Electrolytic Release of Metal Cations in Water

Abstract

Electrolytic water disinfection via metallic ions is a promising technology for water and wastewater treatment. This approach has relatively limited detrimental environmental effects and does not change the taste or odor of the treated water. The mechanisms of electrolytic silver and copper release were investigated, including the current efficiency, the relation between ion generation and current in the systems, and previously examined water chemistries. A comparison of pathogen inactivation rates and pathogen reduction for various combinations of free chlorine and electrolytically generated silver and copper ions has been previously reported. Silver and chlorine do not disinfect as well as free chlorine, but it can be used in combination with low levels of free chlorine to produce disinfection rates comparable to higher levels of free chlorine. These results lay a strong foundation to investigate the use of electrolytic systems in a developing‐world context, particularly where water from the municipal tap contains chlorine but is at risk for recontamination during storage. Upon review of the literature, it was found that more research should be conducted to understand how organic loads and water chemistry affect ion generation and disinfection kinetics in these systems.