Rotating Electrode Turboelectric Coagulation Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrodes in electrocoagulation reactors often experience scaling and metal coating issues, reducing their effectiveness over time, which necessitates the development of a method to clean and maintain the electrode surfaces during the water purification process.
Innovation Solution
An electrocoagulation apparatus featuring rotatable and stationary planar electrodes with a spindle system that rotates the electrodes to recirculate water, allowing for continuous exposure to the electrocoagulation process while an insoluble abrasive material removes scale deposits, and an electric current is applied to facilitate contaminant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrodes are made stationary in electrocoagulation reactors, then the reactor structure is simpler, but the electrode surfaces accumulate scale and deposits over time reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming stationary electrodes into rotatable electrodes that can rotate about their axes. This rotational motion prevents scale and deposit accumulation on electrode surfaces, maintaining electrode effectiveness without requiring complex cleaning mechanisms. The rotatable electrodes are driven by spindles that can rotate them at controlled speeds while they remain positioned within the treatment chamber.
2Reliability
If electrodes are rotated to prevent scaling, then electrode effectiveness is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the rotatable electrodes to serve multiple functions: they perform electrocoagulation treatment while simultaneously preventing scale accumulation through rotation. The same electrode structure that generates electrochemical reactions also rotates to maintain surface cleanliness, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrocoagulation function with the scale-prevention function into a single integrated electrode system. The rotatable electrodes combine the electrochemical treatment capability with the mechanical rotation capability, so that one component performs both the contaminant removal and the self-cleaning functions that would otherwise require separate systems.
3Productivity
If larger stationary plate systems are used to treat water, then treatment capacity is sufficient, but the reactor volume is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using rotatable electrodes that enhance mass transfer and contaminant removal efficiency through their rotational motion. This dynamic action increases the treatment rate per unit volume, allowing a smaller reactor to achieve the same productivity as a larger stationary system. The rotation creates turbulence and improves contact between the electrocoagulation products and contaminants.
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
The apparatus effectively cleans electrodes and enhances contaminant removal efficiency by continuously exposing water to the electrocoagulation process, enabling a smaller reactor to treat the same volume of water as larger stationary plate systems and maintaining electrode effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
anode material will electrochemically corrode
Implementation Method 2
Treatment of wastewater by electrocoagulation has been practiced for about 100 years
Implementation Method 3
liquid adhesion and viscosity directs the fluid toward the periphery as the disks are rotated
Implementation Method 4
liquid adhesion and viscosity directs the fluid toward the periphery
Implementation Method 5
an insoluble abrasive material removes scale deposits
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for removing contaminant species from water by electrocoagulation are described. Alternating grounded, rotating, planar circular electrodes and stationary planar electrodes function as a Tesla fluid pump when placed in contact with the contaminated water, causing the water to flow between the rotating and stationary electrodes. An insoluble abrasive material introduced into the water removes scale from the electrodes while the water is pumped thereby. A direct electric current is caused to flow between each pair of rotating and stationary electrodes, thereby producing electrocoagulation of the contaminants in the water flowing therebetween. The electrocoagulated materials may be separated from the treated water by filtration or by permitting the treated water to stand for a chosen period.