Abstract: A process for the recovery of cyanide from thiocyanate. An aqueous solution containing thiocyanate is introduced into an electrochemical reactor. The reactor is activated for an appropriate time period while the pH of the solution is maintained in the range of 1 to 4. The cyanide formed can be recovered, in various ways including recovery as hydrocyanic acid. Alternatively, an aqueous solution containing thiocyanate is introduced into a suitable electrochemical reactor. The reactor is activated for an appropriate time period while the pH of the solution is maintained in the range of 10 to 12 to produce relatively harmless products, for example, cyanate, ammonia, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of cyanide from thiocyanate. An aqueous solution containing thiocyanate is introduced into an electrochemical reactor. The reactor is activated for an appropriate time period while the pH of the solution is maintained in the range of 1 to 4. The cyanide formed can be recovered, in various ways including recovery as hydrocyanic acid. Alternatively, an aqueous solution containing thiocyanate is introduced into a suitable electrochemical reactor. The reactor is activated for an appropriate time period while the pH of the solution is maintained in the range of 10 to 12 to produce relatively harmless products, for example, cyanate, ammonia, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: An electrochemical bipolar reactor has numerous conductive particles held in a fixed relationship to one another with non-conductive material wedged between at least some of the particles to electrically insulate those particles from other particles. In one embodiment, the conductive particles are separated into discrete layers by layers of non-conductive material. In another embodiment, the conductive particles are each partially covered with a layer of non-conductive material. In either case, the non-conductive material is pervious so that electrolyte can readily contact the conductive particles. The reactor has a low void volume and current leakage is minimized. The reactor of the present invention is particularly suited to process high volume wastes and can be constructed easily without machine parts. Also, the reactor can be operated over a wide range of conditions.