Abstract

FELIX-NAVARRO, Rosa María et al. Cyanide Degradation by Direct and Indirect Electrochemical Oxidation in Electro-active Support Electrolyte Aqueous Solutions. J. Mex. Chem. Soc [online]. 2011, vol.55, n.1, pp.51-56. ISSN 1870-249X.

The cyanide degradation was performed in an electrochemical reactor (with anode of reticulated vitreous carbon and cathodes of graphite) with three compartments separated by a polymeric membrane. The experiments were made under different conditions; supporting electrolytic media (NaOH, NaCl, NaNO₃ and Na₂SO₄), applied potentials (3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 V) and volumetric flows of 130, 240, 480, 1058 and 1610 mL/min with recirculation. The best conditions for the cyanide degradation are: NaCl (0.1 M) as supporting electrolyte, applied cell potential of 5.0 V and volumetric flow of 480 mL/min. Under these conditions almost 100% of cyanide degradation was achieved.

Keywords : cyanide; electrochemical reactor; electrolyte; reticulated vitreous carbon; polymeric membrane.