An electrochemical sewage treatment process

Abstract

Electrolysis of mixtures of sea water and waste water from a secondary treatment plant has been studied; the current density and the inter-electrode gap were varied. The results show a fast elimination of phosphorus compounds under favourable conditions. The rate of nitrogen removal is dependent on the formation, and subsequent degradation, of chloramines. In order to avoid the diffusion of the anodic products to the cathode, diaphragms of different materials were used; the best results were obtained with a cellulose pressed diaphragm. The energy consumptions for a phosphorus removal of 40 and 60% were 0.075 and 0.1 kWh m⁻³ of treated sewage, respectively.