Apparatus and method for eliminating hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide, and other sulfhydryl compounds from gas and/or liquids

Abstract

An apparatus that functions as an influent multiple passage reactor adaptable to simultaneously carry out a series of functions including effluent contaminant dissociation and molecular oxidation utilizing electrolytic and catalytic reactions is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a concentric outside that may be constructed of an electrically conductive material to serve as a first electrode. A smaller second concentric electrode mounted inside the outside housing may serve as a first cathode, with a third but smaller concentric electrode mounted inside the first cathode serving as a second anode, with yet a fourth but even smaller concentric electrode mounted inside the second anode serving as a second cathode and thereof (with additional anode/cathodes further included as desired). Between each electrode an influent passageway is formed with the series of electrodes and passageways stabilized by two slotted end caps which also serve to seal the apparatus housing. When DC current is supplied from a power source to a corresponding influent containing sodium chloride, reactive oxygen and chloride species are produced.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating gas and/or liquid, the apparatus comprising: an outside housing that houses a series of porous, concentric electrode tubes; a series of porous, concentric electrode tubes each having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the series of electrode tubes consists of alternating anode and cathode tubes; a space between adjacent electrode tubes that allows passage of the gas and/or liquid along the length of the electrode tubes; a porous inline electrode tube that forms the center of the series of the electrode tubes, wherein the porous inline electrode tube is less porous than the series of electrode tubes surrounding the porous inline electrode tube; optionally, a top flange and a bottom flange; a top end cap on one end of the outside housing and a bottom end cap on the other end of the outside housing; an inlet through the bottom end cap and through the optional bottom flange that is in fluid communication with the inline electrode tube; an outlet through the top end cap and through the optional top flange that is in fluid communication with the inline electrode tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode tubes comprise titanium.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anode tubes are made of titanium mesh.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cathode tubes are made of mixed metal oxide coated titanium mesh.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixed metal oxide coated titanium mesh is coated with RuO.sub.2, IrO.sub.2, PtO.sub.2, or a mixture thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top end cap and/or the bottom end cap includes one or more passageways for securing an electrical connection to each of the electrode tubes.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gasket between the top flange and the top end cap and a gasket between the bottom flange and bottom end cap.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outside housing functions as an anode.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outside housing is a concentric tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the space between adjacent electrode tubes is about 1 mm to about 2 meters.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode tubes are essentially cylindrical.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top endcap comprises a series of slots that receive the top end of each of the electrode tubes and the bottom endcap comprises a series of slots that receive the bottom end of each of the electrode tube, thereby retaining in place the series of electrode tubes such that each of the electrode tubes of the series is substantially parallel to all other electrode tubes of the series.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top end cap and the bottom end cap are made of material that is substantially non-conductive such that the top end cap and bottom end cap function as electrical isolators between the series of electrode tubes and an outer housing that houses the series of electrode tubes.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom endcap and/or the top endcap comprises a secondary outlet coupled to a pressure relief valve for alleviating pressure build up in the apparatus, wherein the pressure relief valve may optionally be in communication with a carbon filter.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the space between adjacent electrode tubes is substantially the same between all adjacent electrode tubes in the series of electrode tubes.

16. A method for treating gas comprising: feeding a gas and/or liquid comprising H.sub.2S, FeS, and NaCl into the inlet of the apparatus of claim 1; applying a power source to the apparatus, which converts NaCl into O.sub.3, Cl.sup.−, ClO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O.sub.2, which react with the H.sub.2S and FeS, thereby reducing the amount of H.sub.2S and FeS in the gas and/or liquid.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the gas and/or liquid comprises sulfate reducing bacteria and applying the power source to the apparatus lysis the sulfate reducing bacteria.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the gas and/or liquid is petroleum wastewater and/or natural gas.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1: illustrates a perspective outside view and the configuration of the outside housing and its exterior components.

(2) FIG. 2: illustrates a perspective view of the endcaps' slotting arrangement for the formation and configuration of the internal passageways.

(3) FIG. 3: illustrates an internal perspective view of the internal electrodes, their configuration and placement within the outer concentric housing.

(4) FIG. 4: illustrates and provides a perspective view of the stacking of the electrodes within the outer housing.

(5) FIG. 5: illustrates and provides a perspective view of the last or center electrode incorporating perforations.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(6) Described herein are systems and methods for the production of reactive oxygen and chlorine species utilizing a multiple electrode and passageway apparatus adaptable to simultaneously carry out a series of functions.

(7) The present invention explanation begins with FIG. 1 and where an electrolytic reactor consists of a concentric or tubular outside housing 102 constructed of an electrical conductive material with this outside tube also serving as a first electrode, or as related to the present invention, a first uncoated anode. In the preferred embodiment, the outside tube 102 is constructed of uncoated titanium which is electrically conductive while also being corrosion resistance as demonstrated recently during a field test. Field testing showed the titanium tubular housing was deterrent to mineral or scale buildup.

(8) The diameter of the outside tube 102 is scalable and can be constructed in various diameters and lengths ranging from one to sixty inches in diameter and up to twenty feet tall to accommodate a desirable influent flow rate and whereby, the tubular housing 102 can be positioned to work in series or in parallel with other housings as dictated by an individual flow rate or application.

(9) Incorporated as parts of the outside tube 102 are two opposing flanges, with one flange considered a top flange 112 with a second flange considered a bottom flange 118 which are attached to the housing by a weld means or the flanges can be attached by threads. Both flanges incorporate a series of mounting holes 124 which are utilized by a series of fasteners 126 which are used to secure endcaps 114 and 120 to the outside tubular housing with one of the fasteners used to secure an electrical connection to the outside housing.

(10) Placed between each flange and endcap mating surface are gaskets 122 used to provide a water tight seal between adjoining surfaces on flange 112 and 118 and endcaps 114 and 120 when bolted tightly together. The material used for gaskets 122 should be chemical and temperature resistance such as if using neoprene rubber.

(11) Both endcaps 114 and 120 act as isolators and therefore, are require to be constructed of a non-conductive material such as ABS® or PVC® or the endcaps can be constructed of any type of nonconductive materials.

(12) Both endcaps provide an opening for the acceptance and discharge of an influent, inlet 130 allows influent entry while outlet 132 allows the discharge of influent from the housing. The inlet or outlet size is somewhat limited based on the diameter of a last or center electrode. For an example, if the last electrode in the series of electrodes is one inch in diameter then the openings in the endcap must be in compliance to prevent influent bi-passing of the last electrode. However, in applications where the inlet and outlet diameter size are larger due to overall scale of the system, then the inlet and outlet opening sizes can be increased as long as they do not exceed the outside diameter of the last electrode.

(13) FIG. 2 provides a perspective housing end view with an endcap removed, the internal system is composed of a series of internal electrodes and whereas, a second electrode 204 is smaller in size to allow mounting inside the outer housing 102, with this electrode serving as the first coated cathode. This first coated cathode 204 mounts in such to create gap spacing 234 between the first and second electrodes, (102 and 204). This first gap spacing also provides electro isolation between the electrodes pairing with spacing also utilized as an internal passageway 234 for transiting influent.

(14) The second electrode 204 is constructed of titanium mesh coated with ruthenium. Mesh construction allows horizontal influent flow while simultaneously allowing the influent to transit vertically through the housing. This method allows the influent in most cases a longer residence time required to evolve certain electrolytic or catalytic reactions required to produce reactive oxygen or chlorine species used in the remediation of H.sub.2S, FeS and also, to aid in the cellular lysing of sulfate-reducing bacteria and other slim forming microorganisms.

(15) A third electrode 206 mounts inside the inner diameter of the first anode 204 and serves as a second anode. This third electrode is constructed of uncoated titanium mesh to once again provide both vertical and horizontal influent flow while transiting through gap spacing 236. Gap spacing 236 is created between electrodes 204 and 206 and also serves as a second vertical passageway for traversing influent.

(16) A forth electrode 208 is mounted inside the inner diameter of the second anode and serves as a second cathode and with this electrode also constructed of ruthenium coated titanium mesh. Gap spacing 238 is created between electrodes 206 and 208 which again serve as the third vertical passageway for transiting influent.

(17) A fifth electrode 210 is mounted inside the inner diameter of the second cathode and serves as a third anode with this electrode also constructed of uncoated titanium however, the last inline electrode in the series is required to restrict vertical and horizontal influent flow prior to exiting the system. The last in line electrode is constructed of perforated tubing instead of mesh with the perforated openings approximately one quarter the size of the openings found in the mesh.

(18) Gap spacing 240 is also created between electrodes 208 and 210 which again serves as a forth passageway for transiting influent.

(19) Gap spacing between each electrode pairing which form's the internal influent passageways can range in size from approximately 0.025 cm to 12.7 cm. These passageways are stabilized by a series of slots located in the end caps. The slots should be interface upwards towards the interior of the housing with the slots equally space a part as to not create an electrical imbalance between the series of electrodes as electric will always follow a path of least resistance. Further, the endcaps also serve to seal the concentric housing and its internal components.

(20) To those skilled in the art, an unlimited number of electrode pairings can be installed to form influent passageways with the number electrode pairings and passageways only limited by the diameter of the outside housing.

(21) In reference to FIG. 3 which provides a surface perspective view of the end caps and the incorporation of a threaded surface for the mounting of a pressure relief valve, the positioning of the inlet or outlet and the placement of through holes in the endcaps which are utilized to make electrical connection to the electrodes.

(22) Endcaps 114 and 120 provide a series of slots, 302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 which are used to secure the placement of the internal electrodes within the housing.

(23) The slots countersunk into the endcaps should range in depth from between a quarter to around a half inch with the width of the slot depend on the thickness of the electrode material used in order to provide electrode stability once mated to the endcap.

(24) At least one endcap must provide a series of openings, 316, 318, 320, 322 and 323 to allow electrical connections made to the series of internal electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, a thread stud is installed or welded to the internal electrodes in which passes through and extends out passed the exterior surface of the end cap, in such that an electrical connection is easily made to the electrodes.

(25) The endcap located at the top end of the housing provides a threaded opening 342 for the acceptance of a pressure relief valve which is utilized to off-gas hydrogen, oxygen or any other gases generated by the electrolytic reactions. Gasses typically will accumulate at the top of the housing and exit the housing with the discharged influent 330 however; some of the gases trap and eventually start to build pressure within the housing if not evacuated.

(26) In the preferred embodiment, the pressure relief valve is adjustable to allow low pressure settings for gas evacuation with its location positioned such that it mounts inside the diameter of the outer housing.

(27) Now in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 which provides a perspective view of the electrode stacking order once mounted inside the outer housing and the configuration of the last inline or center electrode 210. With the acceptation of the outer housing, electrodes 204, 206 and 208 are constructed from titanium mesh 450 with electrodes 204 and 208 coated with a ruthenium mixed metal oxide coating. Ruthenium is widely used as an electro-catalyst for the production of chlorine, chlorine oxides, and O.sub.2.

(28) Electrode 210 should be considered the last inline or the center electrode and is constructed from a titanium perforated tube. The perforation openings 452 are smaller than the mesh size used in the construction of all other electrodes, (204, 206 and 208). The smaller perforated opening on the center electrode helps to restrict the flow of exiting influent and to allow a longer influent residence time for electrical exposure used for the evolvement of electrolytic or catalytic reactions and to lend aid to cellular lysis of sulfate-reducing bacteria and other slim forming microorganisms.

(29) Electrode mesh and the perforated openings can be of any size as long as the center electrode openings are smaller than the outer electrode's mesh sized. However, in the preferred embodiment a mesh size of approximately 0.63 cm is used in conjunction with a perforation opening of around 0.317 cm which was found to provide adequate influent residence while still allowing an acceptable system flow rate.

(30) With emphasize now on FIG. 5 which provides a perspective view of the last inline or center electrode. Electrode 210 provides smaller perforation openings 452 then all other proceeding electrodes. The perforations are once again used to restrict influent outflow to allow the influent a longer duration inside the housing and whereas, the longer the residence time the more efficient are the electro-chemistry reactions.

(31) As the influent migrates through the perforation openings it's then directed to outlet 530 where it exits the system.