Coaxial Electrocoagulation Electrodes with Axial Wave Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The contamination of the anode in electrocoagulation systems reduces the efficiency of wastewater treatment, as it leads to rapid accumulation of contaminants, increased electricity consumption, and frequent adjustments to maintain process efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of coaxial tubular metal electrodes with different electronegativities and the introduction of axial waves produced by vane-shaped brushes, which prevent the break-up of coagulated flakes and promote their accumulation on the anode, reducing contamination and maintaining a clean electrode surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the anode is used as an active electrode to produce metal ions for coagulation, then the electrocoagulation process is effective in removing contaminants, but the anode becomes contaminated and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the electrode system into two separate functional parts: the anode (sacrificial electrode made of iron or aluminum) and the cathode (non-sacrificial electrode made of more electronegative material). This segmentation allows the anode to perform its coagulation function while the cathode remains clean and can be used to clean the anode surface, resolving the contradiction between maintaining treatment efficiency and preventing contamination accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-cleaning of the anode by using the cathode as a cleaning tool. The cathode, being made of a more electronegative material, does not wear during cleaning and can effectively remove contaminants from the anode surface through mechanical action, allowing the system to maintain its own performance without external intervention.
2Quantity of substance
If the anode surface accumulates contaminants, then coagulation capacity increases, but electricity consumption increases and process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements periodic cleaning cycles where the cathode is used to clean the anode surface at regular intervals. This periodic action removes accumulated contaminants before they can cause excessive electricity consumption and efficiency loss, while still allowing sufficient contaminant accumulation for effective coagulation during the treatment phases.
3Reliability
If mechanical cleaning methods are used to clean the anode, then electrode surface is restored, but the method complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode serves dual functions: it acts as the negative electrode for electrocoagulation and simultaneously serves as the cleaning tool for the anode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning devices or complex cleaning mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining electrode cleanliness and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the efficiency and consistency of wastewater treatment by reducing electricity consumption, minimizing the need for frequent adjustments, and ensuring continuous operation with improved water purification and reduced power usage.
Implementation Method 1
At the anode, the electrolytic cell produces metal ions. These ions act as coagulants for the impurities in the wastewater.
Implementation Method 2
At the cathode, the electrolytic cell produces a gas, usually hydrogen gas. The gas provides a buoyant effect for the resulting flakes, which are then mechanically separated from the water.
Implementation Method 3
These ions act as coagulants for the impurities in the wastewater. The gas provides a buoyant effect for the resulting flakes, which are then mechanically separated from the water.
Implementation Method 4
producing axial waves in the wastewater along the inner surface of the outer electrode intermittently, wherein the mechanical production of axial waves is produced by rotation of a ring provided with vane-shaped brushes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for removing contaminants from wastewater by means of electrocoagulation, the method comprising the steps of: passing the wastewater to be purified through an electrolytic cell that is provided with two metal electrodes with different electronegativities, consisting of coaxial pipes wherein the inner pipe comprises the more electronegative electrode, performing electrolysis between the two electrodes, such that the more electronegative electrode, which does not wear in a cleaning process, is used to produce hydrogen gas and hydroxyl ions from water, and that the less electronegative electrode, which is an active, wearing electrode in a cleaning process, is used to produce metal ions in a solution to be cleaned, to produce an electric field in the electrolytic cell, whereby desired redox reactions take place to isolate one or more contaminants from the wastewater in the form of flakes, directing the wastewater with said flakes from the electrolytic cell to a separation device for flakes and purified water, and intermittently producing axial waves in the wastewater along the inner surface of the outer electrode to prevent contamination or poisoning of the electrodes.