Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Processes and products – Electrostatic field or electrical discharge
Patent
1993-03-12
1994-07-12
Niebling, John
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Processes and products
Electrostatic field or electrical discharge
204228, 204229, 204231, 204272, 204273, 204275, C02F 1461
Patent
active
053285743
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a process for water treatment by electrolysis, particularly for decarbonizing water, as well as an apparatus for carrying out this process.
Among the various water treatments aiming at decarbonization, different processes and electric apparatuses based on electrolysis of water are already known. In such known electrolysis apparatuses an electric current passes by ionic conduction within the water between two electrodes, i.e. an anode connected to the positive pole of a mains supply and a cathode connected to the negative pole of this mains. The electrolysis of the water causes, at the cathode, the nucleation of calcium carbonate formed from the calcium bicarbonate present in the water, then its crystallization and consequently its neutralization.
In presently known apparatuses for electrolysis of water which are utilized for decarbonization of water, the potentials of the electrodes resulting from the flow of electrical current through the water by ionic conduction are not correctly utilized and are not adjusted and controlled in relation to the solvent represented by the water.
In particular, these apparatuses do not take into account the characteristics of the electrodes or the redox potentials of the water which determine its stability. This leads to phenomena which inhibit the nucleation of the calcium carbonate, corrosion phenomena and/or furring or deposits at the location of the electrodes of the apparatus as well as downstream of these apparatuses. Moreover, since the operation of these apparatuses is not regulated relative to the water, it is impossible to obtain the yields estimated by theory.
The present invention aims at overcoming these disadvantages by providing a process and an apparatus enabling the neutralization of hardness in water in a particularly economical, reliable and permanent manner.
To this end, this process for water treatment by electrolysis, particularly for decarbonizing water, in which an electric current is passed through the water by ionic conduction between an anode and a cathode connected, respectively, to the positive and negative poles of an electric control device is characterized in that a metal is chosen for the cathode whose redox potential, which constitutes a reference potential remaining substantially constant relative to the water during the electrolysis, is greater than the effective reduction threshold of the water so as to prevent the reduction of this water and during electrolysis the OH.sup.- ions required for the nucleation of the calcium carbonate are produced exclusively from the dissolved oxygen in the water.
Another object of the invention is an apparatus for the treatment of water by electrolysis for the purpose of decarbonizing the latter having an electrolytic cell and an electric control device. The electrolytic cell has a tank to which are connected a feed pipe for the treated water and an outlet pipe for the treated water, at least one anode being engaged in the tank, characterized in that the tank constitutes the cathode of the electrolytic cell and is constructed of a metal whose redox potential is greater than the effective reduction threshold of the water.
Various embodiment forms of the present invention are described in the following by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the attached drawing:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view in vertical section of an electrolytic tank which can be used for implementing the water decarbonization process according to the invention;
FIG. 2 it a wiring diagram of the electric control device of the electrolytic tank according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal and vertical section of a constructional variant of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line IV--IV in FIG. 3 of the constructional variant shown in the latter;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another constructional variant of the invention.
The electrolysis apparatus shown in FIG. 1 substantially includes an electrolytic cell A and an electric control device B. The electrolytic cell A has a
REFERENCES:
patent: 3706646 (1972-12-01), Gibson, Jr. et al.
patent: 3871989 (1975-03-01), King
patent: 3964991 (1976-06-01), Sullins
patent: 4734176 (1988-03-01), Zemba, Jr. et al.
Niebling John
Phasge Arun S,.
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