Electrochemical Method Applicable to Treatment of Wastewater from Nitrotriazolone Production

Laboratory studies show that electrochemical oxidation of acidic nitrotriazolone (NTO) solutions results in complete mineralization, with ammonium nitrate as the only solution product. Other products (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide) are eliminated as gases from the working electrode. No additional chemical loading is required for the process, and electricity is the only input. The process may therefore represent a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of remediation for wastewater from NTO manufacture. Electrolyses were carried out at different applied voltages and at NTO concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05 mol/L, and the results indicate that a higher oxidation rate results in a greater charge passed per mole of NTO oxidized and increased production of nitrous oxide. Mechanisms are proposed on the basis of competing oxidative pathways that account for all products formed and the total charge passed during the reaction.