TITLE:
Efficient Electrochemical Removal of Ammonia with Various Cathodes and Ti/RuO2-Pt Anode
AUTHORS:
Yaning Wang, Xu Guo, Jinglu Li, Yingnan Yang, Zhongfang Lei, Zhenya Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Electrochemical Oxidation; Ammonia; Nitrate; Cu/Zn; Sodium Chloride
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.2 No.4,
December
11,
2012
ABSTRACT: Electrochemical oxidation of ammonia was studied with an objective to enhance the selectivity of ammonia to nitrogen gas and to remove the by-products in an undivided electrochemical cell, in which various cathodes and Ti/RuO 2-Pt anode were assembled. In the present study, anodic oxidation of ammonia and cathodic reduction of by-products were achieved, especially with Cu/Zn as cathode. In the presence of 1.0 g/L NaCl the ammonia-N decreased from 100.0 to 0 after 120 min electrolysis at current density of 30 mA/cm2, and no nitrite was detected in the treated solution. The lowest amount of nitrate was formed with Cu/Zn as cathode during electrolysis due to its high reduction ability. Initial pH range from 7 and 9 and uncontrolled temperature were favorable for electrochemical ammonia oxidation and the ammonia oxidation rates with Cu/Zn cathode was higher than that with Ti and Fe cathode. The reduction rate increased with increasing current density in the range of 5 - 50 mA/cm2. As ammonia could be completely removed by the simultaneous oxidation and reduction in this study, it is suitable for deep treatment of ammonia polluted water.