Reactor for recovering phosphate salts from a liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a reactor ( 10 ) for completely separating phosphate from a liquid and for recovering phosphate salts, comprising a housing ( 12 ) and two electrodes having differing polarities, wherein a sacrificial anode ( 16 ) made of a magnesium-containing material and an inert cathode ( 18 ) are arranged concentrically inside the housing ( 12 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A reactor for complete crystallization and recovery of MAP (magnesium ammonium phosphate) and PMP (potassium magnesium phosphate) from a liquid and recovery of phosphate salts, the reactor comprising:
 a housing;   a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes have different polarity;   wherein the first electrode is a sacrificial anode of a magnesium-containing material;   wherein the second electrode is an inert cathode;   wherein the sacrificial anode and the inert cathode are arranged concentrically relative to each other;   a return line connected to the housing, wherein seed crystals are supplied to the reactor via the return line.   
     
     
         13 . The reactor according to claim  11 , wherein the housing is comprised of an electrically conducting material and serves as the inert cathode. 
     
     
         14 . The reactor according to claim  11 , wherein the sacrificial anode is comprised of magnesium. 
     
     
         15 . The reactor according to claim  11 , further comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a removal device. 
     
     
         16 . The reactor according to  claim 15 , wherein the return line branches off the outlet or branches of the removal device. 
     
     
         17 . The reactor according to claim  11 , that the reactor is flowed through in vertical direction from the bottom to the top. 
     
     
         18 . The reactor according to claim  11 , wherein the reactor is flowed through in vertical direction from the top to the bottom. 
     
     
         19 . The reactor according to claim  11 , further comprising a filter that separates crystals of MAP, PMP, and phosphate salts from the liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The reactor according to claim  11 , wherein the housing of the reactor is closed. 
     
     
         21 . The reactor according to claim  11 , wherein the housing of the reactor is open. 
     
     
         22 . The reactor according to claim  11 , comprising a slanted bottom. 
     
     
         23 . The reactor according to claim  11 , comprising a direct current source, wherein a positive pole is connected to the sacrificial anode and a negative pole is connected to the inert cathode.