Development and optimization of Biolargo's electrochemical advanced oxidation system for the treatment of municipal wastewater loaded with refractory pharmaceutical compounds

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This research project involving Center of Water Technology (CTE) and BioLargo Water Inc is based on acollege-industry collaboration. The occurrence and persistence of pharmaceutical products (PPs) in the aquaticecosystems lead to a negative effect on human life and cause troubles on aquatic systems. BioLargo isdeveloping a novel electrochemical technology for water treatment termed the Electrochemical AdvancedOxidation System (EAOS). The EAOS process having "six chamber" uses flow-through electrodes, with thewater flowing sequentially through an expanded graphite anode, a porous separator and an expanded graphitecathode. This R&D project aims to demonstrate the economic and environmental interest of the innovantEAOS technology in the particular case for the PPs treatment. The research project will be structure accordingto the following four steps. The first activity aims to evaluate and characterize the EAOS reactor having sixchamber in terms of its ability to simultaneously produce ROS (H2O2, OHo, etc). The second activity willconsist to develop and to optimize the EAOS efficiency to oxidize the PPs. The performance of the EAOS willevaluated under different conditions (current density, electrolysis time, pH, type of electrodes, PPsconcentrations, etc). The optimization essays will conducted in batch and continuous operation mode. The thirdactivity will consist to evaluate and to optimize the efficiency of the EAOS to treat municipal wastewater(MWW) loaded with PPs. The fourth objective was carried out to compare conventional oxidation process(O3/H2O2) and EAOS to determine the most effective process (in term of cost-effective) in treating MWWstrongly loaded with PPs. A technical-economic analysis will be carried-out. This project will benefit from aunique expertise combining electrochemical oxidation techniques and analysis of emergent contaminants, andan already operational R&D infrastructures, an ingredient essential to the achievement of the objectives of theproject.