Initial study of halide-tolerant mediators for the electrochemical treatment of mixed and hazardous wastes

Mediated electrochemical oxidation is an ambient-temperature aqueous-phase process that can be used to oxidize organic components of mixed (hazardous and radioactive) wastes. Problems associated with incineration, such as high-temperature volatilization of radionuclides, are avoided. Historically, Ag(2) has been used as a mediator in this process. Fe(6) and Co(3) are attractive alternatives to Ag(2) since they are tolerant of halide ions liberated during the destruction of halogenated organics. Quantitative data has been obtained for the complete oxidation of ethylene glycol by Fe(6) and Co(3). Though ethylene glycol is a nonhalogenated organic, this data has enabled engineers to make direct comparisons of activities of Fe(6), Co(3), and Ag(2). Very good quantitative data for the oxidation of ethylene glycol by Ag(2) had already been collected. 4 refs., 4 figs.