ELECTRODES FOR ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF NITRATES FROM WATER, METHODS OF MAKING SAME, AND APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAID ELECTRODES

摘要

A cathodic carbon fiber electrode plated with metallic iridium and an anodic titanium or DSA electrode is plated with metallic iridium or first coated with iridium oxide and then plated. According to a presently preferred embodiment, a cathodic electrode is manufactured by submersing a PAN carbon fiber electrode in an aqueous solution of 0.1 % to 3.0 % H2IrCl6 by weight and subjecting it to an electroplating voltage. An apparatus for removing nitrates from water according to the invention includes an electrochemical flow cell or a holding tank cell and an electrode system including an anodic electrode as described above, a cathodic electrode as described above, and a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. Nitrate laden water is introduced into the holding tank or flows through the flow cell. All of the electrodes are immersed in the nitrate laden water and are coupled to an electronic control circuit which impresses a voltage across the electrodes such that the voltage causes electrochemical reduction/oxidation reactions on the surface of the electrodes.