Continuous treatments of estrogens through polymerization and regeneration of electrolytic cells

This study proposes a novel electrolytic method for simultaneous removal of trace estrogens and regeneration of electrolytic cells for long-term wastewater treatment. Continuous treatments of estrogens estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) were theoretically and experimentally studied using an electrolytic reactor equipped with a multi-packed granular glassy carbon electrode reactor. Experimental results demonstrated that E1, E2 and EE2 were effectively removed through electro-polymerization on the granular glassy carbon (and Pt/Ti) anode counter. Polymer formed during continuous treatment was quickly decomposed and electrodes were regenerated completely by ˙OH radicals produced through the reduction of ozone. Calculated overall energy consumptions were less than 10 Wh/m(3), demonstrating extremely low energy consumptions. In addition, a mathematical model developed based on the limiting mass transfer rate and post-regeneration could represent general trends in time series data observed in experiments.