Various embodiments relate to methods and systems for removing phosphorus and/or nitrogen from water. A method of removing phosphorus and nitrogen from water includes passing starting material water including nitrogen and phosphorus through an elevated pH phosphorus removal stage. The method includes passing the water through an electrolytic nitrogen removal stage. The method includes passing the water through a galvanic phosphorus removal stage. The water produced by the method has a lower phosphorus concentration and a lower nitrogen concentration than the starting material water.

A hydrogen generator including a series of plates positioned in an electrolysis chamber. The plates are configured to generate hydrogen. The chamber has a water inlet configured to receive water from a water source and a hydrogen outlet configured to allow the hydrogen to exit therefrom. The plates include a positive plate, a negative plate, and a neutral plate. Each of the plates has through-holes configured to allow the water and the hydrogen to flow therethrough. The positive and negative plates are configured to be connected to positive and negative terminals, respectively, of an electrical power source. The water inside the chamber forms an electrical connection between the positive and negative plates that splits the water into the hydrogen and oxygen.

Provided is a fluid-permeable electrode having an open-cell structure and having: a layer of an electroactive material deposited on a surface of an open cell substrate that is formed of a material that differs from the electroactive material; or a fluid-permeable electrode having an open-cell structure and consisting of an electroactive material.

Embodiments of the present invention encompass electrodes, electrochemical cells, electrocoagulation systems, and methods using the electrodes, electrochemical cells, electrocoagulation systems. The electrodes may be used in electrocoagulation cells and/or systems to treat water.

An electrochlorination system comprises a source of feed fluid, a product fluid outlet, and a plurality of electrochemical cells connected fluidically between the source of feed fluid and the product fluid outlet. The system is configured to operate at least one of the plurality of electrochemical cells at one of a first current density or a first flow rate, and to operate another of the plurality of electrochemical cells at a second current density or second flow rate different from the respective first current density or first flow rate.

An electrochemical contaminant remediation system includes a conditioning tank and a flow-through electrochemical reactor. The flow-through electrochemical reactor includes a housing having an internal liquid flow-path. A first electrode is disposed within the internal liquid flow path. A second electrode is spaced apart from the flow-through or solid first electrode, thereby creating an electroactive gap between the flow-through or solid first electrode and the second electrode.

A novel cell for generating ozonated water, the cell comprises a nafion membrane separating a diamond coated anode, and a gold surfaced cathode enclosed within a cell housing with the catalyst side of the nafion membrane facing the cathode. The cell housing has a cathode housing portion and an anode housing portion separated by the membrane, each housing portion having ridges to enhance substantially even flow of fluid over the cathode and anode. The housing portions contain O-rings in grooves to prevent leaks, and alignment features to keep the electrodes aligned. The cathode and anode have an array of holes allowing fluid to penetrate to the surface of the niobium membrane. Input ports allow fluid to flow into the housing and over the anode and cathode and then out of the housing through outlet ports. The housing may also incorporate an integrated spectral photometer including a bubble trap.

A method for electrochemical treatment of water is provided. The method includes providing a flow-through reactor including a cathode and an anode, wherein the anode includes about 80 weight percent or greater of a sub-stoichiometric titanium oxide. The method further includes applying power to the cathode and the anode, passing a solution including water and a metal chloride through the flow-through reactor, and withdrawing the purified water.

A novel cell for generating ozonated water including an integrated ozone concentration detector. The cell comprises a nafion membrane separating a diamond coated anode, and a gold surfaced cathode enclosed within a cell housing with the catalyst side of the nafion membrane facing the cathode. The cell housing has a cathode housing portion and an anode housing portion separated by the membrane. The cathode and anode have an array of holes allowing fluid to penetrate to the surface of the niobium membrane. Ozonated water from the anode is channeled to a spectrophotometer integrated within the housing. The spectrophotometer creates a signal representative of the ozone concentration in the ozonated water which is utilized by control circuitry in a closed loop to maintain a stable target concentration. A bubble trap may be integrated within the housing through which the ozonated water passes before entering the spectrophotometer to remove bubbles form the ozonated water. Input ports allow fluid to flow into the housing and over the anode and cathode and then out of the housing through outlet ports.

A novel system for generating ozonated water, for example, for sterilization of medical equipment. The system comprises an ozone generating cell including a nafion membrane separating an anode, and a cathode enclosed within a cell housing. The cell housing has a cathode housing portion and an anode housing portion separated by the membrane. The housing also incorporates an integrated spectrophotometer including a bubble trap. The system includes a hydrogen water reservoir for receiving water from the cathode and an ozone water reservoir for receiving generated ozonated water from the anode. Control circuitry controls a set of pumps, and controls ozone generation in a closed loop using the spectrophotometer to provide a selected ozone concentration in the ozonated water from the anode. An output port coupled to the ozone water reservoir allows ozonated water to flow out of the system for external use.