Zero-valent iron-promoted dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Conference · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:126421

Chuang, Fei-Wen; Larson, R A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)

Zero-valent iron promoted the dechlorination of PCBs (Aroclors 1221 and 1254) at elevated temperatures in an oxygen-limited environment. At temperatures higher than 300{degrees}C, dechlorination of Aroclor 1221 began to occur; at 400{degrees}C, the major reaction product, biphenyl, was observed in highest yield. (At this temperature most of the PCBs were dechlorinated to biphenyl within 10 min.) At temperatures of 500{degrees}C or higher, dechlorination and other reactions of PCBs took place. At 600{degrees}C, almost all PCBs were destroyed by reactions other than hydrogenolytic dechlorination. Similar reactions were observed with the more highly chlorinated Aroclor 1254. Water or other impurities associated with the iron surface may donate protons or hydrogen atoms to the PCBs and take part in other reactions.

• OSTI ID: 126421
• Report Number(s): CONF-950402--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECHLORINATION
GROUND WATER
IRON
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
REMEDIAL ACTION
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE