Electrolytic purification of contaminated waters by using oxygen diffusion cathodes

摘要

The process comprises the oxydation, in an electrolytic cell provided with one or a plurality of anodes, of the pollutants which comtaminate the waters, and is characterized in that oxygen is diffused in the electrolytic cell cathode or cathodes subjected to a voltage lower than 100 V in order to reduce said gas to a dissolution oxydizing species selected among hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl and/or peroxydril radicals. The equipment for implementing said process comprises an electrolytic cell continuously supplied and provided with an anode (1) and two oxygen diffusion cathode (2) and is sealed on either side with a frame (3), said frames and cathodes delimiting the compartments (4) which are supplied with oxygen gas and/or gas mixtures containing oxygen through inlets (6); similarly, the cathode and the anode delimit the compartments (5) through which circulates the contaminated water entering through the inlet (5) and coming out through outlets (8). The electrolytic cell of the invention provides for the treatment of contaminating waters which contain toxic, non biodegradable substances or substances which cannot be oxydized by conventional processes. $$