Alternatives to polarity reversal to cope with mineral cathodic electro-precipitation: A critical review on reactor engineering factors in limiting scaling issues or favoring valuable compounds recovery
Résumé
Mineral scaling deposition can occur naturally (in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, phosphates, carbonates, etc.) while treating water, and it is an evergreen problem. Technical and economic issues pertaining to calcareous scaling in industrial plants and domestic equipment have triggered research on this topic for several decades, including via electrochemical methods. Polarity reversal has been known to be one of the most feasible techniques to mitigate mineral scaling. Nevertheless, its application is not omnipotent in all cases and conditions, while only efficient in several specific conditions. In the last couple of years, owing to technological advancements and catapulted engineering knowledge, alternatives to polarity reversal have been proposed by modifying reactor design, cathode material, and maneuvering the electrochemical operating conditions. This exploration has since widened the application range of electrolysis. Electro-precipitation that was previously seen as fiendish has only recently been considered a virtue when it can recover value-added compounds from aqueous effluents. Henceforth, this critical review will credit the application of polarity reversal wherever implementable. But more emphasis will be given to its alternative to minimize the occurrence of mineral scaling. This review will also debug the technical and engineering aspects of electrochemical reactors, in which scaling/electro-precipitation is purposefully promoted. This second part of the review will then address the recovery of precious compounds/elements from wastes in line with the international goal of circular economic implementation.
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