Anodic oxidation of a biologically treated leachate on a boron-doped diamond anode

In the present study, the anodic oxidation of a leachate from an intermunicipal sanitary landfill was evaluated using a boron-doped diamond anode as a possible post-treatment to the biological one, in order to diminish the remaining bio-refractory organic matter. The influence of the dilution of the leachate sample and the applied current density on the performance of electrochemical oxidation was investigated. For the different assays performed, a comparison between the theoretical kinetic model for organic mineralization, proposed in the literature, and experimental data was done and the best correspondences were attained at lower applied current density for sample without dilution and at higher applied current density for the more diluted sample. However, the energetic most favourable treatment is attained for sample without dilution at very low current density. The DOC/COD ratio was also analysed and apparently, the mineralization of the organic matter improves with the dilution of the leachate samples.