Electrogenerative processes for environmental applications

Abstract

The applications of electrogenerative processes which could be an alternative to current environmental treatment technologies are briefly reviewed. This process does not require an external supply of energy due to the spontaneous chemical reaction that takes place in the reactor and generates an external flow of current as a by-product. The operation is attractive in reducing operational costs, especially when dealing with solutions of low ion concentrations. Electrogenerative reactors which can be operated in various configurations and their designs are described. The rate and selectivity for particular reactions can be controlled by varying electrode potentials and with suitable choices of electrodes. This review paper aims to invoke the interest of industries to consider the merits of electrogenerative processes as a replacement for the current processes and practices. The applications of electrogenerative processes to the removal and recovery of metal ions, electrosynthesis of organic chemicals and leaching of sulfide minerals are discussed. © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.