Abstract: Contemplated devices and methods include an electrolytic cell having a cathode and a carbon felt anode, wherein the carbon felt anode is configured as a flow-through anode for an aqueous solution in which a contaminant is dissolved or dispersed. The cell is operated at a current density that promotes formation of oxidizing species in neutral pH to thus destroy the contaminant and at a flow rate sufficient to prevent oxidative damage of the carbon felt.

Abstract: Lipoic acid is electrochemically reduced to dihydrolipoic acid, preferably in a continuous manner and in a flow-through cell using a cathode that allows a two-electron transfer reaction in highly alkaline medium. In most preferred aspects, the reduced product is continuously removed by a membrane with preferential permeability for dihydrolipoic acid, and the cathode material is carbon felt.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented for removal and destruction of nitrate from water using an ion exchange medium from which the nitrate is eluted using brine, and in which the so generated eluent is sequentially reduced and oxidized in distinct compartments to form nitrogen from nitrate and ammonia, respectively. In especially preferred devices and methods, the reduced and oxidized eluent is re-reduced to electrochemically destroy hypohalites formed during oxidation. Among other advantages, contemplated devices and methods allow nitrate destruction with minimal concomitant production of nitrite and hypohalites.

Abstract: Perchlorate is removed and effectively destroyed in devices and methods that employ a eluting solvent in which the anion of an acid solubilizes Ti (III), which may be electrochemically generated or added in situ. Using such solvents, destruction of perchlorate is unexpectedly and several orders of magnitude faster than using solvents without solubilizing acids. In most preferred aspects, the solubilizing acid is methane sulfonic acid and/or sulfamic acid, and Ti (III) is electrochemically generated. Perchlorate destruction will then result in formation of Ti (IV), which may be present in the eluent in a subsequent elution.

Abstract: A soil remediation system includes an electrochemical cell that is configured to provide increased mass transfer and a decreased diffusion layer between the electrodes to thereby allow formation of a homogenous lead deposit that is substantially free of dendrite formation and easily removed.