Removal of disinfection byproducts through integrated adsorption and reductive degradation in a membrane-less electrochemical system.

• Enhanced removal of DBPs is achieved in a membrane-less electrochemical cell. • Electrochemical reduction and adsorption of DBPs are integrated in the GAC-cathode. • Product analyses demonstrate the toxicity reduction of DBPs via dehalogenation. • DBPs removal is consistent in continuous experiments for extended operation. • Electrochemical treatment prolongs the use of GAC by regenerating reducing groups. Proper control/removal of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) is important to drinking water safety and human health. In this study, a membrane-less electrochemical system was developed and investigated to remove DPBs through integrated adsorption and reduction by granular activated carbon (GAC)-based cathode. Representative DPBs including trihalomethanes and haloacetonitriles at drinking water concentrations were used for removal experiments. The proposed system achieved >70% removal of most DBPs in a batch mode. The comparison with control tests under either open circuit or hydrolysis demonstrated the advantages of electrochemical treatment, which not only realized higher DPBs removal but also extended GAC cathode lifetime. Such advantages were further demonstrated with continuous treatment. High dechlorination and debromination efficiencies were obtained in both batch (82.2 and 94.3%) and continuous (79.3 and 87.6%) reactors. DBPs removal was mainly contributed by the electrochemical reduction and adsorption by the GAC-based cathode, while anode showed little oxidizing effect on DBPs and halide ions. Dehalogenated products of chloroform and dichloroacetonitrile were identified with toxicity reduction. The energy consumption of the continuously operated system was estimated to be 0.28 to 0.16 kWh m−3. The proposed system has potential applications for wastewater reuse or further purification of drinking water. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]