Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

BioLargo is developing a novel electrochemical technology for water treatment termed the AdvancedOxidation System (AOS). The treatment process using AOS has been successfully demonstrated fordisinfection at bench scale. In addition to disinfection, the AOS process can also be used for oxidation ofemergent organic contaminants, such as naphthenic acids (NAs). However, the performance of the AOS forremoving the highly soluble organic pollutants has been somewhat disappointing. There are multipleelectrochemical factors potentially affecting the decontamination process in the AOS reactor. Biolargo aims atsurveying the contribution of those factors and their effects on the degradation of NAs. In fact, an optimaloxidation of the organic can be obtained while the electrochemical system was applied in presence of an excessof oxidant species. This project aims to evaluate the type and the production rate of oxidants species in theAOS reactor and to examine the effectiveness of the electrochemical oxidation technology to degrade NAswhile applying optimal conditions. The research project will be structure according to the following two stepsover a six-month period. Firstly, an electrochemical reactor will be set-up and characterisation tests of AOSwill be investigated. To this end, several parameters such as type of anode, current density, electrolysis timeand pH will be optimised. Subsequently, the AOS will be operated under a range of optimal operatingconditions including applied current, electrolysis time in order to investigate the degradation efficiency ofemergent organic pollutants (ex. NAs). During these assays, the effect of others parameters including pollutantconcentration, pH and flow rate will be optimized for a maximum degradation of NAs. This project will benefitfrom an already operational R&D infrastructures; an ingredient essential to the achievement of the objectives ofthe project.