This invention relates to the field of
water treatment technology and discloses an intermittent electrocatalytic treatment method for trace
estrogen in
reclaimed water. The method is carried out in a three-dimensional
electrode reactor. Before formal treatment, a pre-
treated water sample containing the
estrogen to be removed is used to pre-saturate the particle
electrode. Subsequently,
reclaimed water containing one or more estrogenic pollutants is continuously introduced into the reactor, operating at a
current density of 1.0–10.0 mA / cm², a
hydraulic retention time of 5–20 min, and an
aeration rate of 0–3.0 L / min. An
intermittent power supply mode with alternating power on and off is employed, wherein the ratio of power on time to power
off time is 1:1, and the power
off time is 2–120 s. During the power off phase, the
estrogen to be removed accumulates on the surface of the particle
electrode. During the power on phase, the particle electrode repolarizes to form a micro-battery and undergoes electrochemical oxidation in conjunction with the
anode, causing direct oxidation and / or indirect oxidation mediated by an electrogenerated oxidant, while the particle electrode achieves in-situ regeneration. The method is applicable to the treatment of
trace amounts of estrogens in
reclaimed water, preferably one or more of
estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2),
estriol (E3), 17α-
ethinylestradiol (EE2), and
bisphenol A (BPA). This invention can reduce the artificially inflated
impact of adsorption on the evaluation of treatment effectiveness, and reduce
energy consumption while ensuring treatment efficiency.