Novel Electrochemical Reduction
Bromate presence in drinking water is a serious issue. The current standard for bromate in drinking water is very stringent, less than 10 ppb. There is no such standard for chlorate yet. Harmful health effects of chlorate, like bromate, are currently under investigation. It is highly likely, based on some sources, that the amount of chlorate level in drinking water would also be restricted to a low level, just like bromate.
Chlorate reduction to chloride to meet the standard can potentially be achieved chemically but generally it also leads to the formation of other anions in solution as well in addition to chloride. Malvitech offers a process where chlorate reduction is restricted to the formation of just chloride and avoids the formation of alien anions, objectionable in some cases for process reasons.
In some processes, such as ammonium or sodium perchlorate production, it is important to control the chlorate presence in perchlorate solutions to a low level and for that reason the chlorate reduction to chloride is an essential step of the overall perchlorate manufacturing process. The chemical reduction of chlorate in this case results in the introduction of unwanted anions in process solutions as well, thereby forcing their removal from the process solutions as much as possible, making the chlorate reduction process tedious and cumbersome. Malvitech process avoids formation of alien ions in this application, leading to a simpler and more cost-effective process while eliminating generation and disposal of solid waste. The process is also applicable to several other situations similar to the chlorate reduction.