Electrochemical process for removing nitrate from drinking water by Taguchi model

Abstract

The use of nitrogenous fertilizers, detergents, the food industry, the power industry, and nuclear fuels are all man-made causes of nitrate pollution. High nitrate levels in drinking water (>50 mg/L) cause blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia), particularly in children, as well as the development of carcinogenic nitrosamines. The goal of this applied-analytical research is to see how well a batch electrochemical (E) reactor with monopolar electrode mode can remove nitrate from urban drinking water. The effects of several operational factors on nitrate removal were investigated, including current density, electrode material, pH, and time. The efficacy of nitrate removal is investigated under various working conditions including current density (1–8 mA/cm2), electrode material (aluminum, copper, iron, steel, and zinc), pH (6–8), and time (5–40 min). The amount of nitrate in the body is measured using a process outlined in standard standards (4500-NO3-B). At comparable experimental circumstances, As–As anode–cathode electrodes generate the lowest nitrate removal (0.1%), whereas Zn–Cu anode–cathode electrodes provide the maximum nitrate removal (100%). Batch tests revealed that employing zinc–copper as the anode–cathode electrode configuration resulted in the most nitrate elimination. The increase in current density from 1 to 8 mA/cm2 at the optimal electrode and pH resulted in a 62%–100% improvement in nitrate removal. The increase in duration from 5 to 40 min at the optimal electrode and pH resulted in a 33%–100% increase in nitrate removal. The researchers discovered that increasing current density, electrolysis duration, and pH improved nitrate removal efficiency. As a result of batch tests, the electrochemical reactor seems to be effective in removing nitrate from drinking water and might be regarded a viable method for treating nitrate-polluted water. It was suggested that a bio- electrochemical reactor be investigated.