Electrochemical Alternatives for Drinking Water Disinfection

Abstract

Chlorination is the most common method worldwide for the disinfection of drinking water. However, the identification of potentially toxic products from this method has encouraged the development of alternative disinfection technologies. Among them, electrochemical disinfection has emerged as one of the more feasible alternatives to chlorination. This article reviews electrochemical systems that can contribute to drinking water disinfection and underscores the efficiency of recently developed diamond films in chlorine-free electrochemical systems.

Cyanide oxidation by singlet oxygen generated via reaction between H 2 O 2 from cathodic reduction and OCl − from anodic oxidation

“…In this method, active chlorine could be generated by passing direct current through electrodes within an electrolytic cell in the presence of salts as electrolytes. In the case of active chlorine, the interest in this oxidant is based on the ubiquitous presence of chloride ions in a certain number of effluents and natural waters, making the involvement of active chlorine during electrochemical treatment possible [13]. In the Electro-chlorination system, Cl À ions could be directly oxidized on anode surface and form molecular chlorine.…”

Distribution of Nitrogen Ions Generated in the Electrochemical Oxidation of Nitrogen Containing Organic Compounds

“…Indirect oxidation, also called mediated electrochemical oxidation Objective The complete oxidation of organics to CO 2 During the last two decades, the electrochemical oxidation has been considered a promising alternative to eliminate the organic and inorganic compounds from fresh, drinking and waste waters [1,2]. This method has been considered of practical interest, particularly when the wastewater contains bio-refractory organic pollutants or micro-toxic substances, which are not amenable for an effective biological abatement.…”

Identification and fate of halogenated PAHs formed during electrochemical treatment of saline aqueous solutions

“…Further on, when sea water is subjected to EO, the typically high concentrations of bromide found in sea water may add brominated PAHs to the sum of halogenated byproducts. Concerning the EO processes in low concentrated chloride media and the dedicated electro-chlorination processes, the formation and presence of substances known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs) has been subjected to a lot of attention due to the very efficient disinfection obtained with these processes and the many possible applications in the areas of drinking water treatment and water reuse [19][20][21][22]. However, the extent of substitutional halogenation of the main organic substances as the PAHs during electrochemical treatment has so far lacked attention.…”