An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.

An electrode for use in bio-electrochemical systems is described, including: a substantially planar electrode material; a frame comprising a non-conductive substance; and one or more first conductive substances linked or secured to the frame. Bio-electrochemical systems, racks for inserting the electrode, and methods of using the racks are also described.

Systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater are provided. By incorporating one or more intermediate phosphate recovery reactors and manipulating the effluent and/or solid streams from those reactors, the systems and methods provide effluent and solid streams having customized phosphate content throughout the wastewater treatment process.

There are provided processes for treating a residual. For example, such processes can comprise treating a mixture comprising the residual, a peracid or source thereof and an ammonium salt in a reactor, with an electric field, by means of at least one anode and at least one cathode that define therebetween an electrokinetic zone for treating the mixture. Such processes allow for inactivation of at least one type of pathogen in the residual so as to obtain a treated residual.

Various methods and systems are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay. In one example, among others, a system for continuous dewatering includes a cake formation zone including a first anode and a first cathode each extending across a first portion of a separation chamber; a cake dewatering zone including a second anode and a second cathode; an inlet configured to supply a dilute feed suspension comprising solids suspended in water to the cake formation zone; and a conveying belt extending between the first anode and the first cathode and between the second anode and the second cathode. A first electric field between the first anode and the first cathode forms a cake on the conveying belt by consolidating the solids, and a second electric field between the second anode and the second cathode dewaters the cake on the conveying belt.

The present invention describes a PEF (pulsed electric field) chamber comprising a PEF treatment tube 2, a casing 3 and at least two electrode 5 units 4, 5, wherein said at least two electrode units 4, 5 are insertable to be fixated in the casing 3 and into the PEF treatment tube 2.

The present invention provides a method for extracting polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which comprises a pre-process step and an extraction step: removing water from waste sludge containing microorganisms in the pre-process step so that the waste sludge containing microorganisms has a water content of less than 40%; and applying a high-voltage pulsed electric field to the waste sludge during the extraction step to destroy the microorganisms and release the PHAs, wherein the high-voltage pulsed electric field is between 50 volts and 400 volts, an application time of the high-voltage pulsed electric field is between 5 seconds and 90 seconds, and an application frequency of the high-voltage pulsed electric field is between 500 Hz and 1000 Hz, thereby extracting the PHAs in the case of few chemicals.

Various examples related to electrokinetic dewatering (EKD) of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay suspensions are provided. In one example, a system for continuous EKD includes cake dewatering unit having a lower conveying belt extending across a dewatering chamber; an upper conveying belt extending across at least a portion of the dewatering chamber; and a sludge inlet configured to supply a sludge suspension on the first end of the lower conveying belt. The conveying belts can extend across the dewatering chamber at an angle. Rotation of the conveying belts draws the sludge suspension through an electric field where the sludge suspension is dewatered. The electric field can be established between an upper anode and a lower cathode. The upper and lower conveying belts can include the anode and cathode. A suspension thickening unit can provide a thickened sludge suspension the cake dewatering unit for enhanced dewatering.

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for removing contaminant ions from water within an aquifer. The devices, systems, methods employ an elecrokinetic driving force to induce the migration of charged species towards electrodes, where they can be concentrated and removed from the aquifer. In this way, the devices, systems, methods described herein can be used to economically remediate groundwater contaminated with charged species.

A wastewater plant and method for treatment of wastewater sludge or other wastewater fluids are described. The wastewater plant utilizes an electrical discharge system configured for receiving a wastewater fluid, and generating a transient voltage and arcing electric current pulse through the received wastewater fluid to create an electro-hydraulic shock wave within the wastewater fluid accompanied by a high electric field, intensive heat and light radiation.