A mediated electrochemical oxidation process and apparatus for the use of
mediated electrochemical oxidation for the oxidation,
conversion/recovery, and decontamination of inorganic solids, liquids,
and gases where higher oxidation states exist. Inorganic materials are
introduced into an apparatus for contacting the inorganic materials with
an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible
redox couples, at least one of which is produced electrochemically by
anodic oxidation at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized
forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar
anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox
couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The
oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the inorganic waste
molecules and are converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are
reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms and the redox cycle
continues.