Electrochemical Treatment of Wastewater from Biomass Gasification Process

Seonggu Hong; Al Shortani Qusay. F. S.

doi:10.5389/KSAE.2025.67.6.069

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2025 Vol.67, Issue 6 Preview Page Next Page

Electrochemical Treatment of Wastewater from Biomass Gasification Process 바이오매스 공정폐수의 전기화학적 처리에 의한 이화학적 변화

2025. pp. 69-75

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Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility and efficiency of electrochemical treatment for condensate or wastewater generated during the operation of biomass gasification systems. The condensate, produced as synthesis gas cools after high-temperature partial oxidation of biomass, contains high concentrations of organic acids such as acetate, formic acid, phenolic compounds, and polycyclic hydrocarbons, making it difficult to treat using conventional biological processes. The raw condensate in this study exhibited a COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) exceeding 40,000 mg/L and an acidic pH of 3.2. Overall, this study confirms that electrochemical treatment is a viable and effective method for degrading both organic acids and toxic phenolic compounds present in biomass gasification wastewater. The combination of NaCl electrolyte and BDD (Boron Doped Diamon) electrodes provided the best results. Unlike previous studies that required alkaline pre-treatment, this study demonstrated effective treatment without altering the natural acidic character of the condensate. Future work should focus on optimizing treatment conditions such as current density and electrode area versus volume ratio, and addressing microbubble related operational challenges to enable direct treatment of undiluted wastewater.

Keywords

Electrodes

electrochemical degradation

aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives

(BDD) boron doped diamond electrode

electrolyte

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국농공학회
Journal Title :Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
Journal Title(Ko) :한국농공학회논문집
Volume : 67
No :6
Pages :69-75
Received Date : 2025-08-20
Revised Date : 2025-09-12
Accepted Date : 2025-09-19
DOI :https://doi.org/10.5389/KSAE.2025.67.6.069

Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

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