title: Removal of organic micropollutants from drinking water by a novel electro-Fenton filter: Pilot-scale studies.
abstract: To assess the performance of a novel 'filter'-type electro-Fenton (EF) device, results are reported from pilot-scale studies of continuous water treatment, to degrade diclofenac (DCF), a typical organic micro-pollutant, with no addition of oxidants. The novel 'filter' consisted of three pairs of anode/cathode electrodes made of carbon felt, with cathodes impregnated with iron nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3/F3O4 oxides). The best 'filter' performance was obtained at applied potential of 2 V and low water superficial velocities (∼0.09 cm/s), i.e., the mineralization current efficiency (MCE) was >20%, during continuous steady state treatment of tap water with low DCF concentrations (16 μg/L). The EF 'filter' exhibited satisfactory stability regarding both electrode integrity (no iron leaching) and removal efficiency, even after multiple filtration/oxidation treatment cycles, achieving (under steady conditions) DCF and TOC removal 85% and 36%, respectively. This performance is considered satisfactory because the EF process took place under rather unfavorable conditions, such as neutral pH, low dissolved O2 concentration, low electrical conductivity, and presence of natural organic matter and inorganic ions in tap water. Ongoing R&D is aimed at 'filter' development and optimization for practical applications.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology - Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR 57001, Greece. Electronic address: kplakas@cperi.certh.gr.
authors.forename: Konstantinos V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Plakas
authors.affiliation: Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology - Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR 57001, Greece.
authors.forename: Stella D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sklari
authors.affiliation: TEMAK AETE, DA13 Street, Industrial Area Thessaloniki, Sindos, Thessaloniki, GR 57022, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Yiankakis
authors.affiliation: TEMAK AETE, DA13 Street, Industrial Area Thessaloniki, Sindos, Thessaloniki, GR 57022, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios Th
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Sideropoulos
authors.affiliation: Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology - Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR 57001, Greece; Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, GR 57001, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassilis T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Zaspalis
authors.affiliation: Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology - Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Road, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GR 57001, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Karabelas
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000737:chemistry*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D004008:Diclofenac; D002244:Carbon; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D007501:Iron
keywords: Diclofenac; Iron-impregnated carbon felt; Neutral electro-Fenton; Pilot-unit; Water decontamination