Abstract:
A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat, oxidize and destroy food waste materials, such as manure, biological residue, hay, straw, animal byproducts, bones, horns, blood, biological items, pathological waste and combined waste. Food waste is introduced into an apparatus (5b) for contacting the waste with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced by anodic oxidation in an electrochemical cell (25). The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the organic waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The process takes place at temperatures between zero degrees centigrade and below the boiling point of the electrolyte.
Abstract:
A unique apparatus unique apparatus and process that uses mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) for: (1) Destruction of: a) nearly all organic solid, liquid, and gases materials, except fluorinated hydrocarbons; b) all biological solid, liquid, and gases materials; c) and/or dissolution and decontamination (such as cleaning equipment and containers, etc.) of nearly all inorganic solid, liquid, or gas where higher oxidation states exist which includes, but is not limited to, halogenated inorganic compounds (except fluorinated), inorganic pesticides and herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, carbon residues, inorganic carbon compounds, mineral formations, mining tailings, inorganic salts, metals and metal compounds, etc.); and d) combined materials (e.g. a mixture of any of the foregoing with each other); henceforth collectively referred to as materials. (2) Sterilization/disinfection of equipment, glassware, etc., by destroying all existing infectious materials. (3) Dissolution of transuranic/actinide materials and/or destruction of the oxidizable components in the hazardous waste portion of mixed waste. (4) Generation of hydrogen and oxygen from MEO of materials. (5) Alteration of organic, biological, and inorganic materials by MEO to produce other compounds from these materials. The materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the materials with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the materials molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable material species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures between ambient and approximately 100°C. The oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract:
A mixed waste mediated electrochemical oxidation process (MEO) process and apparatus for the dissolution of transuranic elements (e.g., plutonium, neptunium, americium, curium, and californium), and/or compounds thereof in transuranic waste (TRUW), low level waste (LLW), low level mixed waste (LLMW), special case waste (SCW), and greater than class C (GTCC) LLW's, and also the destruction of the non-fluorocarbon (e.g., PTFE) organic component in the waste. The MEO process and apparatus operates in three different modes; dissolution, destruction, and decontamination. Non-radioactive materials combined in the waste are part of the mixed waste. The principle components of mixed waste of concern are the organic materials that are contaminated with radioactive compounds. In the first mode, dissolution, the process runs until the transuranics such as a mixed oxide or carbide, and/or mixture of oxides or carbides of uranium and plutonium are totally dissolved into solution. The second mode destruction, the process is operated such that the mixed waste materials are reduced to a CO 2 , water and small amounts of inorganic salts. The third mode decontamination, involves contaminated equipment, instruments, glassware, containers (drums and equipment). In the decontamination mode the MEO process destroys the mixed wastes that have contaminated the equipment. In the mediated electrochemical oxidation process one or more regenerable oxidizing redox couples (specified in Tables I and II) interact with the mixed waste to decompose it. The oxidizers are present in electrolytic solutions that are acidic, alkaline, or neutral, operating in the temperature range of slightly above freezing to slightly below boiling point of the electrolyte at one atmosphere.
Abstract:
A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat, oxidize and destroy organic waste materials such as halogenated hydrocarbons (except fluorinated hydrocarbons), pesticides, detergents, petroleums and paraffins, macrocyclic compounds, plastics (except perfluorinated polymers), latex, carbon residues, cyclic aliphatic compounds (such as olefins, alcohols, ketones, etc.), aromatics, aldehydes, esters, amines, hydrocarbons (including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkenynes, heterocyclic compounds, organic acids, ethers, organometallic compounds, organic radicals (such as: univalent, bivalent, or trivalent radicals derived from saturated and unsaturated aliphatics, aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic compounds) ; and combined waste (e.g. a mixture of any of the foregoing with each other or other non-organic waste). Waste materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the waste with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the organic waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures between ambient and approximately 100°C, thereby avoiding any possible formation of either dioxins or furans. The oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and / or ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract:
Sharps are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the sharps with the electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode (26) of an electrochemical cell (25). A definition of sharps is “objects or devices having acute rigid corners, edges points or protuberances capable of cutting or penetrating the skin”. The oxidized forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize sharps and the biological waste on the sharps and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized. The oxidation process will be enhanced by the addition of ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract:
A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat, oxidize and destroy halogentaed hydrocarbon waste materials and combined waste. The halogenated hydrocabon waste materials are introduced into an appartatus for contacting the halogenated hydrocarbon waste materials with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode (5a) of the electrochemical cell (25). The oxidized forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the halogenated hydrocarbon waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized. The oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radation.
Abstract:
A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used for sterilization/disinfection of contaminated instruments and infectious waste. Contaminated instruments and waste are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the infectious waste with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced at the anode (26) of an electrochemical cell (25). The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the infectious waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable infectious waste species have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures between ambient an approximately 100 degree celsius. The oxidation process will be enhanced by the addition of reaction of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract:
Mediated electrochemical oxidation treats, oxidizes and destroys biological waste, medical, infectious, pathological, animal, sanitary, mortuary, ship, veterinary, pharmaceutical and combined waste. Electrolytes contain oxidized forms of reversible redox couples produced in an anode compartment (25). Oxidized forms of redox couples are produced by anodic oxidation (25) or reaction with oxidized forms of other redox couples. Oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the biological waste molecules and are reduced and reoxidized. The redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste and intermediate reaction products have undergone oxidation. Temperatures between ambient and 1000° C avoid formation of dioxins or furans.
Abstract:
A mediated electrochemical oxidation process is used to treat, oxidize and dispose of animal waste materials. Animal waste materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the waste with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically at the anode (19) of an electrochemical cell (17). The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the organic waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized. The waste treatment process takes place at a temperature range from room temperature up to a temperature slightly below the boiling point of the electrolyte solution and can be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract:
A mediated electrochemical oxidation process and apparatus for the use of mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) for the oxidation, conversion/recovery, and decontamination (such as cleaning equipment and containers, etc.) of all previously defined inorganic solid, liquid, and gases where higher oxidation states exist which includes, but is not limited to, halogenated inorganic compounds (except fluorinated ), inorganic pesticides and herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, carbon residues, inorganic carbon compounds, mineral formations, mining tailings, inorganic salts, metals and metal compounds, etc.; and combined waste (e.g. a mixture of any of the foregoing with each other or other non-inorganic materials) henceforth collectively referred to as inorganic waste. The inorganic materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the inorganic materials with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the inorganic waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures slightly above 0°C slightly below the boiling point of the electrolyte (which is normally 100°C), thereby avoiding the formation of either volatile inorganic or organic compounds. The oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and /or ultraviolet radiation.