Electrochemical reactions in flowing stream

摘要

An apparatus for performing an electrochemical conversion of a reactant in a flowing fluid stream comprises a duct for the fluid stream, a working electrode 10 located in the duct so as to be contacted by the fluid stream, an intermediary substance immobilized on the working electrode, electrochemically convertible from a first to a second state and able to react with the reactant in the fluid stream to bring about its conversion into a reaction product while itself being returned to the first state and a counter electrode 20 in communication with the fluid stream. The intermediary substance may be covalently bound to the working electrode or may be a polymer layer deposited thereon. The apparatus may further comprise a reference electrode 22 in communication with the fluid stream and means to apply a potential 24, constant relative to the reference electrode, to the working electrode. The apparatus may be used to treat water used for hydraulic fracturing. Also disclosed is a method of electrochemically converting a reactant in a flowing fluid stream into a reaction product.