Efficient electrode materials are essential to convert salinity gradient energy into oxidative degradation energy and electrical energy by reverse electrodialysis reactor (REDR). In this context, comparative experiments of REDR using different anodes (Ti/IrO2-RuO2, Ti/PbO2 and Ti/Ti4O7) were conducted. The effects of output current and electrode rinse solution (ERS) flowrate on mineralization efficiency and energy output were discussed. Results demonstrated that the COD removal rate(ηCOD) rose almost linearly with output current and ERS flowrate when using Ti/Ti4O7 anode, but excessive operating conditions caused a slow increase or even decrease of ηCOD when using Ti/IrO2-RuO2 or Ti/PbO2 anodes. The order of electrode system potential loss (Eele) for the three anodes was Ti/Ti4O7> Ti/PbO2> Ti/IrO2-RuO2. High Eele was beneficial to ηCOD but had a negative effect on the net output power (Pnet) of REDR. Regardless of the applied anodes, increasing the current and decreasing the ERS flowrate was detrimental to Pnet due to higher Eele. Based on these findings, four energy efficiency parameters were defined to evaluate energy recovery from multiple perspectives by linking energy output with mineralization capacity. They were electrode efficiency (ηele), energy efficiency (EE), general current efficiency (GCE) and energy consumption (EC), respectively. Results showed that REDR with Ti/Ti4O7 anodes and suitable operating conditions achieved the optimal energy indicators and mineralization efficiency, which provided an efficient and economical option for wastewater treatment and energy recovery.
Keywords: Anode materials; COD removal Rate; Energy efficiency; Net power output; Reverse electrodialysis reactor.
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