Catalytic Decomposition of Organic Anions in Alkaline Radioactive Waste: 1. EDTA Oxidation

Abstract

Decomposition of ethylenediaminetetraacetate in alkaline solutions with H2O2, Na2S2O8, NaClO, and NaBrO was studied titrimetrically. EDTA is oxidized in solutions heated above 60°C in the presence of cobalt salts at stepwise addition of excess H2O2. The reaction between persulfate and EDTA has an induction period decreasing with increasing NaOH concentration and temperature and with decreasing initial EDTA content or with adding AgNO3, K4Fe(CN)6, or NaNO2. The process involves thermal dissociation of the persulfate ions into radical ions and the subsequent development of a chain reaction. Hypochlorite ions oxidize EDTA in 0.5-5.0 M NaOH at 25-60°C. The process efficiency can be improved by fractional addition of the oxidant in the presence of Co(II) or Ni(II) salts. EDTA is oxidized in alkaline solutions with hypobromite ions only on heating to 95°C. Salts of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) accelerate the process.