Patent ID: 8721869

Claim:
A high volume, foul-resistant electrolytic process for treating contaminated water in an electroflocculation cell which comprises a bottom electrode and a top electrode connectable to an electrical current source and immersed in a water stream, the process comprising: a. feeding the contaminated water to the electroflocculation cell below the bottom electrode; b. passing the contaminated water upwards, first through the bottom electrode comprising a porous, non-fluidized bed of loose metal granules resting on a tilted conducting support plate having nozzle inlets; c. embedding a perforated gas injection tube featuring number of holes within the bottom electrode and attaching it to and above the tilted conducting support plate at a location where the bed of loose metal granules has a depth maximum; d. keeping the loose metal granules of the porous, non-fluidized bed in periodic motion via pulsed gas injections from the perforated gas injection tube directly into the non-fluidized bed whereby a mixing action by the pulsed injections at said location enhanced by the tilt of the tilted conducting support plate is provided; e. further passing the contaminated water stream upwards, contacting thereby the top electrode comprised of a metal mesh; f. mechanically vibrating the top electrode; and, g. applying electric power to the bottom and top electrodes during the treatment process.