Laboratory experiments on electrochemical remediation of the environment. Part 2: Microscale indirect electrolytic destruction of organic wastes

Headnote

Jorge G. Ibanez*

Several electrochemical processes can be used for the prevention and or remediation of environmental problems (1-11). We have described in this Journal the electrocoagulation of an oil-water emulsion (12).

The objective of the experiment described below is to destroy, at the microscale level, a sample of surrogate organic waste by generating a powerful oxidizer at the anode of an electrochemical cell. This in turn will oxidize the waste to harmless products. The oxidizer can then be regenerated and recycled.

Indirect Electrolysis

The electrolytic production of an intermediate species for the oxidation/reduction of another substance is known as indirect electrolysis. Many polluting species can be oxidized directly at an electrode; however, this process is often limited by diffusion or by electrode kinetics. Potentials much higher than the standard oxidation potential of a given species...