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J ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATION 276 Alternative nonaqueous electrolytes could be considered, such as propylene carbonate, or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). APPLICATION TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION The MEO process has not been tested with chemical agents. Related compounds have been oxidized in small scale test work: two phosphate esters, tributyl phosphate and tritolyl phosphate; and a compound related to mustard, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide. High conversions were obtained. Complete oxidation of organic compounds requires the transfer of a large number of electrons, commonly four for every carbon atom for example. The overall chemical reaction for oxidation of GB would be (in principle): The transfer of 26 electrons per mole of GB destroyed (Eq. 4) translates into a very large electric current flow and power consumption. For the destruction of 1 ton per day of GB: ⢠A current flow of about 200,000 amps for a 24-hour period would be required. ⢠The electrode potential of the Ag+/Ag2+ couple is 1.98 V; with allowance for electrical heating losses and electrode over voltages, the cell voltage would be expected in the range of 4 to 5 V. The power consumption for a 4 V cell would then be 800 kW for 24 hours. ⢠The usual electrode current density is limited to 200 A/square foot; thus the anode area requirement would be 1,000 square feet. The usual industrial arrangement is to operate several cells in series. In that way the current flow can be reduced (which is preferable) while the overall voltage is increased; the power consumption stays the same. No data are available on the rates of the chemical reactions. Very high conversion levels are required, so that the concentration of chemical agent in the reacting mixture must be very low. The size of reactor needed to meet the destruction rate required under these conditions is not known.