Electrochemical Engineering

Electrochemical EngineeringEStudy and development of electrochemical processes and reactors for treatment of industrial effluents containing toxic metals and pollutant organics, water treatment, metal recovery, and electrosynthesis.
In this research line we develop flow electrochemical reactors using flat plane electrodes (filter-press reactors) and three-dimensional (fixed, fluidized, spouted, vortex and pulsed bed) electrodes, aiming their application in different industrial processes, always focusing in sustainable and environmentally friendly processes.

Examples of applications include the treatment of effluents containing toxic metals, with simultaneous metal recovery (urban mining concept) and the degradation of organic pollutants in parallel with hydrogen production, aiming the water reuse and a clean energy matrix.

Ongoing Projects

  • Development of electrochemical reactors for organic pollutants degradation and CO2 conversion into added-value chemicals
  • Green hydrogen production from the electrochemical treatment of industrial effluents (CNPq)
  • Rethinking the water electrolysis: Producing hydrogen and ammonia from the treatment of industrial effluents (CNPq)

Concluded Projects

  • Electrochemical degradation of pollutant organic compounds using RVC/PbO2 three-dimensional electrode (2015) - FAPESP
  • Silver recovery from photographic wastewater by electrodeposition (2012) - CNPq
  • Continuous hydrometallurgical process for zinc recovery using spouted bed electrochemical reactor (2012) - CNPq
  • Determination of the limiting current in electrochemical treatment processes of effluents containing toxic metals and organic pollutants (2011) - FAPESP
  • Electrochemical degradation of phenolic compounds present in oil industry effluents (2011) - FAPESP
  • Electrodeposition and electrocoagulation of copper ions in fluidized and spouted bed reactors for the treatment of industrial effluents (2010) - CNPq
  • Comparison of electrodeposition and electrocoagulation processes for copper ions removal from industrial effluents using fluidized and fixed bed reactors (2009) - CNPq
  • Development of an electrochemical process for the treatment of COD analysis wastewater (2008) - UFSCar
  • Degradation of organic pollutants using DSA commercial electrodes (2008) - FAPESP