You are here:
DESTRUCTION OF CYANIDE IN WASTEWATERS: REVIEW AND EVALUATION
Citation:
Weathington, B. DESTRUCTION OF CYANIDE IN WASTEWATERS: REVIEW AND EVALUATION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-88/031.
Description:
The report presents a review of known cyanide destruction technologies with respect to applicability, feasibility, effectiveness and cost. Particular emphasis was placed on the destruction of complex cyanides. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate a photocatalytic process to convert simple cyanides, iron cyanides and thiocyanates to cyanate using titanium oxide (TiO2) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The scope of the problem of cyanide in wastewater or leachate and the effectiveness of twelve different technologies which have been applied to the destruction of cyanide were assessed by review of available literature and discussions with industry and government authorities. Brief summaries of the problem and the current technologies are contained in the report. In general, the primary concern with cyanide effluent is its propensity to form complexes which are difficult to remove and can later break down to highly toxic forms.