This research program involves the use of advanced oxidative processes(AOPs) to degrade PCBs and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). AOPs utilize O2, H2O2, TiO2, UV light, electrons, iron or other oxidizing compounds to produce free radicals which indiscriminately destroy organic matter. The following set of reactions illustrates several reactions that can lead to the generation of free radials (OH.).
AOPs destroy PCBs and other organic compounds in various media. This process is currently being used in the commercial treatment of air and water.
Advantages of advanced oxidative processes include on-site treatment at ambient conditions, potential for complete mineralization of the contaminant, low capital investment, low energy requirements, no land filling or hazardous by-products, permanent solutions with no further liability, possible in situ applications, and it is safe and simple.
Electrochemical peroxidation (ECP) is an advanced oxidative process developed by SUNY at Oswego researchers which uses electricity, steel electrodes, and peroxide to degrade PCBs and VOCs. The dominant mechanism for this process is Fenton's Reagent enhanced by electricity. Fenton's reagent creates free radicals which can participate in reactions which indiscriminately oxidize available organic matter. The following series of reactions illustrates the processes.
ECPs can effectively and economically degrade low PCB concentrations in soil, sediments, and dredged slurries. ECPs have reduced treatment time from hours to minutes to degrade PCBs in sediment and water. Researchers at Oswego have conducted a series of ECP experiments on sediment contaminated with approximately 65 ppm of PCBs from the Superfund site in Massena. To see a graph of the results click here.
ERC researchers have also conducted bench scale experiments, degrading more than 95% of PCBs in liquids and 68% of PCBs in slurries from a subsurface storage tank (SST) from a state Superfund site. These series of experiments were up-scaled using 200 L of the SST water, and resulted in 85% reduction of PCBs. Click here to see graphs on the degradation of PCBs.
Bench scale experiments were also conducted separately on liquids and slurries from the SST to examine the reduction of VOCs. Click here to see illustrations on the degradation of VOCs.
ECPs have also been used on well water and sediment contaminated with petroleum from the Onondaga Nation. Click here to see graphs on the degradation of VOCs.
Other applications for electrochemical peroxidation under investigation include PCB surface decontamination, dye decoloration, destruction of benzene, toluene and xylene in ground water, simultaneous metal removal and organic destruction, vapor phase treatment and waste water treatment.
