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Hydrothermal processing of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a titanium reactor

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es960041o· OSTI ID:414975
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

Experiments are reported on the oxidative hydrothermal destruction of chlorinated organics in a corrosion-resistant titanium reactor. Oxidation reaction conditions were 250-500 {degree}C near 650 bar and reaction times of 30-100 s in a continuous-flow reactor. Trichloroacetic acid, trichloroethylene, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane behaved similarly. The organic concentration was approximately 1.5 wt%; hydrogen peroxide was the oxidizer; sodium bicarbonate was added to achieve neutral pH. Hydrolysis occurs at low temperature, producing chloride ion and secondary organics. Carbon dioxide is the sole carbon product at 500 {degree}C. Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite were also found to be effective oxidizers. Corrosion of the titanium was found to be slight (<0.038 mm/yr). The reaction mixture is likely not a single phase at these conditions. The destruction efficiency for trichloroethylene was estimated as 99.96% at 450 {degree}C and 60 s, with <0.02% conversion to volatile chlorinated organic byproducts. 33 refs., 9 figs., 6 tabs.

OSTI ID:
414975
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 30; ISSN 0013-936X; ISSN ESTHAG
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English