"A system and process for treatment of water"
Field of the invention
The present invention is in the field of water treatment and utilizes an improved Electrolytic
treatment system in conjunction with filtration assembly for the removal of fluoride and· other
contaminants. It can also be. widely used in domestic sewage and industrial wastewater
treatment.
Background information
Water is a valuable resource m cities and towns where population is growing
and water supplies are limited. Fluoride is known to contaminate groundwater reserves
globally. Sporadic incidence of high fluoride content in the groundwater has been reported
from India, China, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Spain, Holland, Italy, Mexico, and North and
South American countries. In India, fluoride endemic states are Andhni. Pradesh, Kamataka,
Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, M~arashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala,
Jamrn.u and Kashmir, and Delhi. Most of rural population uses ground water for drinking
purpose, while the ground water has been frequently found to be contaminated with various
toxic pollutants such as arsenic, pesticides, heavy metals and fluoride. The uses of
contaminated ~ater with these toxic contaminants may cause serious health problems.
Water in this application refers to fluoride contamination which is not suitable for the human
consumption without prior treatment. Therefore, fluoride contamination present in drinking
water is critical for the provision of potable water which is of concern to public health.
Although, fluoride in lower concentrations, 1 mg/1 in water prevents tooth decay and is an
important element, but excessive fluoride intake (> 1 mg/1) over a long period of time may
result in a serious public health problem called fluorosis, which is characterized by dental
mottling and skeletal manifestations such as crippling def?rmities, osteoporosis, and
osteosclerosis. The traditional method of removing high contents of toxic contaminants such
as arsenic, fluoride,· heavy metals from wastewater is a physiochemical process that involves
adding iron or aluminum salts, such as aluminum sulphate, ferric sulphate, ferric chloride or
polymer, to the water followed qy coagulation and precipitation. The positive charge of the
coagulants neutralizes the negative charge of dissolved and suspended particles in the water.
The process causes the destabilization and aggregation of smaller particles into larger
IPO DELHI· 24-11-2015 15:4~
particles. These destabilized colloids can be aggregated and subsequently removed by
sedimentation and/or filtration.
Various water treatment methods . have been used with a combination of coagulation,
sedimentation, filtration and disinfection to provide clean, safe drinking water to the public.
Worldwide, a combination of coagulation, sedimentation and filtration is the most widely
used applied water treatment technology since the early 201
h century. Ho~ever, these
methods are not suitable for wastewater containing high concentration of toxic pollutants
such as organic and inorganic compounds. Therefore, it is essential to treat the water·so as to
bring down the concentration of these toxic contaminants within the permissible/desirable
limits. For this, Electrolytic methods have been developed by Hartle (CA2755161),
Mothersbaugh and Hancock (US8540863), Oifman (US20110155564). However, Zappi and
Weinwerg (US6315886 Bl) have pointed out that electrochemical processes in some
instances are ineffective in treating solutions by reducing concentrations of contaminants to
levels permitted under government regulations. Such processes often lack sufficient '
reliability for consistently achieving substantially complete mineralization of organic ·
contaminants, as well as the ability to remove sufficient color from industrial waste waters in
compliance with government regulations
The present invention overcomes a number of shortcomings of the prior art by providing a
novel system for the removal of fluoride to bring its concentration to the
desirable/permissible limits. This method may also be helpful for the removal of various
contaminants such as color, organic and inorganic compounds and metals from the different
sewage and industrial effluents. This may also help for disinfection of drinking and sewage
. '
water. In this aspect, the invention relates to Electrolytic water treatment utilizing filtration
assembly providi.ng the energy efficient and low-cost ecofriendly technology having an edge
over conventional technology.
Objective
To develop an Electrolytic reactor which optionally in conjunc,tion with a filtration assembly
provides eco-friendly and economically viable treatment of the water to reduce the fluoride
contents as well as other contaminants, within permissible limits.
IPO DELHI 24-11-2015 15 40
2
Summary of invention
The present invention provides a system ~d method for treatment of water, which is based
on the Electrolytic technology using aluminum electrodes in conjunction with filtration
assembly for the removal of fluoride from water and for the. water purification. The
aluminum electrode combination is immersed in the electrolytic reactor during the treatment
of water and is directed to connect the +ve and -ve terminal of the DC power supply. This
system includes- power supply (101), electrolytic Re~etor (102), magnetic stirrer (103),
peristaltic pump (105), vacuum pump (106), filtration assembly (107), finally treated water
collector (111). After electrolytic treatment, the treated fluorinated water is filtered by the in
conjunction with filtration assembly (107) for the removal of the residual fluoride, aluminum
and colloidal matter to below the permissible/desirable limits of the BIS standards.
Brief description of the invention
The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention !iccording to
the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in
which:
Figure 1: System for the electrolytic treatment of fluorinated water
Figure 2: A plan view of power supply.
Figure 3: A systematic view of electrode assembly and side view of electrode of the
Electrode assembly.
Figure 4: A sectional view of filtration assembly with vacuum pump.
Figure 5: A systematic view of filtration assembly.
Detailed description of the invention ·
In the detailed description ofthe present invention, numerous specific details are described to
provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention.
However, a person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that ail embodiment of the present
invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other systems,
methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like.
IPO DELHI 24-11-2015 15 10
Accordingly, the invention discloses a system and method for treatment of water, which is
based on the Electrolytic technology using aluminum electrodes in conjunction with filtration
assembly for the removal of fluoride from water and for the water purification. The
aluminum electrode combination i.s immersed in th~ electrolytic reactor during the treatment
of water and is directed to connect the +ve and -ve terminal of the DC power supply. This
system includes - Power supply (101), electrolytic ·Reactor (102), magnetic stirrer (103),
electrode assembly (1 04), Peristaltic pump (1 05), vacuum pump (1 06), filtration assembly
(107), finally treated water collector (111). The primary function of Electrolytic Reactor
( 1 02) is to reduce significaut l.:Olll:t!nlration (> 90%) of fluoride from the tluorinated water.
After electrolytic treatment, the treated fluorinated water is filtered by the incorporated
Filtration assembly for the removal of the residual fluoride, aluminum and colloidal matter to
below the permissible/desirable limits of the BIS standards. The electrodes are placed in
water with a natural pH value of approximately 7.3 and a temperature of 30° C. DC power in
the form of voltage is supplied to the electrodes by a power supply, with the voltage
controlled by an adjustable rheostat. The voltage levels are set by voltage meter on the power
supply and confirmed with a calibrated hand held DC current meter.
Further description of the system is elaborated in terms of the relevant figures.
Figure 1 shows Water treatment system for electrolytic treatment of water to bring fluoride
levels under control. This includes power supply (1 01), electrolytic reactor (1 02), magnetic
stirrer (103), electrode assembly (104), peristaltic pump (105), vacuum pump (106), filtration
assembly (1 07) and finally treated water collector (Ill). The primary treatment using
electrolytic reactor (102) involves coagulation and flocculation and reduces significant
concentration of fluoride from the fluorinated water. After that the secondary treatment of the
treated fluorinated water can be performed by the Filtration assembly by using peristaltic
pump (105) and vacuum pump (106) as per requirement of the filtration to enhance the
process for the removal the residual fluoride content, electrochemically generated aluminum
and colloidal matter to below the permissible/desirable limits of the BIS standards.
Thus one aspect of the invention relates to Electr,olytic water treatment which provides the
energy efficient and ecofriendly technology over conventional technology. As seen,
aluminum electrodes combination is immersed in the electrolytic reactor during the treatment
IPO DELHI 24-11-2015 15:40
4
of fluorinated water and is directed to connect the +ve (anode) and -ve (cathode) terminal of
the DC power supply.
Transparency of the Electrolytic reactor and aluminum electrode combination allows for the
visual inspection of the micro bubble and colloids generated during the treatment associated
with the application of constant voltage and current. The sedimentation rate of the coagulant
is dependable on the generation of a large number of negatively charged hydroxyl ions and
positively charged hydrogen ions during the Electrolytic treatment. The ions are released
into the water, where they attach themselves to floating particulate matter of opposite charged
ions into the water forming heavier particles through charged neutralization, thus allowing
them to settle to the bottom of the electrolytic reactor effectively, thereby, reducing fluoride
content in the water.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically the DC power supply (101). This shows that the an electric
wire ( 114) is connected to the external power source and passes constant voltage through the
+ ve terminal (118) and -ve terminal (119) to the system. A voltage controller valve (117)
was used to stop and maintain the voltage and current. Voltage ( 115) and current ( 116) was
measured from the LCD monitor ·
Figure 3 shows the components of the electrode assembly (104) of the nine aluminum
electrodes with monopolar connections. The side electrodes were connected to the anode
(120) and cathode (121) to the power supply and middle electrodes (122) and (123) were not
connected the power source. The middle electrodes were charged by the flowing current in
the water. The front view (125) is the aluminum electrode and (124) is the side view of the
electrode. After that the electrode assembly immersed in the Electrolytic reactor was used for
the treatment of fluorinated water~
Figure 4 shows the sectional view of filtration assembly (1 07) with vacuum pump (1 06). This
includes the filtration chamber filled with gravel (137), filtration chamber filled with sand
(138) and filtration chamber filled with activated charcoal (139).The vacuum pipe (134)
connected to the filtration flask knob (135). An electric wire of the vacuum pump (1 06)
connected to the external power source. The finally treated water collected from the collector
(136).
IPO DELHI 24-11--2015 15:40
5
Figure 5 shows the systematic VIew of filtration assembly (107) which includes the
assembled filtration apparatus with drain pipe (140) of the electrolytic treated fluorinated
water was drain in the filtration chamber filled with the gravels (141). The sample was then
drained into filtration chamber (142) filled with the sand and thereafter filtered through the
gravel and sand; and then drained into filtration chamber (143) filled with the activated
powered charcoaL Tht! finally treated fluorinated water was collected from collector (144)
· into the bottles. Thus the most important embodiment of the present invention involves an
Electrolytic treatment system for defluoridation of water comprising an electrolytic reactor
(102), optionally in conjunction with a filtration assembly (107).
As yet another important embodiment, the system comprises a power supply ( 1 01 ),
electrolytic reactor (1 02), magnetic stirrer (1 03), optionally peristaltic pump (1 05); vacuum
pump (106); filtration assembly (107), finally treated water collector (111).
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention the electrolytic reactor is
having electrodes assembled in parallel mode, a side electrode as an anode surface and the
other side electrode as a cathode surface ; and all the middle electrodes each having surface
area equal to said anode and cathode surface area without connection to the power supply.
As per yet another embodiment, the electrolytic reactor the said anode and cathode are
placed within the same inter electrode di~tance of 0.5 to 2.0 em and is operable at the voltage
between 50 to 500 V and at different time ranges depending on the volume of water and type
of water sample. . .
As per yet another important embodiment, the said anode and cathode are preferably operated
at 0.7 em inter electrode distance.
As per yet another embodiment, the reactor comprises: negative and positive terminal of
power supply ( 101) connected to electrode assembly ( 1 04) housed in the electrolytic reactor . .
(102), placed on the magnetic stirrer (103) wherein electrolytic reactor (102) can be
optionally connected to the peristaltic pump (1 05) which in tuin is connected to the filtration
assembly (1 06), which in turn is connected to the finally treated water collector (Ill) of the
said system.
IPO DELHI 24-11-2015 15"10
As per yet another embodiment,·the electrodes (anode and cathode) ofthe electrolytic reactor
are made of aluminium alloy and wherein said electrodes are connected in parallel in
electrode assembly with monopolar or a bipolar connection,
As per . yet another important· embodiment, the coagulated impurities formed during
electrolytic treatment are removed by means of the settling/ precipitation based on the
generated coagulant.
·As per yet anotherimportant embodiment, the filtration assembly comprises of (a) Gravel (b)
Sand (c) Activated powdered charcoal or a combination thereof.
As per yet another embodiment, the system is capable of removing fluoride and bringing it
below the desirable (1.0 mg/) and permissible limit (1.5 m/1) of BIS standard preferably 0.9
mg/1 from water.
As per yet another important embodiment, the filtration assembly is capable of removing
aluminum from electrolytic treated fluorinated water within the permissible limit (0.2 mg/1)
of BIS standard.
yet another important embodiment of the present invention relates. to a, process of treatment
of water, wherein the process comprises of the steps of (a) treating water at a voltage of 50 to
SOOV in the electrolytic reactor (1 02) for a desirable period of time and (b) removing the
flocculants I coagulants by settling the flocculates/coagulates settle for appropriate time
period ranging ·from 30 minutes to overnight; thereafter removing the residual micro
coagulant I flocculent optionally by a filtration assembly.
As per yet another important embodiment, the process of water treatment is capable m
removing the fluoride content at the optimum voltage 300 V and for 3 min electrolytic time.
As per yet another embodiment, the filtration process comprises of using a peristaltic pump
and /or a vacuum pump as per the requirement.
I.P o Dc~-. Lun T• 2 a-11-20lS 15= 7ao
The present disclosure with reference to the accompanying examples describes the present
invention. A more complete understanding of the invention can be had by reference to the
following examples. It is understood that the . examples are provided for the purpose of
illustrating the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any
way.
Examples
As' an example of the -procedure to dctcrn1int:: the removal of fluoride concentration at the
appropriate current density (voltage) range, tests were conducted with an Electrolytic
Reactor. This Reactor comprised nine aluminium electrodes, each approximately 25 em long,
5.0 em wide, and 2 mm thick conne.cted to monopolor connection. The electrodes were
placed in approximately 1.7 L of fluorinated water, with a pH value of approximately 7.2 and
a temperature of 30° C. DC power in the form of voltage was supplied to the electrodes by a
power supply, with the voltage controlled by an adjustable rheostat. The voltage levels were
set by a voltage meter on the power ·supply and confirmed with a calibrated hand held DC .
current meter. DC power was applied continuously at the predetermined voltages for
appropriate time ranging 1 minute to overnight which depends on the reactor capacity and
volume of water. The coagulated impurities formed· during electrolytic treatment were
removed by means of the settling/ precipitation. After that the electrodes were removed and
visually inspected for surface accumulations of the material deposited during the
experimental run. Coagulated water contaminant floating over the water surface or in middle
of the water was removed by the filtration assembly comprises three filter media: (a) Gravels
and (b) Sand (c) Activated powdered charcoal.
There were three main criteria on which the experiments were conducted i.e. voltage,
distance between electrodes (inter electrode distance) and electrolytic time. The number of
electrodes was kept constant for the purpose of standardization, but can be altered as per
requirement or reactor capacity. There was no need of pH adjustment ofthe water.
IPO DELHI :24-11-·2015
15:40
8
The results are shown in Tables.
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type
Distance between
electrodes
Time duration
thickness
Voltage
Parameters
Temp (0 <)C)
pH
Fluoride (mg/1)
Aluminium( mg/1)
Fluorinated water (1 0 mg/1)
1. 7 litre
9 aluminium Electrode with mono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
0.7cm
3 min
.2mm
200V
BT
30
7.93
10
0.00
AT
32
5.25
1.8
(82.0 %)
2.00
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
7.9 - -
0.9
(91.0%) 1 1.5
0.25 0.03 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtratiOn; - No standard available; % reductiOn of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and ~fter filtration given in parenthesis
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type
Distance between
electrodes
Time duration
Electrode
thickness
Voltage
Parameters
Temp (0 <)C)
pH
Fluoride (mg/1)
Aluminium(mg/1)
Fluorinated water (10 mg/1)
1.7 litre
9 aluminium Electrode with mono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
0.7cm
3 min
2 I111ll
300V
BT
30
7.34
12.5
0.00
AT
32
8.21
2.1
(83.2%)
1.25
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
7.85 - -
1.0
(92.0%) 1 1.5
0.1 0.03 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtration; - No standard available; % reduction of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and after filtration given in parenthesis
IPO DEL HI 24-11-2015 ls;ao
•
Fluorinated water (1 0 mg/1)
1.7 litre
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type 9 aluminium Electrode with mono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
Distance between
electrodes 0. 7 em
Time duration 3 min
Electrode thickness 2 mm
Voltage 400 V
Parameters BT
Temp (0c)C) 30
pH 9.19
Fluoride (mg/1) 12.5
Aluminiuin(mg/1) 0.00
'
AT
32
8.48
1.7
(86.4%)
1.25
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
7.64 - -
1.1
(91.2%) 1 1.5
0.2 0.03 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtration; - No standard ava1lable; % reduction of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and after filtration given in parenthesis
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type
Distance between
electrodes
Time duration
thickness
Voltage
Parameters
Temp (0 c)C)
J!H
Fluoride (mg/1)
Aluminium(_mg/1)_
Fluorinated water (10 mg/1)
1.7 litre
9 aluminium Electrode with mono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
0.7cm
1 min
2mm
400V
BT
30
7.68
11.25
0.00
AT
33
7.92
5.67
(49.6%)
1.16
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
6.67 - -
2.1
(81.33%) 1 1.5
0.48 0.03 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtration; - No standard available; % reduction of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and after filtration given in parenthesis
IPO DELHI 2Ll-ll-·201S lS·fi:P
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type
Distance between
electrodes
Time duration
thickness
Voltage
Parameters ·
Temp ehc)
pH
Fluoride (mg/1)
Aluminium (mg/1)
Fluorinated water (1 0 mg/1)
1. 7 litre
9 aluminium Electrode wilh lllono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
0.7cm
5 min
2mm
400V
BT
30
7.5
10.5
0.00
AT
35
8.14
1.45
(86.19%)
1.89
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
6.87 - -
0.95
(90.95%) 1 1.5
0.19 0.03 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtratiOn; - No standard available; % reductiOn of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and after filtration given in parenthesis
. Distance Experimental results
Fluorinated water (10 mg/1)
1. 7 litre
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type 9 aluminium Electrode with mono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
Distance between
electrodes
Time duration
thickness
Voltage
Parameters
Temp (0 c)C)
pH
Fluoride (mg/1)
Aluminium (mg/1)
0.5 em
3 min
2mm
400V
BT
30
7.7
11.25
0.00
AT
36
7.98
1.3
(88.44%)
1.81
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
7.2 - -
1.1
(90.22%) 1 1.5
0.23 0.03 .. 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtration; - No standard available; % reductiOn of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and after filtration given in parenthesis
IPO DELHI 24-1- 1-201~- 1· s:4lull
Sample name
Volume of sample
Electrode Type
Distance between
electrodes
Time duration
thickness
Voltage
Parameters
Temp (0hC)
pH
Fluoride (mg/1)
Aluminium (mg/1)
Fluorinated water (1 0 mg/1)
1. 7 litre
9 aluminium Electrode with mono polar connection (Parallel order)
(Only side electrodes were attached)
2.0cm
3 min
2mm
400V
BT
30
7.69
10.0
0.00
AT
34
7.75
1.67
(83.3%)
2.1
BIS standards for DW
AF Desirable Permissible
- - -
6.89 - -
1.26
(87.4%) 1 1.5
0.25 0.03 0.2
BT: Before treatment; AT: After treatment and AF: After filtration; - No standard available; % reduction of
fluoride content after electrolytic treatment and after filtration given in parenthesis

We Claim:
1. An Electrolytic treatment system for defluoridation of water ·comprising an
electrolytic reactor (102), optionally in conjunction with a filtration assembly (107).
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a powt::r supply
(101), electrolytic reactor (102), magnetic stirrer (103), optionally peristaltic pump
(1 05); vacuum pump (1 06); filtration assembly (1 07), finally treated water collector
(111).
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrolytic reactor is having
electrodes assembled in parallel mode, a side electrode as an anode surface and the
other side electrode as a cathode surface ; and all the middle elt::clrodes each having
surface area equal to said anode and cathode surface area without connection to the
power supply.
4. The electrolytic reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said anode and cathode are
placed within the same inter electrode distance of 0.5 to 2.0 em and is operable at the
voltage between 50 to 500 V and at different time ranges depending on the volume of
water and type of water sample.
5. The electrolytic reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said anode and cathode are
preferably operated at 0.7 em.
6. The electrolytic reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reactor comprises: negative
and positive terminal of power supply (101) connected to electrode assembly (104)
housed in the electrolytic reactor (102), placed on the magnetic stirrer (103) wherein
electrolytic reactor (102) can be optionally connected.to the peristaltic pump (105)
which in tum is connected to the filtration assembly (1 06), which in turn is connected
to the finally treated water collector (111) ofthe said system.
7. The electrolytic reactor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrodes (anode and
cathode) are made of aluminium alloy and wherein said electrodes are connected in
parallel in electrode assembly with monopolar or a bipolar connection,
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coagulated impurities formed during
electrolytic treatment are removed by means of the settling/ precipitation based on the
generated coagulant.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtration assembly comprises of (a)
Gravel (b) Sand (c) Activated powdered charcoal or a combination thereof.
10. Jhe system as claimed in claim 1, which is capable of removing fluoride and bringing
it below the desirable (1.0 mg/) and permissible limit (1.5 m/1) ofBIS standard.
IPO DELHI 24-11-2015 15:4d3
11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the treatment is capable of removing
fluoride to up to preferably 0.9 mg/l from water.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtration assembly is capable of
removing aluminum from electrolytic treated fluorinated water within the permissible
limit (0.2 mg/1) of BIS standard.
13. A process of treatment of water, wherein the process comprises of the steps of (a)
treating water at a voltage of 50 to SOOV in the electrolytic reactor (102) for a
desirable period of time and (b) removing the flocculants I coagulants by settling the
flocculates/coagulates settle for appropriate time period ranging from 30 minutes to
overnight; thereafter removing the residual micro coagulant I flocculent optionally by
a filtration assembly.
14. A process of treatment of water as claimed in claim 1, wherein the process of water
treatment is capable in removing the fluoride content at the optimum voltage 300 V
and for 3 min electrolytic time ..
15. · A process of treatment of water as claimed in claim 13, wherein the filtration process
comprises of using a peristaltic pump and /or a vacuum pump as per the requirement.