WATER POSTTREATMENT WITHOUT EXPENDABLES - PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE-BASED ELECTROLYSIS SYSTEM

An electrochemical reactor which utilizes au proton exchange membrane (PEM) as the electrolyte is demonstrated for removal of organic and ba cterial contaminants from reclaimed water. Electrochemical oxidation o f organic compounds was carried out using the following procedures: (i ) potentiostatic control of the anode below the potential for oxygen e volution at room temperature; (ii) galvanostatic control of the anode in the region of oxygen evolution at room temperature; and (iii) use o f au regenerative electrochemical unit - au water electrolyzer/fuel ce ll operating in the electrolysis mode at 90-degrees-C. The rates of ox idation of the organic compounds and their current efficiencies were e stimated. The oxidation of the organic carbon compounds was quite effe ctive in the regenerative fuel cell (water electrolyzer/fuel cell) whe n operated in electrolyzer mode. This result thus reveals that the sam e electrochemical system can be used for three functions in space stat ions and space vehicles - hydrogen and oxygen production, electricity generation and oxidative removal of organic compounds and bacterial sp ecies from reclaimed water.