Patent ID: 6036840
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B01D,C02F,F01N,Y02T

Abstract:
A method for the electrochemical conversion of a material insoluble in a fluid into a material soluble in the fluid, which method comprises:(a) flowing the fluid containing the insoluble material into a reaction zone having an internal circuit which includes:(i) one or more working electrodes having open through-going cavities therein and being capable of transferring electrons in one or more electrochemical processes which convert the insoluble material into the soluble material,(ii) one or more counter-electrodes capable of transferring electrons which counterbalance the electrochemical processes at the one or more working electrodes, and(iii) one or more ion-selective electrolytes positioned between and in contact with the one or more working electrodes and the one or more counter-electrodes, for selectively conducting one or more types of ions between the one or more working electrodes and the one or more counter-electrodes, the one or more electrolytes having open through-going cavities therein,so that the introduced insoluble material passes into the cavities in the electrodes and the electrolyte and is brought within an electrochemical reaction distance from the working electrode to enable the electrochemical processes to take place,wherein the working electrode and the counter-electrode are connected to an external current source(b) applying to the internal circuit an electrical voltage difference supplied by the external current source which is sufficient for the electrochemical processes to convert the insoluble material into the soluble material, and(c) conducting the soluble material from the reaction zone with the flowing fluid.