THE JOULE EP5™ SYSTEM

The Joule EP5™ System consists of a group of devices and equipment that apply advanced technologies based on principles of electrochemistry and physics. These advances were made possible by modern fundamental electronics. The Joule EP5™ System combines these technologies and principles into a practical, compact, easy to use device. This unique design effects treatment of aqueous solutions that are contaminated with a variety of materials including heavy metals, oil, grease, suspended solids, some salts and dissolved solids as well as pathogen organisms and algae.

Our electrochemical process places an electrical charge in the waste fluid. This charge destabilizes the waste fluid, causing the coagulation of many of the dissolved and suspended materials present. Destabilization is the result of the suppression of zeta forces that keep components in the water matrix dissociated. Contaminants are free to associate and coalesce or migrate to areas of high energy near the electrodes. The energized components can then interact with other contaminants, free radicals from hydrolyzed water molecules or electrons flowing through the system. The result is a chemically altered, less soluble product capable of separation from the water.

The Joule EP5™ System utilizes a proprietary and patented system that applies electrochemical energies to an aqueous waste stream. Contaminant-laden water moves through an electric field where treatment is accomplished by the action and interaction of four basic processes:

IONIZATION

Ionization occurs due to the strong attractive forces of the anode and cathode. Alkali metals and halogens are most notably affected. Certain Alkaline earths and transition metals will also readily ionize in a strong electric field. The reaction of these atoms results in separation from the molecule and migration to the electrode or significant bond stretch and subsequent weakening of the covalent forces that hold the molecule together. Weakened bonds are sites for attack by other atoms or species in solution. Regardless of the subsequent interactions between the contaminants, the electrodes, and or the water, ionization effects cause the destabilization of the solution and result in the formation of new compounds after leaving the treatment cell.

ELECTROLYSIS

Electrolysis results in the pulling apart of molecules into their elements, e.g., water into hydrogen and oxygen gasses. Often this action is much more aggressive than ionization and results in ground state atoms. Both organic and inorganic molecules are susceptible to electrolysis in the EC cells. Organic molecules generally require more energy input than inorganic. The hydrolysis of water produces intermediates that are effective in reacting with ionized atoms or attacking the stretched bonds.

FREE RADICAL FORMATION

Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Carbon, and other elements respond to electromagnetic currents to form free radicals. These unstable highly energized atoms are responsible for extremely aggressive compound and complex formation. The occurrence of free radicals is not common in natural waters due to the unusual energy requirements to create the excited state. Free radicals may also attack certain bonds to cause the decomposition of molecules and complexes, and

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

Electromagnetic fields have long been known to affect the electrons in atoms. The very basis of our understanding of atomic structure and chemical reactions was developed with the aid of electromagnetic fields. The shifts in electron position or energy as a response to the electromagnetism will destabilize compounds and complexes within the aqueous medium. Destabilization leads to dissociation and collapse of the chemical equilibrium in the water mixture. Under the influence of the electromagnetic fields, reformation leads to new crystalline development and new complex formation. Transition elements are often the target of this action.

The most concise description of the activity within the Joule EP5™ is the disruption of the status quo to create an energized chaos and the recombination of the elements and compounds to dissipate the added energy.

Flocculation and coagulation are common to all water treatment systems. Chemical treatments generally require two or more additives and are sensitive to timing and mixing. The Joule EP5™ System incorporates an electric current in order to neutralize ionic and particulate charges thereby allowing contaminants such as colloidal particulates, oils and dissolved metals to be coalesced and removed from stable suspensions and emulsions. The principles at play are double layer compression, charge neutralization, bridging/entrapment and increased particle size. The effects are caused by the four basic processes interacting with the suspended or colloidal particles dispersed in the water matrix.

Chemical reactions aid in the purification of water and are traditionally accomplished by addition of chemicals, control of pH, temperature manipulation, biological processing, or some form of energy addition. The Joule EP5™ System accomplishes the same chemical reactions using electrical energy applied at the electrode interface and throughout the solution in the treatment unit. Ion formation, free radical formation, dissociation, hydrolysis and catalyzed complex formation are just a few of the processes that are initiated by the carefully controlled application of electrical energy in the Joule system. Inorganic minerals and compounds are most profoundly affected by these processes and are chemically altered into less soluble species. Organics may also be affected through the changes in atomic bonds either through elongation or bending due to the reaction to the electrical field. The altered bonds are more susceptible to attack by the free radicals in the energized aqueous medium resulting in less complex and more readily processed components.

THE TECHNOLOGY

The Joule EP5™ technology was developed over twenty years of research and development in an effort to minimize and optimize a large number of independent and interdependent variables associated with energy transfer, water chemistry and the phenomena described above. The chief feature of our technology is the trans-channel reaction cell, which generates far more electromagnetic activity per surface than any other cell design.  Next comes the variety of service parameters that can be customized in order to maximize the range of effect on certain components of aqueous solutions. The results of our trials were modeled in a complex system to evaluate the interrelationships and hierarchies of energy transfer that would allow us to interpret reaction sequences. The most prominent parameters evaluated and optimized during this long theoretical and applied empirical evaluation were:

  • Velocity
  • Pressure
  • Temperature
  • pH
  • Ionic strength
  • Conductivity
  • Specific gravity
  • Viscosity
  • Contamination
  • Turbulence
  • Voltage
  • Current
  • Electrode surface area
  • Electrode surface structure
  • Electrode metallurgy
  • Retention time
  • Electrode gap
  • Field intensity
  • Magnetic Field Strength

The result of these efforts is an optimized cell design. Understanding of the importance and the effect on treatment of each parameter allows for the standardization of critical elements in the treatment cell and the ability to adjust the remainder to the components in the waste stream.

Treatment Cells – The cell’s design is determined by the type and amount of contaminants to be treated. Treatment cells consist of sacrificial electrodes that provide most of the treatment chemistry. The number of cells in use is determined by flow demand. Cells can treat 5, 10 or 25 gallons or more per minute and, depending on the waste stream being treated, cell life span will vary anywhere between 120 and 180days treating at a flow rate of 25 GPM. Generally, a pair of cells are required in a series flow to process most waters.

Maintenance and Operation – Each cell is continuously monitored for voltage, current, water flow and temperature by systems within the control panel. These are the basic parameters affecting treatment of the contaminated water. Operating requirements of the system are minimal. The system is self-checking and correcting via the electronic control components. Daily verification is usually sufficient to maintain optimum operating conditions. Many of the system functions can be automated to further reduce personnel time. If the operator wishes, the units can be connected through wireless or hardwire communications to a central control room where monitoring and adjustment of key parameters may be conducted.

Electrical usage is controlled by the contaminants in the water being treated. Very little current flow results when the contamination level is low. This provides an efficient utilization of the energy required by the system. There is little wasted energy in the system.

THE MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF THE JOULE EP5™ SYSTEM

  • Removal of a broad range of both, organic and inorganic contaminates.
  • Little or no pH adjustments required to effect treatment.
  • Toxic trace elements do not tend to leach in an acid environment, i.e.; solids may pass the EPA’s TCLP test.
  • A high degree of contaminant removal is achieved.
  • Floc tends to be stable and settles rapidly.
  • Maintenance and operation are simple.
  • Cost efficient.
  • Odor reduction or elimination due to the oxidation of sulfides
  • Small “footprint”.
  • Growth easy to accommodate.
  • Pathogen removal (E coli to <1/100ml, etc.)
  • Metal removal
  • The system is tolerant to fluctuations, it is capable of handling catastrophic releases of contaminants that would upset a traditional system.
  • Nitrogen is converted to Nitrites and Nitrates rather than Ammonia

MAIN FEATURES OF THE JOULE EP5™ SYSTEM

  • The System is user friendly, requiring minimal supervision, and is available with optional alert alarms for instrument readings found not to be within tolerance.
  • Upgrades to our system can be items such as pH meters with automatic adjustments.
  • Design and manufacturing costs are low when compared to competitive units of similar capacity and water quality.
  • Flow meters can be added to provide accurate measurements of the liquid matrix being delivered to the system, processed, or discharged as treated materials.
  • Ampere and volt DC metering is displayed indicating the DC amps and volts being supplied to each treatment cell with in the unit.
  • Back pressure safeguards alerting the blockage or unexpected wear on the Joule EP5™ system are provided.
  • A back flushing system that allows for self-cleaning of the system on a consistent basis is provided.
  • Automatic shut down of the system in the event of failure of any part of the system.

COSTS

A typical USA water cost diagram has been proposed by U.S. Filter and others. The values represent broad industrial and geographical averages. Costs of $3.00/1000 gallons represent standard chemical/biological treatment for effluent discharge quality water. The Joule EP5™ technology can cut the treatment costs and disposal costs in half ($1.50/1000 gallons). More important is the benefits derived from compliance and the generation of exceptional quality water. In many instances the water may be simply recycled further reducing the costs for acquisition and initial treatment.

SUMMARY

The simplicity of operating a Joule EP5™ system hides the complex reactions that occur within the process. What looks like a pipe, a pump and a power source is in fact the result of years of research, engineering and development. We have designed the Joule EP5™ system to optimize over twenty variables in order to effectively transfer the electrical energy to the continuously flowing contaminated water. Water-contaminant mixtures treated by a Joule EP5™ system will generally separate into an organic rich floating layer, a mineral rich sediment and clean water. This separation occurs within minutes of treatment and conventional equipment may be used to extract the clean water. The lack of major chemical additives protects the potential to derive some benefit from the separated contaminants.

The product of our labor is a device that can be applied to a broad spectrum of water and wastewater treatment systems. The technology is most applicable to separation of inorganic contaminants, biological contaminants, and less than 5% hydrocarbons. Electropurification is not appropriate for solvents, water-in-oil emulsions, sludge, complex amines, sugars or alcohols as a stand alone unit. In combination with other technologies, the end result may be significantly higher quality water for reuse or discharge. The potential for broad applicability regardless of contaminant type has allowed installation at a variety of environmental remediation sites for both surface and groundwater contamination. Electropurification lends itself to treatment of complex mixed wastewater streams and as a pretreatment to increase efficiency of purification and desalination.

We have successfully operated units in a number of different applications. Metal finishing and plating plants are obvious candidates. The US EPA selected the JOULE for use in Superfund Site remediation. Petroleum production and maritime oily wastewater are processed and released free of contamination. Food processing, agricultural run-off and animal wastewater have been successfully treated with the JOULE system and standard filtration technology. Reductions in heavy metals, oil and grease, COD, BOD, TSS, TDS, Color, Turbidity, FOG, SAAM, TKN, Sulfide, Sulfate, and Phosphate are common.

We encountered a side benefit from the electric treatment of water, pathogen reduction. Various electrocoagulation devices utilized in Europe, Russia, and South America were designed specifically for this purpose. We have successfully treated animal and human wastewater removing chemical and biological contaminants. Tests confirm the destruction of Coliform bacteria, flagellates, helminthes adults and eggs, infective parasite larvae, and enteric viruses.