A unique apparatus unique apparatus and process that uses mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) for: (1) Destruction of: a) nearly all organic
solid, liquid, and gases materials, except
fluorinated hydrocarbons; b) all biological
solid, liquid, and gases materials; c) and / or
dissolution and decontamination (such as cleaning equipment and containers, etc.) of nearly all inorganic
solid, liquid, or gas where higher oxidation states exist which includes, but is not limited to, halogenated inorganic compounds (except fluorinated), inorganic pesticides and herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, carbon residues,
inorganic carbon compounds, mineral formations, mining
tailings,
inorganic salts, metals and
metal compounds, etc.); and d) combined materials (e.g. a mixture of any of the foregoing with each other); henceforth collectively referred to as materials. (2) Sterilization / disinfection of equipment, glassware, etc., by destroying all existing infectious materials. (3)
Dissolution of transuranic /
actinide materials and / or destruction of the oxidizable components in the
hazardous waste portion of
mixed waste. (4) Generation of
hydrogen and
oxygen from MEO of materials. (5) Alteration of organic, biological, and
inorganic materials by MEO to produce other compounds from these materials. The materials are introduced into an apparatus for contacting the materials with an
electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible
redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by
anodic oxidation at the
anode of an
electrochemical cell. The oxidized forms of any other
redox couples present are produced either by similar
anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other
redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the materials molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the
redox cycle continues until all oxidizable material species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place at temperatures between ambient and approximately 100° C. The
oxidation process may be enhanced by the addition of reaction enhancements, such as: ultrasonic energy and / or
ultraviolet radiation.