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 pseudo-first order model is used to describe the degradation of TCE, the first order rate constant (k) increased 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.

Electrochemical dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in aqueous solution is investigated in a closed, liquid-recirculation system. The anodic reaction of cast iron generates ferrous species, creating a chemically reducing electrolyte (negative ORP value). The reduction of TCE on the cathode surface is enhanced under this reducing electrolyte because of the absence of electron competition. In the presence of the iron anode, the performances of different cathodes are compared in a recirculated electrolysis system. The copper foam shows superior capability for dechlorination of aqueous TCE. Electrolysis by cast iron anode and copper foam cathode is further optimized though a multivariable experimental design and analysis. The conductivity of the electrolyte is identified as an important factor for both final elimination efficiency (FEE) of TCE and specific energy consumption. The copper foam electrode exhibits high TCE elimination efficiency in a wide range of initial TCE concentration. Under coulostatic conditions, the optimal conditions to achieve the highest FEE are 9.525 mm thick copper foam electrode, 40 mA current and 0.042 mol L−1 Na2SO4. This novel electrolysis system is proposed to remediate groundwater contaminated by chlorinated organic solvents, or as an improved iron electrocoagulation process capable of treating the wastewater co-contaminated with chlorinated compounds.

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Copper-64 (t 1/2 = 12.7 h) is a promising cancer treatment radiotherapy agent and combines positron emission tomography (PET). It was produced utilizing the 64 Ni(p,n) 64 Cu nuclear reaction channel. Natural nickel was electroplated successfully, 48 µm thick, onto a gold-coated copper backing slab. Bombardment of nickel plated target was performed with 16 MeV protons at a current of 200 µA. Copper-64 together with copper-61 was separated from Ni and other non-isotopic impurities by ion exchange chromatography. The method of separation of radiocopper has been improved.