Electrochemical treatment and minimization of defense‐related wastes

Abstract

The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Defense (DOD) generate hazardous wastes as a result of routine operations. Waste types range from solvents, fuels, lubricants, and sludges to streams containing mixtures of these and other inorganic and organic compounds, along with potentially radioactive materials. Many of these compounds are amenable to treatment by electrochemical processes that destroy hazardous organic contaminants in aqueous streams at ambient temperatures and pressure. It is also possible to separate the radioactive components of these wastes from solution using electrochemical processes. In this article, we discuss the environmental factors and issues associated with electrochemical waste treatment processes. We summarize the federal regulations that compel government agencies to conduct environmental management activities. Applications of electrochemical processes to waste treatment and waste minimization at DOE and DOD sites are presented, and issues associated with acceptance of these processes are addressed.

Nonthermal atmospheric plasma reactors for hydrogen production from low-density polyethylene

“…In electrochemical methods, plastic waste is converted directly or indirectly by reductionoxidation reactions within electrochemical cells [18,19]. Since both the electrolytes and electrodes require replenishing [23], electrochemical methods are generally more expensive than thermochemical approaches [24]. Even though thermochemical processes are widely used in plastic waste treatment, these processes typically depict low rates of hydrogen production, limited selectivity [24,25], and low energy efficiency due to energy spent in auxiliary functions, such as cooling of gas products.…”

“…Since both the electrolytes and electrodes require replenishing [23], electrochemical methods are generally more expensive than thermochemical approaches [24]. Even though thermochemical processes are widely used in plastic waste treatment, these processes typically depict low rates of hydrogen production, limited selectivity [24,25], and low energy efficiency due to energy spent in auxiliary functions, such as cooling of gas products. Methods for plastic waste treatment based on low temperature and atmospheric pressure operation, such as nonthermal (low-temperature) plasma processes, have the potential to be more viable than current approaches [26][27][28].…”

Evaluation of Alternative Stronium and Transuranic Separation Processes

“…Testing with a pilot-scale electrochemical flow cell using simulants of Hanford and SRS LAW is described in WSRC- [Pillay 2000]). More recent research into relevant applications of electrochemical destruction for organic constituents in nuclear waste has not been discovered in this review.…”

Electrolytic Treatment of an Industrial Wastewater from a Hosiery Plant

“…The earliest reported use of electrolytic treatment was in the year 1880 in London, England ( Kuhn, 1971a ). Electrolysis has been used since that time for treatment for various wastes and wastewaters, including wastewaters from a number of industries, such as the following: textile ( Wilcock et al, 1992 ), pulp ( Kuhn, 1971a ), food processing ( Beck et al, 1974 ), petrochemical ( Clemens, 1981 ), defense ( Pillay et al, 1999 ), metal working ( Kuhn, 1971b ), slaughterhouse ( Kuhn, 1971a ), dairy products ( Kuhn, 1971b ), and landfill leachate ( Tsai et al, 1997 ).…”