(487e) Electrooxidation of Organic Pollutants with Boron-Doped Diamond Anodes: Evaluation of Process Parameters in Pilot Scale

Anodic oxidation of organic constituents with boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes has demonstrated its high potential for the degradation of persistent pollutants. Due to the electrochemical decomposition of water molecules, oxidizers are formed at the electrode surface. Especially hydroxyl radicals provide an efficient oxidizing environment for the purification of wastewater effluents.

In addition to the removal of organic substances, this project addressed the formation of chlorinated organic reaction product (AOX) and the reaction of ammonia in the wastewater. The electrochemical reactions were investigated with synthetic solutions of organic and inorganic substances at boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. The process was then validated with wastewater from dye industry, pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry and landfill leachate. Experiments were performed in laboratory and pilot scale. Figure 1 exemplarily shows the results of landfill leachate degradation. The construction of the electrolysis cells in pilot scale was based on charge and mass transport considerations with a total electrode surface of 2.1 m² BDD electrode area. The analysis of experimental results and cost estimation of operation and capital cost confirms the high reliability and sustainability of electrochemical oxidation in wastewater treatment.