Electrochemical studies of a packed iron powder electrode in solutions containing corrosive anions and organic oxidants

Electrochemical aspects of the corrosion of iron by aqueous contaminants have been studied using polished disk and wire electrodes, but these model systems do not represent many characteristics of granular iron used in environmental remediation applications. Thus, an electrode design that accommodates a range of fine-grained iron was developed. Using various electrochemical methods, the rate and extent of passivation or depassivation by various corrosive solutions was studied. To resolve whether the dynamic effect of carbonate influences the kinetics of contaminant reduction, the effect of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) additions on the OCP after various periods of carbonate exposure was studied. Interactions between anions and the passive film on granular iron could affect, and could be affected by, the reduction of TCA.