[Denitrification of drinking water with an active carbon-electrochemical biological reactor]

A packed bed electrochemical biological reactor was studied and utilized for denitrification of drinking water. Using active carbon as the filter, graphite plate as anode, and active carbon fibre as cathodes, an optimum reductive condition in the reactor was established for denitrification of nitrate. The test results proved that both nitrate and nitrite in the water could be removed effectively. At the case of 40 mL/h inflow, 40 mg/L of NO3-N, and 14 mA of current density, a 100% denitrification rate was achieved and no nitrite was detected. Because there is no any additional pollution in the treating process, this method is suggested to be a safety process for drinking water denitrification.