Electrochemical membrane incinerator
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsDennis C. Johnson, Linda L. Houk, Jianren Feng
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Abstract
Electrochemical incineration of p-benzoquinone was evaluated as a model for the mineralization of carbon in toxic aromatic compounds. A Ti or Pt anode was coated with a film of the oxides of Ti, Ru, Sn and Sb. This quaternary metal oxide film was stable; elemental analysis of the electrolyzed solution indicated the concentration of these metal ions to be 3 μg/L or less. The anode showed good reactivity for the electrochemical incineration of benzoquinone. The use of a dissolved salt matrix as the so-called “supporting electrolyte” was eliminated in favor of a solid-state electrolyte sandwiched between the anode and cathode.
Claims18
A method of electrolytically remediating toxic organic compounds present in an aqueous medium forming an electrolysis solution, comprising inserting an electrolytic cell into the electrolysis solution;
- exposing the toxic organic compound in the electrolysis solution to the electrolytic cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a perflurorosulfonic acid membrane therebetween, and applying a potential across the anode and cathode for a time sufficient to remediate the toxic organic compounds present in the electrolysis solution.
A method of electrolytically remediating toxic organic compounds present in an aqueous medium forming an electrolysis solution, comprising inserting an electrolytic cell into the electrolysis solution;
- exposing the toxic organic compound in the electrolysis solution to the electrolytic cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a solid electrolyte therebetween, said anode having a substrate substantially chemically inert to the electrolysis solution having an oxide matrix thereon with additives to enhance the electrical conductivity and the chemical activity and the adhesiveness of the oxide matrix to the substrate, and applying a potential across the anode and cathode for a time sufficient to remediate the toxic organic compounds present in the electrolysis solution.
An electrolytic cell, comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a polymeric electrolytic material, said anode having a substrate of Pt, Ti or alloys thereof and oxide additives thereon to enhance the electrical conductivity and the chemical activity and the adhesiveness of the oxide additives on the substrate and an electrolysis solution containing toxic organic compounds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.