Introduction

Many wastewater contaminants are held in solution due primarily to electrical charges. Bacteria, algae, oils, clays, carbon black, silica, phosphate, nickel, lead, chromate and other ions, are only some examples. Neutralization of these charges and the subsequent precipitation of these contaminants can be achieved either by chemical or by electrochemical means. ELECTROCOAGULATION systems have been employed for years in the treatment of wastewater. Most rely upon high voltages to produce a strong electromagnetic field in order to disrupt the attraction of the particles, allowing suspended contaminants to precipitate.

In the past, these systems have shown good contaminant removal compared to chemical precipitation, nevertheless, higher capital and operation costs, along with lower flow rates, have reduced the use of these systems. In today’s environment, chemical addition is becoming less acceptable due to more stringent regulations. Solid residues are classified as hazardous and treatment levels are more difficult to achieve. Lower operating costs, higher flow rates and better knowledge of the process have moved ELECTROCOAGULATION to the forefront of water treatment technologies.

The Joule EP5™ System

 

The Joule EP5™ consists of a group of devices and equipment that apply advanced technologies based on principles of electrochemistry and physics. These advances were made possible due to modern fundamental electronics. The Joule EP5™ combines these technologies and principles into a practical, compact, easy to use device. Our 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.

The Joule EP5™ Unit utilizes a proprietary, patent-pending system that applies electrochemical energies to an aqueous waste stream. Contaminant-laden water moves through an electric field where treatment is accomplished by:

  • Ionization
  • Electrolysis
  • Free Radical Formation and
  • Electromagnetic Fields

Flocculation

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 System consists of a series of treatment cells containing electrodes of varied metals. As water penetrates these cells, multiple processes apply. First, the electromagnetic force overcomes the Stern’s force disrupting the p-orbits and thus shears the molecules. Secondly, the principal cathodic reaction is the reduction of hydrogen ions to hydrogen gas as well as the reduction of the valence states of any dissolved metals, allowing them to complex. The anode releases metallic ions into the solution liberating oxygen gas. The combination of phenomena results in newly formed compounds that precipitate as complex molecules. Sludge generated by ELECTROCOAGULATION tends to be acid resistant and similar to enriched metal ores; easy to separate and de-water. Floc formed by ELECTROCOAGULATION is similar to chemical floc except for the fact that, ELECTROCOAGULATION floc, tends to be more stable. Joule EP5™ treated wastewater may be managed in conventional separation and de-watering equipment.

Emulsions

It is common knowledge that oil and water don’t mix and that oil, having a lower specific gravity, will float on water. Mechanical agitation will shear the oil-water interface, creating small oil droplets, which become dispersed in the water phase. Since systems drift towards a lower energy state, these droplets moving around as a result of convection, will coalesce, forming successively larger droplets, and eventually settle (or float) out of suspension. In the presence of surfactants, which gravitate toward the oil-water interface, a thin molecular coating is adsorbed onto the surface of the oil droplet, resulting in such a polarization, that the droplets will repel each other and remain in a dispersed state. The smaller the droplet, the greater the surface area; thus the tendency is to form a stable dispersion or emulsion. The mechanism by which an electromotive force reduces the main stabilizing force of an emulsion is known as electrostriction. Under the influence of the electromagnetic field, the adsorbed ions, supplied by the surfactant, giving the oil droplet its surface charge are less tightly held, and respond by moving over the droplet surface. This surface ion migration results in the formation of a dipolar charge on the oil droplets which now can agglomerate under the force of mutual electrostatic attraction. Additionally, the dipolar droplets moving towards oppositely charged electrodes and in opposite direction can now collide and agglomerate until reaching a point where buoyancy overcomes their repulsive forces. The system is now ready for conventional oil-water separation.

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, 25 or any amount of gallons per minute and, depending on the waste stream being treated, cell life span will vary anywhere between 30 and 180days treating at a flow rate of 25 gallons per minute.

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.

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 no wasted energy.

Major Advantages

The Major Advantages of the JOULE ELECTROCOAGULATION System are as follows:

  • 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 illegal or catastrophic releases of toxics that normally would upset a bio-based system.
  • Nitrogen is converted to Nitrites and Nitrates rather than Ammonia.

Main Features

The MAIN Features of the Joule EP5™ System are as follows:

  • 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 technologies 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 ELECTROCOAGULATION unit.
  • Back pressure safeguards alerting the blockage or unexpected wear on the ELECTROCOAGULATION 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.

The Joule EP5™ system provides the customer with a cost effective, flexible, simple operating and maintenance system that produces quality water capable of being, in many cases reused by Industry.