Electrochemical degradation of obsolete pesticide stocks

AGRO 145

AG. Vlyssides, avlys@tee.gr1, DG. Arapoglou2, EMP. Barampouti1, and TS. Mai1. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9, Heroon Polytechniou St., Zographou, 157 00, Greece, (2) National Agricultural Research Foundation, Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products, 1, Sof. Venizelou St., Lycovrissi, 14123 Athens, Greece
Pesticides disposal can cause serious problems. Four commercial phosphorothioate pesticides (Demeton-S-methyl, Metamidophos, Fenthion, Diazinon), two phosphorodithioate (dimethoate, malathion) and two organophosphoric (Monocrotophos, Phosphamidon) were treated by an electrolysis system using Ti/Pt as anode and stainless steel 304 as cathode. A number of experiments were run in a laboratory scale pilot plant and the results are presented. For Fenthion the achieved reduction was over 60%, while for Demeton-S-methyl, Metamidophos and Diazinon was more than 50%. For dimethoate the achieved COD reduction was over 70%, while for malathion it was over 40%. For Monocrotophos the achieved reduction was over 28%, while for Phosphamidon was nearly 26%. The COD / BOD5 ratio was improved after electrolysis for all pesticides examined. As a conclusion, electrochemical oxidation could be used as a pretreatment method of the pesticides detoxification. A proposed mechanism of the electrochemical process is presented.
 

New Developments and Issues in Agrochemical Sciences
8:45 AM-11:50 AM, Thursday, August 23, 2007 BCEC -- 259A, Oral

Division of Agrochemicals

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007