Utilization of enhanced electrolytic bubbles in electrooxidation for efficient refractory organics removal

IF 12.4 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL Water Research Pub Date : 2025-03-30 DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.123579

Zhongsen Yan , Xiaolei Chen , Huarong Yu , Fangshu Qu , Dan Qu , Haiqing Chang , Bart Van der Bruggen

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Abstract

Although electrooxidation can remove refractory organics, a significant amount of energy is required for non-selective oxidation, and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) contributes little to the process. In this study, the conventional electrolytic bubbles were enhanced to improve the performance of organic matter removal. Using humic acid as a model recalcitrant organic pollutant, a membrane electrochemical reactor (MER) was designed to separate mixed bubbles (e.g., H₂ and O₂) produced during electrooxidation with a diaphragm, thereby dividing the individual MER O₂ and MER H₂. The bubbles stability of MER O₂ was higher than that of conventional electrooxidation and aeration, which facilitated the removal of humic acid. Surfactants with different electrical characteristics were further used to enhance the interaction between the bubbles and humic acid. After the addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB 80 mg/L), the positive charge of the MER O₂ bubbles intensified, inducing the removal of 92.8 % humic acid (250 mg/L) with an oxidation rate <3.7 %. Moreover, CTAB could be reused after foam fractionation. Using zeta potential distribution theory, the initial electrical properties of MER O₂ (+) and MER H₂ (-) were clarified, as well as the charge intensification by CTAB on MER O₂ bubbles. Besides, the acidification by MER imparted initial electrical properties to the bubbles and led to the aggregation of humic acid, and the humic acid adhering to the bubbles further isolated the merging of the bubbles. The application of enhanced electrolytic bubbles offers a novel approach to reducing energy consumption in humic acid removal via electrooxidation systems.

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利用强化电解气泡在电氧化中高效去除难降解有机物

虽然电氧化可以去除难降解有机物，但非选择性氧化需要大量的能量，而析氧反应（OER）对该过程的贡献很小。在本研究中，对传统的电解气泡进行了强化，以提高有机物的去除性能。以腐植酸为模型顽固性有机污染物，设计了膜电化学反应器（MER），以隔膜分离电氧化过程中产生的混合气泡（如H₂和O₂），从而分离出单个的MER O2和MER H2。MER O2的气泡稳定性高于常规的电氧化和曝气，有利于腐植酸的去除。进一步采用不同电特性的表面活性剂增强气泡与腐植酸的相互作用。添加十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（CTAB 80 mg/L）后，MER O2气泡的正电荷增强，对腐殖酸（250 mg/L）的去除率为92.8%，氧化率为3.7%。泡沫分馏后，CTAB可重复使用。利用zeta电位分布理论，阐明了MER O2（+）和MER H2（-）的初始电学性质，以及CTAB对MER O2气泡的电荷强化作用。另外，MER的酸化作用赋予了气泡初始的电学性质，导致腐植酸的聚集，腐植酸粘附在气泡上进一步隔离了气泡的合并。增强电解气泡的应用为通过电氧化系统降低腐植酸去除的能耗提供了一种新的方法。

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来源期刊

Water Research 环境科学-工程：环境

CiteScore

20.80

自引率

9.40%

发文量

1307

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： Water Research, along with its open access companion journal Water Research X, serves as a platform for publishing original research papers covering various aspects of the science and technology related to the anthropogenic water cycle, water quality, and its management worldwide. The audience targeted by the journal comprises biologists, chemical engineers, chemists, civil engineers, environmental engineers, limnologists, and microbiologists. The scope of the journal include: •Treatment processes for water and wastewaters (municipal, agricultural, industrial, and on-site treatment), including resource recovery and residuals management; •Urban hydrology including sewer systems, stormwater management, and green infrastructure; •Drinking water treatment and distribution; •Potable and non-potable water reuse; •Sanitation, public health, and risk assessment; •Anaerobic digestion, solid and hazardous waste management, including source characterization and the effects and control of leachates and gaseous emissions; •Contaminants (chemical, microbial, anthropogenic particles such as nanoparticles or microplastics) and related water quality sensing, monitoring, fate, and assessment; •Anthropogenic impacts on inland, tidal, coastal and urban waters, focusing on surface and ground waters, and point and non-point sources of pollution; •Environmental restoration, linked to surface water, groundwater and groundwater remediation; •Analysis of the interfaces between sediments and water, and between water and atmosphere, focusing specifically on anthropogenic impacts; •Mathematical modelling, systems analysis, machine learning, and beneficial use of big data related to the anthropogenic water cycle; •Socio-economic, policy, and regulations studies.