Electrochemical Oxidation of Phenolic Wastewaters

摘要

The electrochemical depolluation is a very efficient and economic method, suitable when the waste waters contains toxic or non-biodegradable organic pollutants. This paper describes the anodic oxidation of phenol with simultaneous oxygen evolution. The oxidation has been carried out on a Pt/Ir anode under galvanostatic conditions. The reaction products were extracted in cyclohexanone and then analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results showed that phenol was oxidised to hydroquinone, benzoqulnone and other organic compounds (oxalic acid, maleic acid). The studies were conducted comparatively with three different phenol solutions as an attempt to clarify the influence of the concentration upon the conversion of phenol.