Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation (MEO) based technology. Final report

The goal of this CRADA was the continued research and development by LLNL, and the commercialization by EOSystems, Inc., of the waste treatment technology known as Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation. MEO is a non-thermal electrochemical technology developed in part at LLNL for the destruction of organic waste streams; this technology has wide applications in the government, manufacturing, biomedical and industrial sectors. The system uses an electrochemical cell to generate highly oxidizing {open_quote}mediators{close_quote} in an acidic aqueous solution, which subsequently react with organic waste and convert it to carbon dioxide and water. The broad research responsibilities of LLNL in this CRADA were the investigation of numerous cell electrode materials and materials of construction, the evaluation of the process chemistry, and the testing of a flow visualization cell and a functional prototype. Major deliverables included: a determination of suitable electrode materials, an investigation of the destruction efficiency for numerous organic substrates, the construction and testing of a flow visualization cell, and the testing of a functional prototype commercial cell. The responsibilities of EOSystems included the definition of the market and potential customers, the design and engineering of the flow visualization and prototype cells, and the commercialization of the MEO units. Deliverables included the selection of the process and ancillary systems, the design of a flow visualization cell, and the design and construction of a prototype cell. In general, most of the deliverables were met by both partners, although unexpected technical difficulties delayed some of the delivery dates and forced the adoption of a modified statement of work. However, the primary, original project goals were completed on-time and on-budget