Processes for treatment of residuals
There are provided processes for treating a residual. For example, such processes can comprise treating a mixture comprising the residual, a peracid or source thereof and an ammonium salt in a reactor, with an electric field, by means of at least one anode and at least one cathode that define therebetween an electrokinetic zone for treating the mixture. Such processes allow for inactivation of at least one type of pathogen in the residual so as to obtain a treated residual.
1 . A process for treating a residual, said process comprising:
treating a mixture comprising the residual, a peracid or a source thereof and an ammonium salt, in a reactor, with an electric field at a voltage gradient of less than about 8 V/cm, by means of at least one anode and at least one cathode that define therebetween an electrokinetic zone for treating the mixture, thereby generating a temperature in the electrokinetic zone of about 62° C. to about 95° C.,
thereby allowing for inactivation of at least one spore in the residual by at least a log 5 reduction, so as to obtain a treated residual,
wherein the ratio of the concentration of peracid or source thereof to the concentration of ammonium salt is about 0.1 to about 0.5, and
wherein the peracid or source thereof is peracetic acid or a source of peracetic acid, and
wherein the mixture is treated for a time of less than about 4 hours.
2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the ammonium salt is a chloride or nitrate.
3 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated at a temperature of below about 70° C.
4 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated at a temperature of about 62° C. to about 70° C.
5 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the voltage gradient of the electric field is less than about 5 V/cm.
6 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the electric field is a direct current electric field.
7 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising simultaneous dewatering of the residual so as to obtain a treated dewatered residual and separated water.
8 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the concentration of peracid or source thereof to the concentration of ammonium salt is about 0.2 to about 0.5.
9 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated for a time of about 0.5 hours to about 3 hours.
10 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated for a time of less than about 0.5 hours.
11 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated for a time of less than about 3 hours.
12 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated at a temperature of above about 70° C.
13 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated at a temperature of about 70° C. to about 95° C.
14 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is treated at a pH above about 9.
15 . The process of claim 1 , configured to cause germination of the at least one spore, leading to weakening of membranes of the at least one spore making it permeable.
16 . The process of claim 15 , wherein the treating generates ammonia gas in the electrokinetic zone which penetrate the membranes of the at least one spore affecting DNA of the at least one spore.