Novel arrangement for an electro-Fenton reactor that does not require addition of iron, acid and a final neutralization stage. Towards the development of a cost-effective technology for the treatment of wastewater

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2018-05, Vol.199, p.251-255
• Main Authors: Fernández, Dennys, Robles, Irma, Rodríguez-Valadez, Francisco J., Godínez, Luis A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; cathodes; cation exchange resins; cations; cost effectiveness; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Electro-Fenton; Electrochemical reactor; Electrochemical Techniques - economics; Electrochemical Techniques - methods; electrochemistry; Electrodes; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydroxyl Radical - chemistry; hydroxyl radicals; Ion exchange resin; iron; Iron - chemistry; neutralization; Oxidation-Reduction; pollutants; Waste Water - chemistry; wastewater; wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Purification - economics; Water Purification - methods
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.036

A novel arrangement for an electro-Fenton reactor aimed to treat neutral wastewater is presented. The arrangement consists on three-compartments in series, two of them packed with a cation exchange resin and one positioned between these, containing a polarized activated carbon column where the electrochemical generation of the Fenton reagent takes place. While the hydroxyl radicals electrochemically produced in-situ, react with the pollutant species adsorbed on the activated carbon cathode, the resin compartments administrate and collect the iron cation and the hydrated proton species in alternating flow direction cycles. The resulting process is a system that does not require acid or iron chemical addition to the process while at the same time, renders decontaminated water free of iron-dissolved species at neutral pH. The proposed electrochemical reactor arrangement is therefore the basis for the design of commercially viable electro-Fenton reactors in which the addition and subsequent removal of acid and iron chemicals is avoided; two of the currently most limiting features for the development of electro-Fenton technology for treating wastewater. [Display omitted] •A novel arrangement for an alternating electro-Fenton process is proposed.•The reactor consists on polarized activated carbon and ion exchange resin sections.•The system avoids acid or iron addition rendering iron-free water at neutral pH.•The approach points to the development of competitive electro-Fenton technology.