Patent ID: 6174444
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: C02F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of continuous flow treatment of an effluent containing phosphate and sulfate contaminants which comprises the steps of:(a) continuously introducing, at a flow rate, the effluent as an electrolyte into an electrolyte reactor which comprises at least one sacrificial zinc anode and at least one cathode;(b) dissolving metallic cations at a controlled rate from the anode into the effluent by applying an electric energy to said anode and cathode to create a current flow between said anode and cathode;(b)(i) to increase the pH of the effluent in said reactor, and(b)(ii) to allow the formation of an insoluble zinc contaminant complex;(c) balancing said flow rate of the effluent and said electrical energy at a ratio of from 1000 to 2500 coulombs/liter of effluent to control said pH at a level of from 2 to 7 in order to maximize and to promote the formation of the zinc contaminant complex; and(d) removing the zinc contaminant complex from the effluent.