Electrochemical treatment of artificial humidity condensate by large-scale boron doped diamond electrode

Electrochemical treatment of artificial humidity condensate (AHC) in confined space has been conducted. Large-scale boron-doped diamond (BDD) film was deposited on Ta substrate by hot filament chemical vapor deposition, and its uniformity was evaluated by the Raman shift intensities on the basis of statistical analysis. BDD electrode was used as anode for the oxidation of organic compounds, and almost 98% final TOC removal efficiency of AHC was achieved. Higher oxidation rate constant, higher initial instantaneous current efficiency and lower specific energy consumption were obtained for the larger surface area electrode. Based on the detection of intermediates by HPLC and IC, a possible degradation pathway of AHC was also proposed. In addition, the potential utilization of H2 generated on cathode for fuel cell was discussed. It is estimated that about 5% electric energy can be offset the electrochemical treatment cell by using the integrated operation.