Increased energy efficiency using pulse-potential electrochemical advanced oxidation processes

Abstract

The research investigated the pulse potential effect on Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs) for benzoic acid oxidation. The current efficiency of the electrooxidation is enhanced by changing the pulse frequency and potential on electrodes. The experiments showed that there are opposing phenomena affecting energy efficiency. On the one hand, pulse potential accelerates the mass transfer of benzoic acid in an electric field. On the other hand, pulse potential increases the non-faradic current that uses energy without causing oxidation. Using the Sand equation and the electric double-layer theory, we optimized the pulse frequency and voltage amplitude to achieve the highest energy efficiency for the pulse potential EAOPs. Compared with DC (Direct current) EAOPs, the pulse potential EAOPs save 50% EE/O and have a 41 % CE for the 4_2 V cycle at 50 Hz. Therefore, pulse potential EAOPs can achieve both high pollutant degradation efficiency and low energy consumption at the same time.