ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATION OF CHLOROPHENOLS

Electrochemical 2-chlorophenol and 2,6-dichlorophenol removal from aqu eous solutions using porous carbon felt anodes was investigated. Opera ting variables including current input, ratio between electrode and so lution volumes, and initial pollutant concentration were considered in order to determine their influence on the faradic efficiency of the p rocess. The byproducts of the oxidation reaction were identified, and their concentration was determined during the electrolysis. The experi mental results showed that a satisfactory detoxification, consisting o f removal of cyclic chlorinated compounds, could be accomplished by me ans of this electrochemical method with a faradic efficiency of 30% un der optimized conditions. A mathematical model based on the reaction b etween chlorophenols adsorbed on the carbon fibers of the electrode an d hydroxyl radicals produced by anodic oxidation of water has been pro posed in order to interpret the experimental behavior of the system un der different operating conditions.