摘要 |
A method for the combined removal and destruction of nitrate ions in an electrochemical cell which comprises an anode compartment containing electrolyte and an anode, a cathode compartment containing electrolyte and a cathode and a central compartment containing an anion exchange resin, the central compartment being separated from the anode compartment and the cathode compartment by an anion permeable membrane, which method comprises the steps of (i)(a) either passing an aqueous solution containing nitrate ions through the anion exchange resin in the central compartment of the cell, or (i)(b) passing an anion exchange resin loaded with nitrate ion through the central compartment of the electrochemical cell, (ii) passing an electric current through the cell in order to cause the nitrate ions captured on the anion exchange resin to migrate into the anode compartment of the cell, and (iii) destroying the nitrate ions by subjecting them to reduction and oxidation reactions to form nitrogen and oxygen or water. |