Imbalances in the nitrogen cycle caused by human activities (combustion, fertiliser-intensive agriculture) have resulted in alarmingly increased levels of nitrate in groundwater and other water bodies, with potentially health-threatening consequences. The electrocatalytic removal of nitrate from polluted water is a promising alternative to bacterial denitrification, provided that full selectivity to harmless N2, which can be returned to the atmosphere, is achieved. This perspective article discusses the state-of-the-art of research on electrocatalytic denitrification, critically evaluating the obstacles still hampering large-scale application of this technique. The milestones of fundamental research focussing on the cathode reaction will first be dealt with, followed by their translation into electrochemical reactors of practical interest. Finally, a short foray into the novel field of bioelectrochemical reactors will close the article. Challenges and opportunities pertaining to these three topics will be analysed.

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Powering denitrification: the perspectives of electrocatalytic nitrate reduction

Ammonia removal in electrochemical oxidation: Mechanism and pseudo-kinetics

Efficient electrochemical reduction of nitrate to nitrogen using Ti/IrO2―Pt anode and different cathodes

Simultaneous reduction of nitrate and oxidation of by-products using electrochemical method.

Electro-oxidation of reverse osmosis concentrates generated in tertiary water treatment.

Influence of operating conditions on the ammonia electro-oxidation rate in wastewaters from power plants (ELONITA technique).

Power plant effluents contain ammonia and nitrate. Therefore, Laborelec, in co-operation with the University of Louvain (UCL, Belgium), refined a technique involving the electrochemical destruction of nitrate and ammonium ions with a view to transforming them into nitrogen gas. This technology employs an electrochemical cell with suitable electrons that favour the desired reactions

Yves Vanlangendonck

Papers

Influence of operating conditions on the ammonia electro-oxidation rate in wastewaters from power plants (ELONITA technique).

Electro-degradation of nitrate ions and ammonia from power station effluents : The ELONITA technique