2Centro de Química del Instituto de Ciencias,

The electrochemical oxidation of paper mill wastewater was studied using a dimensionally stable anode of composition Ti/RuPb(40%)Ox. The oxidation process was analyzed as a function of electrolysis time and with respect to the cell potential difference, electrolyte (NaCl) concentration, and pH of the sample. The pu-rification of the effluent was evaluated through measurements of the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, and total polyphenols, and using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the presence of NaCl is a determining factor in the purification process. Electrolysis of wastewater containing 5 g/L NaCl at a cell potential difference of 6 V for 120 min, removed 99 % of COD and the percent removal values of color and polyphenols were 95 % after 15 min of electrolysis. The UV-Vis spectrum showed evidence of the formation of hypochlorite ions (ClO-) during the electrolysis process, indicating that the electrochemical oxidation proceeds via an indirect mechanism with the participation of hypochlorite ions