Mediated electrochemical oxidation of mixed wastes

Conference · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:10181264

Chiba, Z

The Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation (MEO) process was studied for destroying low-level combustible mixed wastes at Rocky Flats Plant. Tests were performed with non-radioactive surrogate materials: Trimsol for contaminated cutting oils, and reagent-grade cellulose for contaminated cellulosic wastes. Extensive testing was carried out on Trimsol in both small laboratory-scale apparatus and on a large-scale system incorporating an industrial-size electrochemical cell. Preliminary tests were also carried out in the small-scale system with cellulose. Operating and system parameters that were studied were: use of a silver-nitric acid versus a cobalt-sulfuric acid system, effect of electrolyte temperature, effect of acid concentration, and effect of current density. Destruction and coulombic efficiencies were calculated using data obtained from continuous carbon dioxide monitors and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis of electrolyte samples. For Trimsol, the best performance was achieved with the silver-nitrate system at high acid concentrations, temperatures, and current densities. Destruction efficiencies of 99% or greater, and coulombic efficiencies up to 70% were obtained. For the cellulose, high destruction efficiencies and reasonable coulombic efficiencies were obtained for both silver-nitrate and cobalt-sulfate systems.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 10181264
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC--112669; CONF-930873--24; ON: DE93019145
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CELLULOSE
COBALT
CURRENT DENSITY
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LUBRICATING OILS
NITRIC ACID
OXIDATION
PH VALUE
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
ROCKY FLATS PLANT
SILVER
SULFURIC ACID
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
WASTE PROCESSING