A new strategy for the electrolytic removal of organics based on adsorption onto granular activated carbon

In this paper, a new strategy for the electrochemical treatment of organic pollutants is introduced. This is based on the concentration of organics by adsorption onto granular active carbon (GAC) with the consequent production of a more highly concentrated solution of organics in methanol, which is then electrolyzed. Electrolysis in methanol supporting media allows the complete removal of the pollutant and reaction intermediates. Suitable conductivity of the electrolyte was obtained simply by adding sodium hydroxide. Results obtained in the tests carried out in this work show a great improvement in the efficiency of the removal of clopyralid when using this technology, which could lead to very important energy savings. This experiment opens the possibility of using electrochemical technology more efficiently for the degradation of diluted wastes, which is currently a very inefficient process.