Innovation for wastewater treatment with less environmental impact
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | IVL SVENSKA MILJÖINSTITUTET AB - IVL Svenska MiIjöinstitutet Stockholm |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 875 560 |
| Project duration | November 2016 - December 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
New carbon fiber-based electrodes with an innovative Cu-Pt coating have been developed for electrolysis of ammonium containing wastewater. The work on the electrodes has been published in a reputable journal. Subsequently, we have developed larger electrodes with many fibers for use in a pilot plant. A pilot plant has been designed,built with many subcomponents are unique and have a comprehensive safety system. The pilot plant has been checked out and smaller tests have been carried out. We have developed many unique concepts that enable future hydrogen production from wastewater.
Expected results and effects
The project has provided knowledge build-up on catalytic surfaces on carbon fiber for both the university and the research institute. The work was published as a comprehensive article. To create electrodes with many carbon fibers, new questions were raised and solutions in response to these have been developed. A pilot plant has been developed that provides the opportunity to test the concept realistic scale and minor tests have been made. A common IP strategy has been adopted. Follow-up projects have been applied for with existing and new partners.
Planned approach and implementation
The work has been more complex and with many unforeseen difficulties. At the same time new results that reduce the need for precious metal on the electrode surfaces have been discovered. Upscaling to larger electrodes has also taken more time and included unexpected issues. Decisions were made on preliminary results for the design and construction of the pilot. Late delivery from outside and within the project led to less opportunity for pilot-scale trials. The safety analysis we did on the pilot design also led to the need for a major investment in addition to the project.