Electrochemical process for the removal of bromide from California state project water

Although bromide is generally considered non-toxic at concentrations found in most drinking water sources, it reacts with a variety of commonly used disinfectants, most notably ozone and chlorine, to produce by-products that are of serious public health concern. There are not currently any demonstrated technologies that can remove bromide in a cost effective fashion. This paper examines an electro-chemical process on a pilot-scale to remove bromide from a widely used surface water source, the California State Water Project (SWP). The process consists of oxidizing bromide to bromine and volatilizing the bromine. SWP water was passed through this unit under various conditions and the bromide removal was measured as well as the formation potential for various organic by products. This study shows up to 35% of the bromide was removed and there were up to 60% less disinfection by-products measured.