Electrochemical Solutions for Environmental Remediation

Problem definition

The high cost of external management or the external treatment of most solid industrial waste requires an in depth study to see how they can be minimized at source and/or partially or totally recovered, so that the final cost is minimal or positive.

Electrochemical technology reproduces the traditional chemical treatment except that it generates the necessary coagulants on-site without the need to add new salts like aluminium polychloride, ferric chloride, etc.

Solution

e-WATTS, through its different electrochemical technologies, along with others, can treat pollutants, by detoxifying and eliminating the compounds that make the waste toxic, or even recovering them as a by-product, as raw material during the process, or for sale to a third party. As a general rule, the company carries out a first study to evaluate the efficiency, OPEX, CAPEX and/or the value of the recovered/valued product. The high cost of external management of solid waste means these technologies are an excellent way of reducing costs or even generating income. Their payback period and positive impact on company accounts is often quickly perceived.

NOTE: Treatment capacity depends on the pollutant load to be removed per m3 and the final electrical load applied. Ah / m3.

Technology aimed at eliminating the environmental risk of the above through:

• Maximum nutrient recovery for use as fertilizers.
• Elimination/Reduction of total nitrogen.
• Reduction of farmland needed.
• Energy cogeneration.
• Obtainment of high quality water for reuse or discharge.

EONit^® treatment

The process:

• Coarse materials and suspended solids are separated.
• The liquid fraction is treated (T-1).  Two water streams are obtained.
• The aqueous fraction with NH4 is treated (T-2) for the production of hydrogen.
• High quality water resulting from the T-2 treatment is for discharge, irrigation or reuse in the facilities themselves.
• The organic fraction is sent to aerobic biological treatment (T-3).
• The generation of hydrogen for cogeneration (CO) is used for the production of electricity (Kws).
• The surplus heat generated in CO is used for drying and sanitisation of the solid fraction.

Diagram of the procedure:

PhosNit^® Treatment (Fertilizers)

The process:

• Coarse materials and suspended solids are separated.
• The liquid fraction is treated (T-1).  Two water streams are obtained.
• The aqueous fraction with NH4 is treated (T-2) for the production of hydrogen. (Pure struvite)
• The high quality struvite produced in the T-2 treatment, has a very good acceptance and market value, as it is considered one of the best slow-release fertilisers.
• High quality water resulting from the T-2 treatment, is for discharge, irrigation or reuse in the facilities themselves.
• The organic fraction is sent to aerobic biological treatment (T-3).

Diagram of the procedure:

Benefits of the Technology (1)

• Obtainment of high quality effluent for reuse or discharge.
• Reduction of farmland needed (>90%)
• Reduction of total nitrogen (>90%)
• Reduction of total phosphorus. (>90%)
• Reduction of COD. (>90%)
• Effluent sanitation. Absence of pathogens.

Benefits of the Technology (2)

• Solid fraction:
  • EONit^®treatment: sanitized.
  • PhosNit^®treatment: composting.
• Reduction of energy costs. Cogeneration of the hydrogen produced (EONit^®).
• Efficient use of residual heat. Drying and sanitisation of the solid fraction. (EONit^®)
• Production of high purity and high quality fertiliser. (PhosNit^®)

Problem definition

The uncontrolled industrialisation and industrial spills of the last decades have generated problems of soil and/or groundwater contamination. The cost and time required for their regeneration makes our technology a sound option to treat contamination either online or on-site.

Solutions

Electrochemical technology, alone or in combination with other technologies, can treat large flows of polluted groundwater with mobile on-site installations, which can be re-injected back into the groundwater, thus quickly reducing the minimum intervention threshold. In contaminated soils, it is possible to intervene effectively with rapid regeneration, both with leaching + electrochemical and/or bioremediation. Off-site treatments involve higher costs both in treatment and soil transport, which makes them expensive and sometimes unaffordable.

All decontamination projects require a preliminary study consisting of:

• Water and / or soil analysis.
• Soil and water sampling and pilot lab, prior assessment of the decontamination project.
• Preliminary project describing the techniques to be used, decontamination costs, monitoring methodology and duration of the work.

Problem definition

In most companies and in almost all industrial sectors, scrubbers are used to prevent the emission of pollutant gases. These gases can consist of a multitude of organic or inorganic pollutants. Usually these scrubbers use reagents that react and remove the pollutant from the gas to the aqueous phase. These scrubbing solutions need to be renewed (reagent consumption/cost) and the scrubbing water used needs to be managed as hazardous waste (cost).

Source of the problem

Industrial activity, especially in the oil, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, iron and steel industries, among others, tends to generate a whole range of pollutants in their emissions (particles, NOx, SOx, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, XVOCs, VOCs, dioxins, volatile metals, odours, etc.), which are highly toxic.

Solutions

The proposed solution involves the regeneration of scrubbing solutions and the non-generation of liquid waste that entail a high disposal cost. Electrochemical technology allows for both the regeneration of these scrubbing solutions and for the ongoing control of their concentration, regeneration efficiency and the removal of the pollutant from the final gas emission.

Problem definition

Most companies in almost all industrial sectors, have a number of installations that require disinfection by means of some type of oxidising or germicidal chemical compound such as hypochlorite, ozone, peroxide or persulphates. There are also companies that need these compounds for the synthesis of other end products. The cost of purchasing or generating these disinfectants on-site is often high (OPEX, CAPEX) using current systems. We provide the electrochemical generation of these compounds on-site and can thus avoid cost overruns, storage and transport of dangerous goods.

Source of the problem

The problem is often the cost, (OPEX / CAPEX) storage and transport of dangerous products.

Solutions

Electrochemical technology generates and/or regenerates oxidants/disinfectants of any type at the desired concentration and in continuous operation.

Disinfection in Cooling Towers (Legionella sp.)

Problem definition

Most companies in almost all industrial sectors have cooling towers for temperature control in their production processes. The cooling water in these towers requires high maintenance in terms of reagent dosages of hypochlorite (to avoid Legionella) and antifouling to mitigate the concentration of calcium that gets encrusted in the installation and conditions its proper functioning. Hence, it requires a technology that can regenerate the disinfectant and avoid overdosing of reagents (and corrosiveness).

Source of the problem

High dosage of hypochlorite and other reagents (chlorides basically) increase the conductivity of the cooling water, which causes high corrosivity in the installation and reduces its average life

Solutions

Continuous water flow prevents the presence of suspended solids and an increase in the organic load, resulting in crystal clear water that inhibits the proliferation of bacteria (including Legionella). In addition to continuous water flow, an electrochemical cell is installed which regenerates the active chlorine content (to avoid the proliferation of Legionella and other microorganisms), oxidises and eliminates the possible presence of COD, and prevents increased conductivity/chlorides in the installation and calcium incrustations. This entails low or no reagent consumption, exceptionally low corrosivity and lengthens the average life of the installation

Problem definition

In most companies and in almost all industrial sectors, there are reverse osmosis or nanofiltration installations for the production of high quality water or the recovery of waste effluents. These osmosis systems generate concentrates (approx. 20%) that contain too much conductivity and are discharged or managed externally, causing an increase in the discharge tax or management cost and a loss of water that could be largely recovered.

Source of the problem

The source of the problem is the drinking water, process water or treated wastewater that generates between 25-30% of the concentrate water that is discharged or managed externally and not recovered due to its high content of cations and anions.

Solutions

Electrochemical treatment is highly efficient in eliminating cations and anions, at a low cost, and in the recovery of osmosis and nanofiltration concentrates, as well as in generating minimum sewage sludge.