Procedure for obtaining ammonium from nitrates and nitrites by electrolysis with electrodes of iron/oxidized iron materials

摘要

Procedure for obtaining ammonium from nitrates and nitrites by electrolysis with electrodes of iron/oxidized iron materials, which involves the use of electrodes of iron/oxidized iron, generating said oxide by chemical or electrochemical means. In order to produce the electrocatalytic reduction of the nitrite ion to ammonium on an oxidized electrode, the polarities of the iron electrodes are alternated. The step from nitrate to nitrite is carried out by simple electrolysis on the same electrodes. This ammonia synthesis system improves that of Haber-Bosch since it does not necessarily require control of high pressures and temperatures and can be carried out in cells of variable sizes, fixed or portable. The procedure can be employed in iron pipes. It has application in the manufacture of ammonia in solution, in the production of fertilizers for agriculture and in the elimination of nitrates and nitrites in water.