Electrochemical Technologies in Environmental Protection

Code

Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

Gaining knowledge about the basic laws of electrolysis and electrochemical kinetics which play an important role in materials science and materials engineering, corrosion protection of materials, electroorganic and inorganic synthesis processes and also in modern and sustainable electrochemical technologies in environmental protection.

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- design and optimize electrochemical reactor,
- explain the electrochemical aspects of environmental protection,
- identify the benefits and limitations of electrochemical technology in environmental protection,
- explain the electrochemical processes of wastewater treatment and organic waste treatment,
- explain the electrochemical processes of gases purification and remediation of soil,
- apply the electrochemical sensors in the engineering environment.

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: Introduction. Electrochemical systems. Electrode/electrolyte interface.
2nd week: Mechanism and kinetics of electrode processes.
3rd week: Optimization of electrochemical reactor design. Electrochemical processes control.
4th week: Electrochemical technologies in environmental protection - advantages and limitations. Economic analysis.
5th week: Electrochemical processes for water treatment and organic pollutants. Anodic processes. Anodic material selection. Dimensionally stable anodes. Direct electrochemical oxidation of toxic organic compounds (complete decomposition to CO2) and inorganic compounds (cyanide and thiocyanate).
6th week: Indirect electrochemical oxidation (IEO) of toxic organic compounds.
IEO mechanism. Oxidizing agent formation. Electro-Fenton process.
7th week: Anodic removal of pesticides. Pollutant removal from organic mixtures - Selected process. Cathodic processes. Cathodic material selection.
8th week: Cathodic reduction of heavy metal ions. Direct electrochemical reduction of perchlorate, nitrate, chromate. Cathodic dechlorination of organic waste.
9th week: First test. Membrane-based electrochemical processes: Electrodialysis, Salt splitting.
10th week: Electrochemical gas purification. Electrode for direct and indirect gas purification. Removal of CO2, NOx, SO2, H2S. New process developments.
11th week: Electrochemical remediation of soil. Removal of ionic impurities. Electrokinetic removal of organic compounds. Economic analysis and benefits of electrochemical soil remediation.
12th week: Electrochemical sensors in environmental engineering. Improved electrochemical processes and products.
13th week: Electrochemical power sources for cleaner electrical energy.
14th week: Photoelectrochemical methods for removal of organic, inorganic and microbiological contamination of the water.
15th week: Second test.
Exercises: Electrolyte decomposition voltage. Electrogravimetric analysis. Electrorefining of silver. Direct electrochemical oxidation of phenolic compounds. Electro-Fenton process to remove organic compounds. Direct electrochemical reduction of nitrate. Cathodic reduction of heavy metal ions. Indirect reduction of perchlorate.

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Optional literature (at the time of submission of study programme proposal)

C. H. Hamann, A. Hamnett, W. Vielstich, Electrochemistry, Wiley-VCH Weinheim, 1998.

Quality assurance methods that ensure the acquisition of exit competences

Quality assurance will be performed at three levels:
(1) University Level;
(2) Faculty Level by Quality Control Committee;
(3) Lecturer’s Level.

Other (as the proposer wishes to add)