The Technology
Purification of water or waste water from nitrates and other ions can be done using ion exchange and other processes which consume large amounts of salts, acids or bases and produce highly concentrated brines that are difficult to treat. In addition, membrane regeneration is expensive and consumes energy.
Removal of perchlorate and nitrate ions from water and wastewater and their reduction into environmentally friendly Cl- ions and N2 gas at no consumption of chemicals (except the H2 gas and air) and without production of brines is possible using micro-scale capacitive-faradaic adsorbing fuel cells based on activated carbon particles with platinum catalyst. Ions entrapment can be designed as needed for the specific pollutant. Regeneration of the saturated system is performed by dissolution of hydrogen gas in a portion of water and its subsequent oxidation that results in release of anions into an aqueous solution (i.e. formation of concentrate). The concentrate is not highly salty hence easy to treat using bacteria for example.
Advantages
- The process is suitable for numerous types of ions
- Environmentally friendly regenerative process
Applications and Opportunities
- Water and waste-water purification systems
Business Development Contacts