Compact electrocatalytic sewage treatment unit for maritime use

Abstract

A compact, relatively small unit for treatment of wastewater for discharge into maritime waters is disclosed. The wastewater is received in a surge or retention tank and is delivered by gravity flow or pumped to a macerator for comminution of the solids content of the wastewater. Prior to entering the macerator, salt water on a controlled flow basis is added to the wastewater in sufficient amounts to insure a high enough salt content for use as the electrolyte in an electrocatalytic cell. From the macerator the wastewater to be treated is directed into a vertically oriented, elongated, electrocatalytic cell having a plurality of parallel, closely spaced electrodes therein positioned parallel to the flow of wastewater therethrough. The wastewater is directed through the electrocatalytic unit. The end electrodes of the spaced electrode plates are connected to a source of direct current sufficient to generate chlorine, oxygen and other treating chemicals in situ. The gases generated in the cell, entrained with the liquid, flow out of the electrocatalytic cell with the liquid into the standpipe of an effluent tank where a negative pressure separates the entrained gases from the liquid and vents them to the atmosphere. The heavier solids remaining in the discharged treated liquid are allowed to settle in the bottom of the effluent tank and the remaining effluent is discharged.