| abstract |
PROCESS FOR CONTINUOUS CATALYZED ELECTROCHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION OF SOLUBLE ORGANICS IN WATER, PARTICULARLY OF UREA IN URINE, IN A DIRECT CURRENT ELECTROLYSIS CELL HAVING AN ANODE AND A CATHODE IN A SINGLE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER OR URINE TO BE PURIFIED IS FLOWED INTO THE CELL, AND THE CONCENTRATION OF CL- ION IS ADJUSTED AS DESIRED WITHIN A CERTAIN RANGE. A CATALYST IN THE FORM OF BR- ION IS ADDED AND VOLTAGE IS APPLIED ACROSS THE ELECTRODES CAUSING OXIDATION OF THE BR- ION TO BR2 AND THE CL- ION TO CL2 WHICH IN TURN OXIDIZE THE ORGANIC MATERIAL IN THE WATER, FOR EXAMPLE UREA IN URINE, TO N2 AND CO2 GASES, AND ARE AT THE SAME TIME REDUCE BACK TO THE BR- AND CL- IONS RESPECTIVELY. THIS CYCLE OPERATES CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL ALL OF THE ORGANIC MATERIAL IS OXIDIZED. THE PROCESS IS USEFUL FOR PURIFICATION OF URINE, SECONDARY EFFLUENT WASTE WATER, PURIFICATION OF SWIMMING POOL WATER AND DRINKING WATER, ETC. |