Processes for the recovery of cyanide from aqueous thiocyanate solutions and detoxication of aqueous thiocyanate solutions

摘要

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.