Development of an electrochemical reactor with In Situ H2O2 generation for decentralized urine treatment and electroconversion of value-added products

• Grant number: 24/20854-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Grantee: Raul José Alves Felisardo
• Supervisor: Manuel Andres Rodrigo Rodrigo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real (UCLM), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/13260-2 - Synthesis and optimization of gas diffusion electrodes using nitrogen doped graphene for in situ generation of H2O2 aimed at urine stabilization in decentralized systems, BP.PD

Abstract

The employment of advanced oxidative processes, centered on the electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), plays a crucial role in viable strategies for managing complex and realistic effluents. The proposed BEPE project aims to explore advanced electrochemical technologies for the treatment of synthetic urine, focusing on the In Situ generation of H2O2 and the application of electrodialysis for the selective separation of carboxylic acids formed during treatment. This proposal aligns with the urgent need for sustainable solutions in wastewater management, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6, which pertains to clean water and sanitation. Through systematic experiments, the project will investigate the kinetics of H2O2 production using gas-diffusion electrodes based on modified Printex L6 carbon with graphene (GDE/PL6C-graphene), as developed in the overall postdoctoral project, within a new electrochemical reactor and controlled synthetic urine matrix. By optimizing parameters such as volumetric flow and current density, the project seeks to maximize H2O2 generation while evaluating its effectiveness in the degradation of organic compounds found in urine, such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid. Subsequently, the project will employ electrodialysis to separate and recover valuable carboxylic acids from the treated effluent. This research aims not only to contribute to the field of environmental engineering by enhancing electrochemical treatment processes but also to will provide valuable insights into the implementation of decentralized wastewater treatment systems that can be applied in various contexts.