TITLE:
Electric Field (EF) in the Core of the Electrochemical (EC) Disinfection
AUTHORS:
Djamel Ghernaout
KEYWORDS:
Electrochemical (EC) Disinfection, Electric Field (EF), Hydroxyl Radical (●OH), Electrocoagulation (ECG), Electrooxidation (EO), Reactive Oxygen Species (ROSs)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.7 No.7,
July
28,
2020
ABSTRACT: Killing pathogens by different electrochemical (EC) disinfection means has been largely reported in the literature, even if the influence of process variables and reactor conception on kill performance has not been well comprehended. This review concentrates on EC microbial killing mechanisms especially the free radicals’ contribution and the effect of the electric field (EF), which are by their nature poisonous to microbes. Some mechanisms have been suggested to interpret the deadliness of EC application. Such pathways comprise: 1) oxidative stress and cell loss of life because of electrochemically produced oxidants, 2) irreversible permeabilization of cell membranes by the placed EF, 3) electrooxidation of vital cellular constituents during exposure to electric current or induced EFs, and 4) electrosorption of negatively charged E. coli cells to the anode surface followed by direct electron transfer reaction. Future investigations have to be more dedicated to the EF influence in the EC disinfection, as it is the main part of the involved mechanisms. Employing granular activated carbon post-treatment could greatly reduce the concentrations and poisonous effects of disinfection by-products. Moreover, secure multi-barrier techniques, like distillation, plasma discharge, nanotechnologies, and membrane processes remain to be suggested, tested, and industrially encouraged. Despite their limitations, both adsorptive techniques and membrane processes persist to be an encouraging domain of research thanks to their relatively low costs and ease of applications.