Microwave-hydrothermal decomposition of chlorinated organic compounds

The application of microwave-hydrothermal (M-H) heating has been evaluated in the decomposition of chlorinated organic compounds such as dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and pentachlorophenol. This study also focused on the comparison of M-H with conventional-hydrothermal (C-H) treatment on the decomposition of the chlorinated organic compounds. Within 5 min, more than 98% of dichloroethane was decomposed at 180 psi (approximately 190 degrees C) in 2.5 M NaOH solution by M-H treatment. The decomposition rates of the chlorinated compounds were accelerated by four to six times by M-H treatment compared to C-H treatment. No significant difference in reaction products between M-H and C-H treatment was observed, based on the analysis by gas chromatography. This study demonstrates that the application of M-H treatment leads to greatly accelerated kinetics in the decomposition of chlorinated compounds when compared to C-H treatment. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.