ElektroFeSitu – Trace substance elimination and disinfection - development of a 200% cell for the electrochemical synthesis of ferrate and hydrogen peroxide

Background

Due to the insufficient removal of drugs, antibiotic-resistant germs and pathogens from sewage treatment plant drains and their distribution in the environment, a new method for wastewater treatment is to be investigated. The oxidizing agent ferrate (Fe (VI)) will be produced on site and dosed into the wastewater flow directly. The reduced ferrate (Fe (III)) can also be used as a precipitant after it has been used as an oxidizing agent.

Project description

The aim of this project is the development and operation of a new type of electrochemical cell for anodic ferrate synthesis coupled with the cathodic synthesis of either the required alkali or H₂O₂ on gas diffusion electrodes (GDE). Ferrate is considered a “green oxidizing agent” because no critical starting materials are used and no persistent oxidation product is generated. Only aqueous electrolyte, electricity and (air) oxygen are required for H₂O₂ synthesis. Since commercially usable products are produced on both electrodes at the same time, the cell can be referred to as a “200% cell”. For the ferrate synthesis, the anodic dissolution of iron alloys and the oxidation of dissolved iron ions are to be examined comparatively. Then the cathode reaction (H₂O₂ vs. OH-) should be adapted to the ferrate synthesis. A laboratory-scale technical cell is to be implemented to investigate the electrode combination. The best electrode combination is then evaluated with a practical demonstrator. The effectiveness of the produced oxidizing agents with wastewater is to be examined in terms of the elimination of antibiotics and disinfection.

Das IGF-Vorhaben Nr. IGF 21766 N der Forschungsvereinigung DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, 60486 Frankfurt am Main wurde über die AiF im Rahmen des Programms zur Förderung der industriellen Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages gefördert.