Electrochemical Wastewater Treatment for Industrial Applications

Electrochemical wastewater treatment for industrial applications

 

D. Woisetschläger¹⁾, M. Siebenhofer²⁾

¹⁾ VTU Engineering GmbH, Parkring 18, A-8074 Grambach/Graz

²⁾ Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C/II, A-8010 Graz

dieter.woisetschlaeger@vtu.com

Electrochemical wastewater treatment (EAOP) with boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes is a universal method for the treatment of persistent water constituents. Especially in combination with physical or biological treatment full scale electrochemical wastewater treatment systems have a great potential.

The principles of electrochemical oxidation in wastewater treatment were developed and the applicability of this technology was verified in laboratory and pilot scale. The degradation trends were characterised for synthetic and industrial wastewater effluents. The influence of the water matrix and the operating parameters were monitored and analysed. Boron-doped diamond electrodes prove to be a highly appropriate electrode in terms of oxidation power, application and stability. Full scale electrolysis cells equipped with BDD-electrodes were constructed with a maximum electrode area of 3.6 m² per cell. With this electrode configuration the purification of a variety of industrial wastewaters was successful. Side reactions and the formation of side products due to chloride, carbonate or ammonium load were also investigated.

The results of the research activities confirm that electrochemical wastewater treatment is a highly reliable technology for manifold industries.