A SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR REMOVING ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS AND RECOVERING CAUSTIC SODA FROM AN ALKALINE LIQUID

摘要

A bio-electrochemical system and process for removing organic contaminants and recovering caustic soda from an alkaline liquid are disclosed. The system includes: an anodic chamber having an anode, wherein the anodic chamber is configured to receive the alkaline liquid; at least one electrochemically active microorganism disposed in proximity to the anode, wherein the at least one electrochemically active microorganism is capable of catalysing oxidation of organic contaminants to carbon dioxide, thereby removing at least some of the organic contaminants from the alkaline liquid to produce a partially treated alkaline liquid; a cathodic chamber having a cathode arranged to produce hydroxide ions; a cation selective membrane configured to separate the anodic and cathodic chambers and allow cations to migrate from the anodic chamber to the cathodic chamber, the hydroxide ions and cations in the cathodic chamber producing caustic soda; a bioreactor in fluid communication with the anodic chamber in an arrangement whereby the bioreactor receives the partially treated alkaline liquid and facilitates biodegradation of remaining organic contaminants in the partially treated alkaline liquid to produce a treated alkaline liquid, the bioreactor being, optionally, in fluid communication with the cathodic chamber in an arrangement whereby the bioreactor discharges at least a portion of the treated alkaline liquid to the cathodic chamber; and at least one power source configured to apply a voltage between the anode and the cathode.