Electrolytic process and apparatus for the controlled oxidation of inorganic and organic species in aqueous solutions
First Claim
1. An electrolytic process for oxidizing a species in a dilute aqueous solution, comprising the steps of:
- passing an aqueous feed solution containing said species to be oxidized through a monobed of particulate modified cation exchange material interposed between an anode and a cathode, with said bed of modified cation exchange material in direct contact with both said anode and said cathode;
applying a direct current across the anode and cathode;
contacting said aqueous feed solution with said bed for a time to cause at least a portion of said species to be oxidized by said modified cation exchange material so that said aqueous solution contains said species in an oxidized form; and
recovering the aqueous solution containing said oxidized species.
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Abstract
An electrolytic process and apparatus is disclosed for oxidizing or reducing inorganic and organic species, especially in dilute aqueous solutions. The electrolytic reactor includes an anode and cathode in contract with a packed bed of particulate ion exchange material which establishes an infinite number of transfer sites in the electrolyte to significantly increase the mobility of the ionic species to be oxidized or reduced toward the anode or cathode, respectively. The ion exchange material is cationic for oxidation and anionic for reduction, or a combination of both for special circumstances. Preferably, the ion exchange material is treated to convert a portion of the transfer sites to semiconductor junctions which act as mini anodes, or cathodes, to significantly increase the capacity of the reactor to oxidize or reduce the species to be treated. Exemplary applications for the disclosed electrolytic process and apparatus are the conversion of halides to halous acids in dilute solutions.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An electrolytic process for oxidizing a species in a dilute aqueous solution, comprising the steps of:
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passing an aqueous feed solution containing said species to be oxidized through a monobed of particulate modified cation exchange material interposed between an anode and a cathode, with said bed of modified cation exchange material in direct contact with both said anode and said cathode; applying a direct current across the anode and cathode; contacting said aqueous feed solution with said bed for a time to cause at least a portion of said species to be oxidized by said modified cation exchange material so that said aqueous solution contains said species in an oxidized form; and recovering the aqueous solution containing said oxidized species. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A method for on-site halogen treatment of dilute aqueous solutions used in large volumes in municipal drinking water supplies, water distributors, cooling towers and swimming pools, which comprises adding a halide salt to at least a portion of said aqueous solution, contacting said at least a portion of said aqueous solution containing said halide salt with a monobed of particulate modified cation exchange material interposed between an anode and a cathode of an electrolytic reactor, in which a direct current is applied across the anode and cathode, for a time to cause free radical formation in said modified cation exchange material and oxidation of at least a portion of said halide salt to halous acid by said modified cation exchange material, which halous acid then oxidizes undesirable contaminants in said dilute aqueous solution.
- 27. A method for on-site halogen control of microbiological contamination in dilute aqueous water solutions used in large volumes in municipal drinking water supplies, water distributors, cooling towers and swimming pools, which comprises adding a halide salt to at least a portion of said aqueous solution, contacting said at least a portion of said aqueous solution containing said halide salt with a monobed of particulate modified cation exchange material interposed between an anode and a cathode of an electrolytic reactor, in which a direct current is applied across the anode and cathode, for a time to cause free radical formation in said modified cation exchange material add oxidation of at least a portion of said halide salt to halous acid by said modified cation exchange material, which halous acid then oxidizes undesirable contaminants in said dilute aqueous solution.
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34. A system for on-site halogen treatment of dilute aqueous solutions used in large volumes in municipal drinking water supplies, water distributors, cooling towers and swimming pools, which comprises:
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means for transferring at least a portion of said aqueous solution from its normal flow to a monobed of particulate modified cation exchange material interposed between and in direct contact with an anode and a cathode of a nearby electrolytic reactor; electric means for applying a direct current across the anode and cathode; means for contacting said transferred aqueous solution with said bed to cause at least a portion of halide salt in said aqueous solution to be oxidized to halous acid by said modified cation exchange material; and means for returning said transferred aqueous solution to its normal flow to oxidize undesirable contaminants or control microbiological contamination in said dilute aqueous solution being treated. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification