What is the final process in cyanide destruction?

The final process in cyanide destruction is oxidation by chlorination. This process involves treating cyanide-containing solutions with chlorine to convert cyanide into less toxic species. Chlorination leads to the formation of compounds such as cyanate and thiocyanate, which are less harmful than cyanide. This method is widely used in industrial applications because it is effective at breaking down cyanide compounds fully and safely, ensuring that the resulting substances are less hazardous to the environment and public health.

Oxidation by chlorination is preferred due to its efficacy in completely destroying the cyanide to non-toxic forms and its ability to operate under a range of conditions, making it suitable for various treatment scenarios. Other methods for dealing with cyanide may involve different chemical reactions or processes, but none culminate in the thorough destruction of cyanide as chlorination does.