Redox control for electrochemical dechlorination of trichloroethylene in bicarbonate aqueous media

The role of iron anode on electrochemical dechlorination of aqueous trichloroethylene (TCE) is evaluated using batch mixed-electrolyte experiments. A significantly higher dechlorination rate, up to 99%, is reported when iron anode and copper foam cathodes are used. In contrast to the oxygen-releasing inert anode, the cast iron anode generates ferrous species, which regulate the electrolyte to a reducing condition (low ORP value) and favor the reduction of TCE. The main products of TCE electrochemical reduction on copper foam cathode include ethene and ethane. The ratio of these two hydrocarbons gases varied with the electrolyte ORP condition and current density as more ethane gas generates at more reducing electrolyte condition and at higher current condition. A pseudofirst-order model is used to describe the degradation of TCE; the first-order rate constant (k) increases with the current applied but exhibits a negative relation with initial concentration. Depending on the current, electrolysis by iron anode causes a reduction in the ORP and an increase in the pH of the mixed electrolyte. Enhanced reaction rates in this investigation indicate that the electrochemical reduction using copper foam and iron anode may be a promising process for remediation of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds.