1997
February
February, 1997
An electrifying experiment
Fear of electrocution doesn't deter Dennis Johnson. The professor
of chemistry and senior chemist at Ames Laboratory routinely runs
electrical current through water solutions in his lab.
Results so far have been death to toxins.
By applying electricity to water and toxic chemicals, Johnson can render the chemicals harmless compounds. His research, based on the fundamental chemical process of electrolysis, could have a dramatic impact on the way toxic chemicals are handled.
Johnson wants to use the process to turn some nasty wastes -- especially the carcinogen benzene used to make herbicides, pesticides and a variety of industrial compounds -- into pure water. By passing a current through a solution that includes benzene, Johnson incinerates the chemical, leaving only water and carbon dioxide.
Johnson sees a day when his process could be used on scales both large and small, from seeping chemicals in a rail tanker car accident to daily lab wastes.
Of the lab waste potential, Johnson said, "Lab technicians can simply dump all of the waste in our device, close the lid, flip a switch and when they come into work the next day, it's clear water. End of problem."
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