Anodic Oxidation of Industrial Winery Wastewater Using Different Anodes

At a Glance

Metadata	Details
Publication Date	2022-01-04
Journal	Water
Authors	Yeney Lauzurique, L. Carolina Espinoza, César Huiliñir, Verónica García, Ricardo Salazar
Institutions	University of Chile, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
Citations	14
Analysis	Full AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Anodic Oxidation using BDD Electrodes

Reference Paper: Lauzurique et al. (2022). Anodic Oxidation of Industrial Winery Wastewater Using Different Anodes. Water, 14, 95.

Executive Summary

This research validates Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) as the superior anode material for the electrochemical mineralization of highly contaminated industrial wastewater, directly supporting 6CCVD’s core BDD product line for Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs).

Superior Mineralization: BDD electrodes achieved 85% Total Organic Carbon (TOC) mineralization of winery wastewater, dramatically surpassing Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO) anodes (MMO-Cl₂: 1.70%; MMO-O₂: 3.34%).
High Oxidative Power: The high efficiency is attributed to the BDD’s non-active surface, which maximizes the generation of highly reactive physisorbed hydroxyl radicals (*OH), leading to complete contaminant destruction.
Real-World Application: Experiments were successfully conducted under challenging, real-world conditions (natural pH 4.28, no added supporting electrolyte), simplifying industrial implementation.
Contaminant Removal: BDD achieved 85% absorbance decay (254 nm) and 59% turbidity reduction, confirming effective degradation of recalcitrant compounds like polyphenols and carboxylic acids (acetic, propionic).
Ion Management: BDD effectively utilized existing inorganic ions (Cl¯, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-) to generate secondary oxidants (active chlorine species, persulfate, perphosphate), further enhancing the system’s oxidative capacity.
6CCVD Advantage: 6CCVD specializes in the custom fabrication of high-purity, heavily Boron-Doped Diamond thin films (BDD) necessary to replicate and scale this high-efficiency electrochemical treatment technology.

Technical Specifications

The following hard data points were extracted from the experimental results, highlighting the performance differential between BDD and MMO anodes under identical operating conditions (30 mA/cm²).

Parameter	BDD Anode Value	MMO Anode Average Value	Unit	Context
TOC Mineralization (540 min)	85	2.52	%	Key measure of organic matter destruction.
Initial TOC Concentration	1349 ± 25.24	1349 ± 25.24	mg/L	High organic load wastewater.
Current Density Applied	30	30	mA/cm²	Constant operating parameter.
BDD Diamond Layer Thickness	2.75	N/A	µm	Material specification (500 ppm B).
Initial pH	4.28 ± 0.16	4.28 ± 0.16	N/A	Natural wastewater pH.
Final pH (540 min)	8.15 ± 0.10	4.40 ± 0.05	N/A	BDD promotes higher pH increase due to *OH radical activity.
Absorbance Decay (254 nm)	85	62.5	%	Degradation of UV-absorbing organic species.
Turbidity Reduction	59	40	%	BDD achieved final turbidity of 5.03 NTU.
ClO₃¯ Concentration Increase	9.40	Low	Times	BDD significantly increased chlorate generation.
Nitrate (NO₃¯) Concentration (540 min)	9.28	0	mg/L	BDD achieved 23x increase, indicating nitrogen compound decomposition.

Key Methodologies

The electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) was conducted using a galvanostatic approach in an undivided open cell.

Wastewater Characterization: A composite sample of Chilean winery wastewater was characterized (Initial TOC: 1349 mg/L; Initial pH: 4.28; Conductivity: 2.60 mS).
Anode Selection: Three anode materials were tested:
- Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD): 2.75 µm thick, 500 ppm Boron.
- Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO-Cl₂): Nominal composition Ti/Ru_0.3Ti_0.7O₂.
- Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO-O₂): Nominal composition Ti/Ir_0.45Ta_0.55O₂.
Electrode Preparation: All electrodes (5 cm² geometric area) were pre-polarized in 0.50 M H₂SO₄ at 50 mA/cm² for 40 min to remove impurities.
Electrolysis Conditions: Electrolysis was performed at room temperature, natural pH, and without added supporting electrolyte (salt).
Current Application: A constant current density of 30 mA/cm² was applied for 540 minutes (9 hours).
Analytical Monitoring: Mineralization was tracked via TOC decay. Degradation intermediates (oxamic, acetic, propionic acids) and inorganic ions (Cl¯, NO₃¯, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-) were quantified using ion chromatography.

6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities

The research unequivocally demonstrates that BDD is the critical enabling material for high-efficiency electrochemical wastewater treatment. 6CCVD is positioned as the ideal partner to supply the custom BDD materials required to scale this technology from the lab bench to industrial deployment.

Research Requirement	6CCVD Solution & Capability	Technical Advantage & Sales Driver
High-Performance BDD Anodes	Heavy Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Thin Films. We offer precise control over doping levels (e.g., 500 ppm used, or custom concentrations up to 10,000 ppm) deposited via MPCVD.	Guarantees the non-active surface properties and high overpotential necessary to maximize *OH radical generation, achieving the demonstrated 85% TOC removal efficiency.
Industrial Scale-Up	Custom Dimensions: Plates/wafers up to 125 mm (PCD/BDD). We provide large-area BDD deposition on conductive substrates (e.g., Niobium, Silicon).	Enables seamless transition from the small 5 cm² lab electrodes to large, high-throughput industrial AO reactor designs, ensuring consistent material quality across large surfaces.
Precise Film Thickness	SCD/PCD/BDD Thickness Control (0.1 µm to 500 µm). We can replicate the 2.75 µm thickness or optimize film thickness for specific current density requirements and target lifespan.	Optimized thickness ensures maximum current efficiency, minimizes material cost, and guarantees long-term durability under continuous high-current operation (30 mA/cm²).
Electrode Integration & Contact	Custom Metalization Services (Ti, Pt, Au, W, Cu). We provide robust, low-resistance metal contacts and backing layers for integration into electrochemical cells.	Essential for reliable electrical connection and stability, particularly during the high-current pre-polarization (50 mA/cm²) and sustained electrolysis phases.
Material Selection Support	In-house PhD Engineering Team Consultation. We provide expert guidance on selecting the optimal diamond grade (BDD vs. SCD) and doping profile for specific EAOP applications (e.g., high chloride environments).	Reduces R&D cycles by leveraging our expertise in diamond electrochemistry, ensuring the chosen material maximizes oxidative power and minimizes unwanted side reactions (e.g., halogenated organic formation).

Applicable Materials

To replicate or extend this high-efficiency wastewater treatment research, 6CCVD recommends:

Heavy Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Thin Films: Specifically engineered for electrochemical applications requiring high oxygen evolution overpotential and maximum *OH radical production.
Conductive Substrates: BDD films deposited on high-pquality Niobium or Tantalum substrates for robust industrial use.

Customization Potential

6CCVD offers full customization to meet the demands of industrial EAOP systems:

Custom Doping Levels: Fine-tuning boron concentration to balance *OH generation efficiency and electrode conductivity.
Large-Area Deposition: Supplying BDD plates up to 125 mm in diameter for high-volume reactor designs.
Laser Cutting and Shaping: Precision shaping of electrodes to fit proprietary cell geometries.

Engineering Support

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team can assist researchers and engineers with material selection and optimization for similar Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs) projects, ensuring the highest possible mineralization rates and energy efficiency.

Call to Action: For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Winery wastewater represents the largest waste stream in the wine industry. This deals with the mineralization of the organic matter present in winery wastewater using anodic oxidation and two types of anodes—namely, a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD) and two mixed metal oxides (MMO), one with the nominal composition Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 and the other with Ti/Ir0.45Ta0.55O2. To conduct the study, the variability of different quality parameters for winery wastewater from the Chilean industry was measured during eight months. A composite sample was treated using anodic oxidation without the addition of supporting electrolyte, and the experiments were conducted at the natural pH of the industrial wastewater. The results show that this effluent has a high content of organic matter (up to 3025 ± 19 mg/L of total organic carbon (TOC)), which depends on the time of the year and the level of wine production. With MMO electrodes, TOC decreased by 2.52% on average after 540 min, which may be attributed to the presence of intermediate species that could not be mineralized. However, when using a BDD electrode, 85% mineralization was achieved due to the higher generation of hydroxyl radicals. The electrolyzed sample contained oxamic, acetic, and propionic acid as well as different ions such as sulfate, chloride, nitrate, and phosphate. These ions can contribute to the formation of different species such as active species of chlorine, persulfate, and perphosphate, which can improve the oxidative power of the system.

Tech Support

Original Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w14010095

References

2019 - Constructed wetlands for winery wastewater treatment: A comparative Life Cycle Assessment [Crossref]
2020 - Sustainable energy for a winery through biogas production and its utilization: A Chilean case study
2020 - Characterization and anaerobic digestion of highly concentrated Mexican wine by-products and effluents [Crossref]
2016 - Start-up and operation of an AnMBR for winery wastewater treatment [Crossref]
2012 - Winery wastewater treatment for water reuse purpose: Conventional activated sludge versus membrane bioreactor (MBR): A comparative case study [Crossref]
2020 - Biohydrogen and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate production by winery wastewater photofermentation: Effect of substrate concentration and nitrogen source [Crossref]
2013 - Solar photo-Fenton oxidation against the bioresistant fractions of winery wastewater [Crossref]
2016 - Optimization of two-chamber photo electro Fenton reactor for the treatment of winery wastewater [Crossref]
2019 - Winery wastewater treatment by sulphate radical based-advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOP): Thermally vs UV-assisted persulphate activation [Crossref]
2021 - Effect of the addition of fly ash on the specific methane production and microbial communities in the anaerobic digestion of real winery wastewater [Crossref]