US 12,703,650 B2 · Apparatus and methods for nitrogen reduction in wastewater

Abstract

An apparatus and method for extracting nitrogen including compounds from wastewater is disclosed herein. The methods and apparatus use molecularly designed selective electrocatalysts, electrolytes, and separation reactors to enable automated, distributed ammonia manufacturing with minimal environmental impacts. In some embodiments, a method of nitrogen reduction of wastewater is provided. The method includes: providing an apparatus including: a first chamber comprising a salt solution; a second chamber comprising a wastewater source; a third chamber comprising a salt solution and a third electrode, wherein the second chamber is positioned between the first chamber and the third chamber; an anion exchange membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a cation exchange membrane positioned between the second chamber and the third chamber; applying a potential bias between any two of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for nitrogen reduction of wastewater comprising:

a first chamber comprising a salt solution and a first electrode;
a second chamber comprising a wastewater source and a second electrode;
a third chamber comprising a salt solution and a third electrode, wherein the second chamber is positioned between the first chamber and the third chamber;
an anion exchange membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber;
and
a cation exchange membrane positioned between the second chamber and the third chamber,
wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to a first switch, the second electrode is electrically connected to a second switch, and the third electrode is electrically connected to a third switch,
wherein each of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are electrically connected to a voltage source, and
wherein any two of the first switch, the second switch, or the third switch are configured to engage to create a potential bias between their corresponding chambers.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for nitrogen reduction in wastewater

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for nitrogen reduction in wastewater

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20