US4048038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroflocculation cell
Assignee: JM Huber Corp
•
Filing: 1976-05-24
•
Granted: 1977-09-13
•
Expires: 1996-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An electroflocculation cell for the separation of clay particles from an aqueous suspension thereof, the cell being equipped with an anode and cathode separated by a first semipermeable membrane impermeable to clay particles which divides the cell into anode and cathode compartments. A second semipermeable membrane is provided in the anode compartment spaced from the anode and the first membrane. Upon application of a direct current to the anode and cathode, clay particles in a suspension fed to the area of the cell between the first and second membranes deposit electrophoretically on the second membrane. By avoiding contact of the clay deposit with the anode, contamination of the deposit by anode corrosion products is thereby avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert C. Kunkle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:29
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/42; B01D61/56; B01D57/00; B01D57/02; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/46; C02F1/461; C02F1/463; C25; C25B; C25B7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of electrokinetically separating finely divided clay particles suspended in an aqueous medium comprising the steps of introducing a suspension of solid clay particles into an electrokinetic cell provided with an anode and a cathode, and two semi-permeable membranes impermeable to the clay particles separating the anode and cathode, the cathode and a first of said membranes forming a cathodic compartment in the cell, the anode and a second of said membranes forming an anodic compartment in the cell, the space between said first and second membranes constituting a slurry compartment in the cell; directing the particle suspension into the said slurry compartment; discharging solid particle depleted effluent from the said slurry compartment; adding and circulating through the cathodic compartment an electrolyte having a pH of from 2-7; adding and circulating through the anodic compartment an electrolyte to maintain a predetermined concentration therein; applying a direct current field between the anode and cathode to cause the solid particle to be electrophoretically deposited from the suspension onto the said second membrane overlaying the anode concomitantly with the aqueous portion of the suspension being caused to migrate electroosmotically through the said first semi-permeable membrane and into the cathode compartment; and removing the solid particles from the said second membrane overlaying the anode and the water from the cathode compartment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of electrokinetically separating finely divided clay particles suspended in an aqueous medium comprising the steps of introducing a suspension of solid clay particles into an electrokinetic cell provided with an anode and a cathode, and two semi-permeable membranes impermeable to the clay particles separating the anode and cathode, the cathode and a first of said membranes forming a cathodic compartment in the cell, the anode and a second of said membranes forming an anodic compartment in the cell, the space between said first and second membranes constituting a slurry compartment in the cell; directing the particle suspension into the said slurry compartment; discharging solid particle depleted effluent from the said slurry compartment; adding and circulating through the cathodic compartment an electrolyte having a pH of from 2-7; adding and circulating through the anodic compartment an electrolyte to maintain a predetermined concentration therein; applying a direct current field between the anode and cathode to cause the solid particle to be electrophoretically deposited from the suspension onto the said second membrane overlaying the anode concomitantly with the aqueous portion of the suspension being caused to migrate electroosmotically through the said first semi-permeable membrane and into the cathode compartment; and removing the solid particles from the said second membrane overlaying the anode and the water from the cathode compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte added and circulated through the anodic compartment is about 1 to 2% acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the acid solution comprises 2% H 3 PO 4 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the acid solution comprises 2% H 2 SO 4 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte added and circulated through the anodic compartment is about 1-2% caustic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the electrolyte is NaOH maintained at a concentration on the order of 1 to 2% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte added and circulated through the cathodic compartment is about 0.1-1% acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the electrolyte is 0.1% H 2 SO 4 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a current density of from 0.05 to 0.35 ampere per square inch of effective electrode area is delivered to the cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the first and second membranes is on the order of 1 inch to 11/2 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the cathode and said first membrane is on the order of 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the anode and said second membrane is on the order of 1/16 inch to about 1/2 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the membranes are composed of a porous fabric having a porosity of from 0.5 to 4.0 cubic feet per minute of air per square inch of fabric.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous suspension contains greater than 20% clay solids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the suspension contains 40 to 65% clay solids.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of blending the solid particles removed from the said second membrane overlaying the anode with undispersed filter cake from normal plant operations to produce a 70% solids slurry.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the fabric is a material selected from a group consisting of Dacron, nylon, polyesters and prolypropylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cathode and anode are composed of Type 316stainless steel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cathode is composed of Type 316 stainless steel and the anode is composed of titanium clad with an inert, protective coating.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
282 words
A method of electrokinetically separating finely divided clay particles suspended in an aqueous medium comprising the steps of introducing an aqueous suspension of 40-65% solids clay particles into an electrokinetic cell provided with a Type 316 stainless steel anode and a Type 316 stainless steel cathode, and two semi-permeable membranes impermeable to clay particles separating the anode and cathode and having an air porosity of from 0.5 - 4.0 cubic feet per minute per square inch, the cathode and a first of said membranes spaced from 1/16 - 1/2 inch apart forming a cathodic compartment in the cell, the anode and a second of said membranes spaced from 1/16 - 1/2 inch apart forming an anodic compartment in the cell, the space between said first and second membranes spaced from 1 - 11/2 inches apart constituting a slurry compartment in the cell; directing the particle suspension into said slurry compartment; discharging solid particle depleted effluent from said slurry compartment; adding and circulating through the cathodic compartment an electrolyte having a pH of from 2 - 7; adding and circulating through the anodic compartment an electrolyte to maintain a predetermined concentration therein; applying a direct current field producing a current density of from 0.05 - 0.35 ampere per square inch of effective electrode area between the anode and cathode to cause the solid particle to be electrophoretically deposited from the suspension onto the said second membrane overlaying the anode concomitantly with the aqueous portion of the suspension being caused to migrate electroosmotically through the said first semi-permeable membrane and into the cathode compartment; and removing the solid particles from the said second membrane overlaying the anode and the water from the cathode compartment.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
282 words
A method of electrokinetically separating finely divided clay particles suspended in an aqueous medium comprising the steps of introducing an aqueous suspension of 40-65% solids clay particles into an electrokinetic cell provided with a Type 316 stainless steel anode and a Type 316 stainless steel cathode, and two semi-permeable membranes impermeable to clay particles separating the anode and cathode and having an air porosity of from 0.5 - 4.0 cubic feet per minute per square inch, the cathode and a first of said membranes spaced from 1/16 - 1/2 inch apart forming a cathodic compartment in the cell, the anode and a second of said membranes spaced from 1/16 - 1/2 inch apart forming an anodic compartment in the cell, the space between said first and second membranes spaced from 1 - 11/2 inches apart constituting a slurry compartment in the cell; directing the particle suspension into said slurry compartment; discharging solid particle depleted effluent from said slurry compartment; adding and circulating through the cathodic compartment an electrolyte having a pH of from 2 - 7; adding and circulating through the anodic compartment an electrolyte to maintain a predetermined concentration therein; applying a direct current field producing a current density of from 0.05 - 0.35 ampere per square inch of effective electrode area between the anode and cathode to cause the solid particle to be electrophoretically deposited from the suspension onto the said second membrane overlaying the anode concomitantly with the aqueous portion of the suspension being caused to migrate electroosmotically through the said first semi-permeable membrane and into the cathode compartment; and removing the solid particles from the said second membrane overlaying the anode and the water from the cathode compartment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the electrolyte added and circulated through the anodic compartment is about 1 to 2% acid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the acid solution comprises 2% H 3 PO 4 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the acid solution comprises 2% H 2 SO 4 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the electrolyte added and circulated through the anodic compartment is about 1-2% caustic.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the electrolyte is NaOH maintained at a concentration on the order of 1 to 2% by weight.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the electrolyte added and circulated through the cathodic compartment is about 0.1-1% acid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the electrolyte is 0.1% H 2 SO 4 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |