide PA, polyetheretherketone known as PEEK.

[0041] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the second layer, formed by the wall of a porous support, forms a container open at the top and receiving in its hollow volume the material of the first layer as well as a portion of the cathode, another portion of which emerges from said volume.

[0042] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the upper part of said container is closed by a lid (9).

[0043] According to another particularly advantageous feature, said lid is impermeable to the liquid to be treated and / or to the ions present in the liquid to be treated.

[0044] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the said lid is traversed by the said cathode.

[0045] According to another particularly advantageous feature, said container is formed of walls whose outer surface is covered with said third layer.

[0046] According to another particularly advantageous feature, said container comprises vertical walls covered with the third layer formed by a portion of cationic membrane and a portion of anionic membrane.

[0047] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the third layer comprises, along its length, an anionic part and a cationic part.

[0048] According to another particularly advantageous feature, said cathode is made of graphite.

[0049] According to another particularly advantageous feature, the cathode is made of titanium.

[0050] According to another particularly advantageous feature, said cathode is coated with a catalyst.

[0051] According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, said catalyst is chosen from mixed oxides of ruthenium and iridium, iridium, ruthenium, tantalum, platinum.

[0052] This device offers the following advantages:

[0053] No hydrogen production,

[0054] No production of OH- ions in the liquid being treated,

[0055] No increase in the pH of the liquid being treated.

[0056] Little to no oxygen production,

[0057] Decrease in the pH of the liquid to be treated by production of H3O+ (H+) ions,

[0058] Reduction of the alkalinity of the liquid being treated,

[0059] Removal of metallic deposits and scale and limescale deposits formed inside pipes and equipment through which the electrolyte or fluid to be treated circulates,

[0060] Prevention of the formation of metallic deposits and scale and limescale deposits inside pipes and equipment through which the electrolyte or fluid to be treated circulates,

[0061] No use of saline solution.

[0062] The applications of such an invention are numerous; a non-exhaustive list is as follows:

[0063] In the aeronautical and space sector, the device can be an on-board module for treating water intended for human consumption and wastewater from aircraft or a ground-based module for treating aircraft water;

[0064] In the maritime field, the device can be a module for treating water intended for human consumption, wastewater, engine cooling water, ship ballast water or a ground-based module for treating said ship water;

[0065] In the industrial sector, the device can be a cooling water treatment module, an industrial process water treatment module, or a water treatment module for water intended for human consumption;

[0066] In the domestic field, the device can be a module for treating drinking water in general, intended for human consumption, wastewater or a module for treating water from swimming pools and / or aquatic basins;

[0067] In the field of computer science, the device can be a cooling water treatment module for data centers or hardware necessary for the operation of artificial intelligence, including sea and ocean water;

[0068] In the field of nuclear and thermal power plants, the device can be a cooling water treatment module for nuclear and thermal power plants.

[0069] The fundamental concepts of the invention having been set forth above in their most elementary form, other details and characteristics will become clearer upon reading the description that follows and in view of the attached drawings, which give, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of a device according to the invention.

[0070] This is a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of an electrolysis device according to the invention;

[0071] This is a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of an electrolysis device according to the invention.

[0072] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0073] As illustrated in Figure 1, the electrolysis device referenced as a whole comprises an enclosure 8 in which an electrolysis chamber is provided. This chamber defines a volume into which the liquid to be treated (electrolyte) is poured.

[0074] This chamber houses a cathode 1 and an anode 7. They are powered by a direct current and voltage supplied by a generator (not shown). The anode 7 is connected to the positive terminal of the generator, and the cathode is connected to the negative terminal of the generator.

[0075] The liquid can flow freely on both sides of the anode 7.

[0076] Cathode 1 is not in direct contact with the liquid and is surrounded by a plurality of layers.

[0077] This cathode 1 is made of graphite, coated or uncoated with a catalyst; titanium, coated or uncoated with a catalyst; or other metals, coated or uncoated with catalysts. The catalyst can be, for example, mixed oxides of ruthenium and iridium, iridium, ruthenium, tantalum, or platinum.

[0078] The material 2 which forms a first layer, surrounds the cathode 1 and is a gel and / or paste and / or solid (non-metallic, ionically conductive, of organic and / or mineral type, electron acceptor or not, able to react with OH- ions or able to absorb OH- ions)

[0079] It is contained in container 3, which consists of a porous support of organic and / or mineral type that forms a second layer.

[0080] The third layer is formed by at least one membrane.

[0081] Membrane 4 is a cationic or anionic membrane.

[0082] Membrane 5 is an anionic or cationic membrane.

[0083] Membrane 6 is a cationic or anionic membrane

[0084] The anode 7 is separated from the third layer surrounding the cathode by a hollow volume or space in which the liquid to be treated circulates.

[0085] Anode 7 is made of graphite, coated or uncoated with a catalyst; titanium, coated or uncoated with a catalyst; or other metals, coated or uncoated with catalysts. The catalyst can be, for example, mixed oxides of ruthenium and iridium, iridium, ruthenium, tantalum, or platinum.

[0086] Support 9 is impermeable to the liquid being treated and / or to the ions present in the liquid being treated. It seals container 3.

[0087] According to one embodiment, membranes 4 and 5 are identical.

[0088] According to another embodiment, membranes 5 and 6 are identical.

[0089] According to another embodiment, membranes 4, 5 and 6 are identical.

[0090] According to another feature of the invention, membranes 4, 5 and 6 can be membranes reinforced with PET, PTFE, PA, PEEK, or other.

[0091] According to another feature of the invention, the gel and / or paste and / or solid 2 is made from potato starch and / or maize starch and / or cassava starch.

[0092] According to another feature of the invention, the gel and / or paste and / or solid 2 contains salts based on chloride or bromide or iodide (for example: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, zinc chloride, copper chloride) or sulfate or nitrate.

[0093] According to another feature of the invention, the gel and / or paste and / or solid 2 contains manganese dioxide.

[0094] As illustrated in Figure 1, the electrolysis device referenced D' as a whole comprises a housing 8 in which an electrolysis chamber is provided. This device differs from the previous one in that this chamber defines a volume through which the liquid to be treated passes, entering through the inlet 10 and exiting, once treated, through the outlet 11.

[0095] It is understood that the device described and illustrated above was done so for the purpose of disclosure rather than limitation. Of course, various adjustments, modifications, and improvements may be made to the examples above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Device (D, D') for the electro-treatment of a liquid CHARACTERIZED IN THAT it comprises: - a chamber in which a liquid to be treated is disposed or circulates and which accommodates an anode (7) and a cathode (1) which is not in direct contact with the liquid to be treated; - the cathode (1) is surrounded by a plurality of successive layers comprising: A first layer (2) in direct contact with the cathode and which is in the form of a gel or paste or non-metallic solid, ionically conductive, of organic or mineral type, accepting or not accepting electrons and which reacts with OH- ions or which absorbs OH- ions; A second layer (3) which is a porous support of organic or mineral type; A third layer (4, 5, 6) which is an anionic or cationic type membrane. The anode (7) being separated from the third layer (4, 5, 6) surrounding the cathode (1) by a hollow volume in which the liquid to be treated circulates.The anode and cathode being supplied with direct current and voltages, the anode (7) being connected to the positive pole of the generator and the cathode (1) being connected to the negative pole of the generator. Device (D, D') according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the material of the first layer (2) is in the form of a gel and / or paste and / or solid. Device (D, D') according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the material of the first layer (2) is an electron receiver. Device (D, D') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the material of the first layer (2) is made from potato starch and / or maize starch and / or cassava starch. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the material of the first layer (2) contains salts based on chloride or bromide or iodide or sulfate or nitrate. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the material of the first layer (2) contains an element selected from the following list: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, zinc chloride, copper chloride. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the material of the first layer (2) contains manganese dioxide. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the material of the first layer is of the organic and / or mineral type. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the porous support constituting said second layer (3) is in an organic and mineral type material. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the third layer (4, 5, 6) comprises a portion of cationic membrane and a portion of anionic membrane. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said membrane (4, 5, 6) is reinforced. Device (D, D') according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the membrane is reinforced by one of the following materials: polyethylene terephthalate called PET, polytetrafluoroethylene called PTFE, polyamide PA, polyetheretherketone called PEEK. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the second layer consisting of the wall of a porous support forms a container open at the top and receiving in its hollow volume the material of the first layer as well as a portion of the cathode, another portion of which emerges from said volume. Device (D, D') according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the upper part of said container is closed by a lid (9). Device (D, D') according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said cover is impermeable to the liquid to be treated and / or to the ions present in the liquid to be treated. Device (D, D') according to claim 14 or 15, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said cover (9) is traversed by said cathode (1). Device (D, D') according to claim any one of claims 13 to 16, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said container is formed of walls whose outer surface is covered with said third layer. Device (D, D') according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said container comprises vertical walls covered with the third layer formed by a portion of cationic membrane and a portion of anionic membrane. Device (D, D') according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the third layer comprises in its lengthwise an anionic part and a cationic part. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said cathode (1) is made of graphite. Device (D, D') according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said cathode (1) is made of titanium. Device (D, D') according to claim 20 or 21, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said cathode (1) is coated with a catalyst. Device (D, D') according to claim 22, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said catalyst is selected from mixed oxides of ruthenium and iridium, iridium, ruthenium, tantalum, platinum.

Images