The complexing absorption method serves as an important
wet process
for potential application in NO removal of industrial exhaust gas.
However, gradual saturation of the absorbent severely limits its continuous
operation and denitration efficiency. Herein, a membrane-less paired
electrolysis (MLPE) process was first introduced for cooperative conversion
of complex NO, thereby regenerating the absorbent. Fe(II)EDTA(NO)
was converted on the anode and cathode directly and indirectly; namely,
complex NO was not only oxidized to NO3
–, but also reduced to NH4
+, N2,
and N2O. Furthermore, NO3
– and NH4
+ acted as the potentially valuable
products for further reclamation and utilization. Compared with membrane
anodic electrolysis (MAE) and membrane cathodic electrolysis (MCE)
systems, the MLPE system achieved the lowest energy consumption and
highest conversion efficiency of Fe(II)EDTA(NO). Finally, the influences
of key process parameters on the complex NO electro-conversion were
investigated. The MLPE process provided an efficient and convenient
strategy for electro-conversion of complex NO together with absorbent
regeneration and NO resource utilization.