Electrochemical method and apparatus for producing and separating ferrate (VI) compounds

1. A method for separating ferrate salts from a solution, comprising:

providing contact between the solution and a surface having a magnetic attraction;

magnetically securing the ferrate salts to the surface; and

eliminating contact between the solution and the surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing contact is selected from immersing the surface in the solution, passing the liquid ferrate mixture over the surface, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution consists essentially of aqueous hydroxide and the ferrate salts.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution consists essentially of one or more aqueous hydroxides, one or more alcohols and a ferrate salt.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic attraction is induced by one or more magnets selected from permanent magnets, electromagnets, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the surface is a non-magnetic material covering the magnets.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface is constructed of the one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets, or combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of eliminating contact comprises:

withdrawing the surface out of the solution with the ferrate salts secured to the surface.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the surface is the surface of a shape selected from a drum, a cylinder, a chain, a belt, a plate and a sphere.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

after withdrawing the surface out of the solution, washing the ferrate salts secured to the surface with alcohol.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the alcohol is selected from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solution is contained within a reservoir, a tank, an electrochemical cell chamber, a pipe or a pool.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing contact includes passing the solution over the surface in a contact area by contact means selected from spraying, pumping, dumping, misting, and pouring, and wherein the step of eliminating contact includes moving the surface out of the contact area.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

moving the surface though an alcohol wash area; and

spraying an alcohol onto the ferrate particles secured to the surface.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alcohol is selected from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface is selected from a plate, a belt, or a chain.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing the ferrate salts from the surface.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the magnetic attraction is induced by electromagnets, and wherein the step of removing the ferrate salts from the surface further comprises:

turning off the electromagnets.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

scraping the ferrate salts off the surface.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the magnetic attraction is induced by permanent magnets, and wherein the step of removing the ferrate salts from the surface further comprises:

scraping the particles off the surface.

21. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

centrifuging the solution to obtain a concentrate solution having an increased ferrate salt concentration;

removing the concentrate solution from the centrifuge; and

mixing the concentrate solution with an alcohol before the step of providing contact between the solution and the surface.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alcohol is selected from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and combinations thereof.