Electrode Assembly, System and Method for Inactivating Organic Material in a Flow of Water

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrode assembly and a method for inactivating organic material in water, and a water treatment system that includes the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a longitudinal axis and at least an anode and a cathode, each having a first electrode member that includes a perforated portion for water to pass through and a second electrode member arranged at an angle with respect to the first electrode member, and also having a perforated portion for water to pass through. The first and second electrode members of the anode correspond to and are arranged in close proximity to the first and second electrode members of the cathode. The first and second electrode members are inclined with respect to the assembly's axis.

Claims

1. Electrode assembly (1) for inactivating organic material in water, the electrode assembly (1) having a longitudinal axis (L), and comprising: at least one electrode unit (2), comprising at least two electrodes (3) whereof at least one anode (3a) and one cathode (3b), wherein the electrodes (3) comprise: a first electrode member (31) comprising a perforated portion (311) for water to pass through; and a second electrode member (32) arranged at an angle with respect to the first electrode member (31), and comprising a perforated portion (321) for water to pass through; wherein the first and second electrode members (31, 32) of the anode (3a) correspond to and are arranged in close proximity to the first and second electrode members (31, 32) of the cathode (3b).

2. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the electrodes (3) comprises at least one further electrode member (33) comprising a perforated portion (331).

3. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the electrode assembly (1).

4. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) of the anode (3a) and the electrode members (31, 32, 33) of the cathode (3b) are arranged substantially equidistant with regards to each other.

5. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) are plate-shaped.

6. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) are curved.

7. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode unit (2) comprises a further electrode (3).

8. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3-7 in so far as dependent on claim 2, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) of each electrode (3) are arranged such that they constitute a funnel-shaped electrode portion.

9. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 2 or any one of claims 4-7 in so far as dependent on claim 2, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) of each electrode (3) are arranged such that they constitute the side walls of a prism.

10. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the funnel-shaped electrode portion or the prism has a polygonal base structure, such as trigonal, tetragonal, pentagonal, or hexagonal.

11. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of electrode units (2).

12. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 11 in so far as dependent on claim 8, wherein the electrode units (2) are stackable on each other.

13. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tubular housing (4) for enclosing the electrode unit(s) (2) and for defining a flow path for the water to be treated.

14. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode unit (2) further comprises a base portion (21) for connecting the electrodes (3) to a power source.

15. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 14 in so far as dependent on claim 13, wherein the base portion (21) is shaped such that the circumference of the base portion (21) substantially corresponds to the outer circumference of the tubular housing (4).

16. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perforated portions (311, 321, 331) of the electrode members (31, 32, 33) comprise a mesh.

17. Electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrode members (31, 32, 33) are provided with power distribution means (5).

18. Electrode assembly (1) according to claim 17, wherein the power distribution means (5) is a slot provided on each electrode member (31, 32, 33) for providing a short-cut for electricity from a point for connecting the electrode member (31, 32, 33) to a power source and to at least two different locations on the perforated portion (311, 321, 331) of the electrode member (31, 32, 33).

19. Power distribution means (5) for the electrode assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a frame (51) for being arranged around a perforated portion (311, 321, 331) of an electrode member (31, 32, 33), wherein said frame (51) is provided with a slot for providing a short-cut for electricity from a point for connecting the electrode member (31, 32, 33) to a power source and to at least two different locations on the perforated portion (311, 321, 331) of the electrode member (31, 32, 33).

20. Treatment system (10) for water contaminated with organic material, wherein the treatment system (10) comprises the electrode assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1-18.

21. Treatment system (10) according to claim 20, further comprising the power distribution means (5) according to claim 19.

22. Method for inactivating organic material in water, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a confined space (41) having a longitudinal axis, an inlet opening (42) and an outlet opening (43); arranging an electrode assembly (1) according to claim 1 in the confined space (41), such that the longitudinal axis (L) of the electrode assembly (1) is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the confined space (41); connecting the electrode assembly (1) to a power source (11); and letting the water in through the inlet opening (42), through the electrode assembly (1) in the confined space (41), and out through the outlet opening (43).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In the following are described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an electrode assembly according to this disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 2 shows another electrode assembly according to this disclosure;

[0047] FIGS. 3a-3f shows examples of other possible embodiments of the electrode assembly of the disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an electrode member of an anode and of a cathode that may have application as part of the electrode assemblies described in this disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an electrode assembly of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an electrode assembly according to this disclosure and that includes a power supply;

[0051] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another electrode assembly according to this disclosure that includes a power supply; and

[0052] FIG. 8a-b shows a system for water treatment employing an electrode assembly made in accordance with this disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The figures are shown in a simplified and schematic manner, and details that are not important in order to disclose and explain the structure and operation of the disclosed embodiments may have been omitted from the figures. The various elements in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale relative to each other. Like or corresponding elements will be indicated by the same reference numeral in the figures.

[0054] Any positional specifications such as over, under, above, below, left and right reflect the position shown in the figures.

[0055] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which shows an electrode assembly 1 having a longitudinal axis L. The electrode assembly 1 is here shown before it is completely assembled. A tubular housing 4 is shown as two parts not yet assembled. An electrode unit 2 is arranged between the two parts of the tubular housing 4. The electrode unit 2 comprises a base portion 21 which is here shown in a shape and size adapted to be sandwiched between, and connected to, the two parts of the tubular housing 4. The electrode unit 2 further comprises electrodes 3, whereof in FIG. 1 only one is visible, as two electrodes 3, an anode 3a and a cathode 3b (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are arranged one covering the other. The electrodes 3 consist of at least two electrode members 31, 32 each. In FIG. 1, only two electrode members 31, 32 are visible, each comprising perforated portions 311, 321 for water to pass through. The electrode members 31, 32 are connected to the base portion 21. A not shown power source may be connected to the base portion 21 in order to provide the electrodes 3 with electricity such that free radicals may be formed.

[0056] The tubular housing 4 encloses a confined space 41, and it is provided with an inlet opening 42 and an outlet opening 43. The electrode assembly 1 may be oriented the opposite way in a flow of water, meaning that the inlet opening 42 could instead be the outlet opening, and the outlet opening 43 could instead be the inlet opening.

[0057] The electrode members 31, 32 are inclined with regards to the longitudinal axis L, and here they are shown connected to each other.

[0058] In FIG. 2 two electrode units 2 are shown. The electrode units 2 are arranged opposite of each other, sharing the same base portion 21. The shape of the tubular housing 4 is altered from that shown in FIG. 1 so as to house both electrode units 2. It must be understood that the shown geometrical shapes of both the housing 4 and of the electrode units 2 are only exemplary. Many different shapes are possible. Also electrode units 2 may be stacked upon each other instead of, or in addition to, electrode units 2 sharing base portion 21. One electrode assembly 1 may have a plurality of electrode units 2.

[0059] In FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3e are shown different possible base structures of the electrode units 2. FIG. 3a shows an electrode unit 2 with a pentagonal base structure. The electrode unit 2 is seen from above. This embodiment of the electrode unit 2 is constituted by five electrode members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, each having a perforated portion 311, 321, 331, 341, 351. Similarly FIG. 3b shows an electrode unit 2 having a trigonal base structure, thus having three electrode members 31, 32, 33 each having a perforated portion 311, 321, 331. In FIG. 3c the base structure is tetragonal, with electrode members 31, 32, 33, 34 and corresponding perforated portions 311, 321, 331, 341. FIG. 3d shows the cross section through the line A-A in FIG. 3c, where electrode member 34 with perforated portion 341 can be seen in the figure. FIG. 3e shows a three-sided prismatic embodiment of an electrode unit, wherein the electrode members 31, 32, 33 will be non-inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the electrode assembly when installed therein. FIG. 3f shows a cross-section seen through the line B-B from FIG. 3e, where the electrode member 33 and corresponding mesh 331 can be seen in the figure.

[0060] In FIG. 4, an electrode member 31 of an anode 3a and an electrode member 31 of a cathode 3b are shown in a sandwich structure with a spacer element 6 between the electrode members 31. The purpose of the spacer element 6 is to keep the two electrode members 31 equidistant to each other. Each electrode member is provided with a connecting means 7 for connecting to a power source. Said connecting means 7 is transferring power to the perforated portion 311 of the electrode member 31. In some embodiments, such as shown here, the connecting means 7 is transferring the power via a power distribution means 8. The power distribution means 8 distributes the power from the connecting means 7 to at least two locations of the edge of the perforated portion 311.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the electrode assembly 1 of FIG. 1 in an exploded view. Here the anode 3a and the cathode 3b are shown as trigonal funnel-shaped structures, stackable on each other meaning that, in this embodiment, the extending, trigonal funnel-shaped portion of the anode 3a is fitted within the interior recess of the trigonal funnel-shaped portion of cathode 3b. The spacer element 6 is here shown as a circular disc with an opening provided therein for receiving the trigonal funnel-shaped portion of the anode 3a and a cap 61 keeping the narrow ends of the electrodes 3a, 3b at fixed position relative to each other and closing the narrow end of the funnels-shaped structure. The connection means 7 of both the anode 3a and the cathode 3b are here shown as ears 71 which, when the embodiment is assembled, will extend on the outside of the tubular housing 4 for easy connection to a power source.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the electrode assembly 1 wherein two electrode units 2 are provided. The electrode units 2 are arranged opposite of each other, i.e. they have a common base portion 21.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a cross-section through the assembled version of the electrode assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1. The electrodes 3 are provided within the confined space 41 of the tubular housing 4, and the flow direction may be either way through the confined space 41. That means that the inlet opening 42 could alternatively be the outlet opening, and the outlet opening 43 could alternatively be the inlet opening. The connection means 7 extend on the outside of the tubular housing 4.

[0064] Other embodiments, for instance an embodiment wherein two or more electrode units 2 are stacked on each other, are also contemplated. Likewise, in another embodiment, another electrode unit 2 could be stacked upon one of the electrode units 2 of FIG. 7.

[0065] FIG. 8a shows a water treatment system 10 comprising the electrode assembly 1 described herein. The tubular housing 4 is provided between two pipelines, an inlet 12 and an outlet 14, such as to provide a continuous flow path for water to be treated by the water treatment system 10. The system 10 may comprise a plurality of different treatment units where the electrode assembly 1 for electrolytic treatment of the water constitutes one of the treatment units. The electrode assembly 1 is here shown connected to a power source 11 for providing power to the base portions 21 of the electrode units 2 of the electrode assembly 1, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Other treatment units may be typically connected to the electrode assembly 1 upstream of the inlet, while a not shown injection well may be connected to the system 10 downstream of the electrode assembly 1. In other embodiment, further treatment units may also be provided downstream of the electrode assembly. In the shown embodiment, the system 10 is further provided with a plurality of cells 16 for electro-chlorination of seawater powered by a power source 18, the cells constituting one example of such additional treatment units.

[0066] In FIG. 8b, the system 10 is shown in an exemplary position of use, where it provided together with large container 20 for gravitational precipitation of particles from seawater, where the container is provided upstream of the electrode assembly in the shown embodiment. Further details about the container 20 can e.g. be found in WO 2007/035106 A1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

[0067] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention that is claimed below, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb comprise and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0068] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.