In the future, mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) may be used for the ambient temperature destruction of hazardous waste and for the conversion of mixed waste to low‐level radioactive waste. We have studied the MEO of ethylene glycol and benzene, two model compounds, in an electrochemical reactor. The reactor had a rotating‐cylinder anode that was operated well below the limiting current for Ag(II) generation. Rates of CO2 generation were measured and used to calculate both destruction and current efficiencies for the process. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify several reaction intermediates. A simple model was developed to predict the time dependence of CO2 evolution.

In the future, mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) may be used for the ambient temperature destruction of hazardous waste and for the conversion of mixed waste to low-level radioactive waste. We have studied the Co(III)-mediated electrochemical oxidation of ethylene glycol, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, 2-monochloro-l-propanol, and isopropanol in sulfuric acid. The electrochemical reactor had a rotating cylinder anode that was operated well below the limiting current for Co(III) generation. Rates of CO:: generation were measured and used to calculate both destruction and current efficiencies for the process. We found that electrode separators can bc eliminated in MEO processes based upon Co(III) and sulfuric acid. Electrodes must be separated by ion exchange membranes in classical Ag(II)-based processes.