Compliance Consultants, Inc.

Electrokinetics, Inc.

Robert E Marks

Stephen D Field

Mary Madden Field

Yalcin B Acar

Robert J Gale

A method and apparatus concentrates, collects and removes heavy metals, other cations, and anions from media permitting generation of electrical fields. The heavy metals and other cations are electrochemically concentrated and precipitated for rapid removal from the aqueous media. The media, which may be aqueous, soils or wastes, is filtered and passed through a cation or anion exchange resin beds. Metals or anions are captured and held in the resin beds. Current is then applied through the resin beds using opposing electrodes of opposite polarity. In the metal removal units, heavy metals and other cations are concentrated around the negative electrode and lifted to a top of the electrode chamber using hydrogen gas lift. The concentrated solution of heavy metals and cations are removed from the chamber above the negative electrode and are circulated to provide additional time for growth and precipitation.

Process and equipment for electrochemical dual phase concentration, collection and removal of ions

A method and apparatus concentrates, collects and removes heavy metals, other cations, and anions from media permitting generation of electrical fields. The heavy metals and other cations are electrochemically concentrated and precipitated for rapid removal from the aqueous media. The media, which may be aqueous, soils or wastes, is filtered and passed through a cation or anion exchange resin beds. Metals or anions are captured and held in the resin beds. Current is then applied through the resin beds using opposing electrodes of opposite polarity. In the metal removal units, heavy metals and other cations are concentrated around the negative electrode and lifted to a top of the electrode chamber using hydrogen gas lift. The concentrated solution of heavy metals and cations are removed from the chamber above the negative electrode and are circulated to provide additional time for growth and precipitation. Once in a crystalline structure or precipitated form, the elemental metals and metal hydroxides are separated from the aqueous phase using a trap, which retains the crystallates and precipitates. The treated liquid is returned to the chamber beneath the positive electrode for recycling. The anions are concentrated in a similar manner and removed in soluble form from the aqueous media.

Equipment for electochemical collection removal of ions

The invention relates to insitu bio-electrokinetic remediation of contaminated soil containing hazardous mixed wastes as organic pollutants and hazardous heavy metals. Bio-remediation of the organic pollutants is followed by removal of the hazardous material. Cultured micro-organisms, nutrients and growth factors are added to clean soil adjacent to contaminated soil. Positive anodes and negative cathodes are placed in the microbial-loaded clean soil adjacent to the contaminated soil. The negative cathode is closest to the interface of the clean and contaminated soil. DC current is applied between the electrodes and water containing cultured microorganisms is pushed by the electrokinetic pumping effect into the contaminated site. The acid generated at the anode is not allowed to enter the contaminated soil. Cultured microorganisms are introduced into clean soil on the opposite side of the contaminated soil. DC current is reversed to change the original anode to cathode and cathode to anode. Micro-organism laden water is pulled into the contaminated site. The push-pull current reversal process is repeated to increase insitu biodegradation efficiency. When the biological oxidation of organic pollutants is complete, the acid front enters the contaminated soil for removal of hazardous metals. Hazardous metals precipitate near or electroplate on the cathode or are recovered from fluid collected at the cathode. Solubilizing materials are added to the water near the cathode to minimize the precipitation reaction. Fluids collected at the cathode are pumped through a treatment system before water is returned to the soil.

Growing community of inventors

Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Robert E Marks