Patent Abstract:
A method for water treatment system comprising: mixing feed water to be treated with an agent to increase a pH level of the feed water; running the feed water through a plurality of Electro-Coagulation (EC) units; and running the feed water through a plurality of settling tank chambers wherein each successive settling tank chamber removes smaller particles.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to a water treatment system, and more particularly, to a waste water treatment system that uses electro-coagulation. 
         [0002]    The impact of polluted water is an environmental problem for industries around the world. Presently there is a growing need for scaled, decentralized water treatment plants. Many industrial and other processes create contaminated water that must be dealt with. Often this means costly transport and disposal of the contaminated water. Even if the water is to be treated at a treatment facility to remove the contaminations, the water may have to first be transported to the facility for treatment. 
         [0003]    One of the most efficient methods for removing Total Suspended Solids (TSS), many heavy metals and organic compounds is Electro-Coagulation or EC. Water from municipal waste to oil and gas waste water known as produced water can be cleaned to irrigation quality water or left for further treatment in other equipment by the EC unit, depending on the quality of the feed water. The EC unit is not restricted by the ability to process high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) water as many other units are. The unit will not remove salinity or other chlorides with di-valent ions. Other treatment equipment may be required in high TDS water, depending on the quality of water the client specifies. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method to overcome the above. The system and method would be a scaled, decentralized water treatment plant utilizing EC. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A method for water treatment system comprising: mixing feed water to be treated with an agent to increase a pH level of the feed water; running the feed water through a plurality of Electro-Coagulation (EC) units; and running the feed water through a plurality of settling tank chambers wherein each successive settling tank chamber removes smaller particles. 
         [0006]    A water treatment system has an Electro-Coagulation (EC) unit. A plurality of settling tank chambers is coupled to the EC unit. 
         [0007]    A water treatment system has a mixing unit for receiving feed water to be treated and for combining an agent with the feed water to increase a pH level of the feed water. A plurality of Electro-Coagulation (EC) units is coupled to the mixing unit. A plurality of settling tank chambers is coupled to the EC units, wherein each successive settling tank chamber removes smaller particles. A collection tank is coupled to a last of the plurality of settling tank chambers. 
         [0008]    The features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a magnified view of one section of the present invention; and 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Electro-Coagulation (EC) is a technique that may be used for wash water treatment, wastewater treatment, industrial processed water, medical treatment and the like. Electricity-based electro-coagulation technology removes contaminants that may be impossible to be removed by filtration or chemical treatment systems, such as emulsified oil, TPH, suspended solids, and heavy metals. Fully automated, EC systems have no filters to clean or replace and does not require use of chemicals. 
         [0013]    Referring now  FIGS. 1-2 , an Electro-Coagulation (EC) system  10  and operation will be disclosed. The EC system  10  may allow water from municipal waste, oil and gas waste water known as produced water, and the like to be cleaned to irrigation quality water or left for further treatment in other equipment by the EC system  10 , depending on the quality of the feed water. The EC system  10  is not restricted by the ability to process high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) water as prior art systems are. Other treatment equipment may be required in high TDS water, depending on the quality of water the client specifies. 
         [0014]    The EC system  10  works by coagulating mono-valent molecules by exerting a low voltage direct current into the water via metallic plates that contact the water in anionic and cationic oscillation as it flows over the plates. The negative valent ions are attracted to the positive charged ions from the EC plates. This causes the molecules to grow into larger molecules as they grow larger and get heavier they fall out of solution. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the EC system  10  has a mixing unit  12 . Feed water (i.e., water to be treated) flows into the mixing unit  12  via piping  14 . A flow meter  16  may be used to monitor the flow of the feed water flowing into the mixing unit  12 . The mixing unit  12  may be used to store the feed water. The mixing unit  12  may further be used to mix soda ash with the feed water. Soda ash may be added to the feed water to increase the pH of the feed water. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the mixing unit  12  may have an agitating device  18 . The agitating device  18  may be used to mix/stir in the soda ash with the feed water. Soda ash may be added as EC may be more effective with high pH waters. 
         [0016]    The mixing unit  12  may have an overflow pipe  20 . Once the mixed feed water in the mixing unit  12  reaches the overflow pipe  20 , the mixed feed water may flow into one of a plurality of EC reactor units  22 . Each of the EC reactor units  22  may contain electrically charged plates  24 . The charged plates  24  may be positioned to direct the mixed feed water flow evenly across the charged plates  24 . The charged plates  24  may be negatively charged (anionic) and positively charged (cationic) to effect the change in molecular structure of molecules. 
         [0017]    As stated above, the EC reactor units  22  work by coagulating mono-valent molecules by exerting a low voltage direct current into the water via the electrically charged plates  24  that contact the water in anionic and cationic oscillation as it flows over the electrically charged plates  24 . The negative valent ions are attracted to the positive charged ions from the electrically charged plates  24 . This causes the molecules to grow into larger molecules as they grow larger and get heavier they fall out of solution. 
         [0018]    The mixed feed water which flows into one of a plurality of EC reactor units  22  may fill the EC reactor units  22  causing the mixed feed water to flow out of each of the full EC reactor units  22  via an outlet  22 A. The overflow water from the EC reactor units  22  feed into the distributor flume  26  which spreads the water flow evenly across the first of a plurality of settling tank chambers  28 . 
         [0019]    The settling tank chambers  28  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are very unique to water treatment processes. The configuration of the settling tank chambers  28  provide longer retention time that is needed for complete reaction and clarification. The water flows through the first settling tank chamber  28 A to remove the large particles that coagulate and fall out easily. Usually, the first chamber collects the majority of the impurities and has the largest pump out nozzle  30  for removal of solids. The outlet  32  of the first settling tank chamber  28 A overflows to the second settling tank chamber  28 B where the flume  26  spreads the water out again and allows it to pass through the second settling unit. The more difficult particles will begin to separate and fall out. The second settling tank chamber  28 B collects the about half the impurities that the first chamber catches and has its own pump out nozzle  34  for removal of solids. 
         [0020]    This process continues through the third and fourth settling tank chambers  28 C and  28 D respectively. The third and fourth settling tank chambers  28 C and  28 D respectively each have their own pump out nozzle  36  and  38  respectively for removal of solids. The fourth setting tank chamber  28 D catches a small amount of solids signifying that the reaction is complete and the water is as clean as can be using this technology. Effluent from the final settling tank chamber  28 D flows into a small surge tank  40  where the pH is neutralized for discharge into the final treatment equipment or to other water users. A pH metering device  42  may be used to measure the pH level of the effluent. A device  44  may be used to add pH neutralizer into the effluent. 
         [0021]    When the solids settle to the bottom of the settling chambers, they may be removed via a sump pump  46 . The sump pump  46  may be used to send the collected particles to a roll-off bin for disposal at a local landfill. The solids level may be drawn down intermittently as the solids levels build. 
         [0022]    Many other EC units utilize a small clarifier/settling tank that leaves many impurities still in solution and causes downstream treatment to result in major maintenance costs and sometimes failure of the downstream equipment. The four chambered settling tank configuration has shortened settling time from 12 to 24 hours with conventional clarifiers for comparable water clarity to continuous flow capability. 
         [0023]    While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2