Electrocoagulation Electrode with Internal Gas Conduit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrocoagulation methods for water treatment, particularly for produced water, face inefficiencies due to electrode passivation, leading to increased power consumption and reduced pollutant removal effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The development of electrodes with a conduit and distribution openings, where air is injected to prevent passivation, allowing for efficient pollutant removal with lower power consumption, involves the use of metal or metal alloy electrodes in electrochemical cells, specifically designed to minimize passivation by ensuring air flow through the electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional electrodes are used in electrocoagulation, then the treatment process is simple, but electrode passivation occurs leading to increased power consumption and reduced pollutant removal effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant removal efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is segmented into multiple functional zones with distribution openings that allow gas permeation. This segmentation prevents passivation by creating multiple active surfaces and enabling gas flow through the electrode structure, thereby maintaining high pollutant removal efficiency while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Gas is introduced through the electrode structure to prevent passivation. The pneumatic flow through the distribution openings maintains electrode activity by removing accumulated pollutants and preventing surface deactivation, which reduces the energy required for continuous effective treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If electrodes with conduit and distribution openings are used, then power consumption and passivation are reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode anti-passivation performanceVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode serves multiple functions: it conducts electricity for electrocoagulation, provides structural support, and acts as a gas distribution medium. By integrating these functions into a single component with conduit and distribution openings, the design achieves reliable anti-passivation performance without requiring separate gas delivery systems, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit is nested within the electrode structure, with distribution openings formed as integral features of the electrode body. This nested design allows the gas delivery system to be incorporated within the electrode itself rather than as an external addition, maintaining structural integrity while preventing passivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the cross-sectional area of distribution openings is kept small (not more than 5% of conduit area), then gas distribution is improved, but the opening size becomes very limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas distribution uniformityVSAvoidopening size constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying solely on the cross-sectional area of individual openings, the design distributes numerous openings across the electrode surface area. This dimensional approach allows each opening to remain small (≤5% of conduit area) for uniform gas distribution, while the collective effect of multiple openings provides sufficient total gas flow and maintains ease of manufacture through standardized opening patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design enhances pollutant removal efficiency while reducing power consumption and electrode passivation, resulting in a more cost-effective and efficient water treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

The conduit allows for flow of a fluid, such as but not limited to air, into the access opening(s) and out through the distribution opening(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

Electrocoagulation is a method combining electrochemistry, coagulation and flocculation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrocoagulation:

Implementation Method 3

Electrocoagulation is a method combining electrochemistry, coagulation and flocculation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemistry:

Data Source

PatentUS11161759B2Electrocoagulation cell design

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 QATAR UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention encompass electrodes, electrochemical cells, electrocoagulation systems, and methods using the electrodes, electrochemical cells, electrocoagulation systems. The electrodes may be used in electrocoagulation cells and/or systems to treat water.