Mediated electrochemical oxidation of organic wastes using a Co (III) mediator in a nitric acid based system

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:872328

Balazs, G Bryan ^[1]; Chiba, Zoher ^[2]; Lewis, Patricia R ^[1]; Nelson, Norvell ^[3]; Steward, G Anthony ^[4]

---

1. Livermore, CA
2. Moraga, CA
3. Palo Alto, CA
4. Los Altos Hills, CA

An electrochemical cell with a Co(III) mediator and nitric acid electrolyte provides efficient destruction of organic and mixed wastes. The organic waste is concentrated in the anolyte reservoir, where the mediator oxidizes the organics and insoluble transuranic compounds and is regenerated at the anode until the organics are converted to CO.sub.2. The nitric acid is an excellent oxidant that facilitates the destruction of the organic components. The anode is not readily attacked by the nitric acid solution, thus the cell can be used for extended continual operation without electrode replacement.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5911868
• OSTI ID: 872328
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/205/588/
acid
acid base
acid based
acid electrolyte
acid solution
anode
anolyte
attacked
based
cell
chemical oxidation
components
compounds
concentrated
continual
converted
destruction
efficient
efficient destruction
electrochemical
electrochemical cell
electrochemical oxidation
electrode
electrolyte
excellent
extended
facilitates
iii
insoluble
mediated
mediated electrochemical
mediator
mixed
mixed waste
mixed wastes
nitric
nitric acid
operation
organic
organic component
organic components
organic waste
organic wastes
organics
oxidant
oxidation
oxidizes
provides
provides efficient
readily
regenerated
replacement
reservoir
solution
transuranic
waste
wastes