Patent ID: 8500989

Claim:
An apparatus for removing contaminants from water, comprising in combination: a container for holding the water; at least one planar electrode capable of being rotated about an axis, wherein said at least one rotatable planar electrode is substantially vertical; a spindle having an axis collinear with the axis of each of said at least one rotatable planar electrode, said at least one rotatable planar electrode being attached to said spindle; a first planar stationary electrode having a first opening therein effective for permitting said spindle to pass therethrough disposed in the proximity of and parallel to the plane of said at least one rotatable planar electrode, and forming a first volume therebetween, said at least one rotatable planar electrode and said first planar stationary electrode being disposed in said water; a second planar stationary electrode having a second opening therein effective for permitting said spindle to pass therethrough disposed in the proximity of and parallel to the plane of said at least one rotatable planar electrode, and forming a second volume therebetween, said at least one rotatable planar electrode and said second planar stationary electrode being disposed in said water; said first and second planar stationary electrodes being substantially vertical, said at least one rotatable planar electrode positioned between said first and second planar stationary electrodes; a source of electrical current in electrical contact with said first and second planar stationary electrodes and said at least one rotatable planar electrode effective for causing electrocoagulation of the contaminants in said water; and a motor coupled with said spindle to rotate said spindle about the axis thereof at a chosen angular velocity such that said contaminated water is caused to pass through said first and second volumes and to flow outward from the axis along said first and second planar stationary electrodes and cause water to flow inward through said first opening and said second opening toward said rotatable planar electrode; wherein said first stationary electrode has at least one third opening, said second stationary electrode has at least one fourth opening, said third opening and said fourth opening for permitting water to pass therethrough; and wherein said at least one third opening is contiguous with said first opening, said at least one fourth opening is contiguous with said second opening, said third opening and said fourth opening orientated generally upward to receive the spindle for ease of assembly and replacement.