CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF DICHLOROMETHANE, CHLOROFORM, AND THEIR BINARY-MIXTURES OVER A PLATINUM ALUMINA CATALYST

The complete catalytic oxidation of dichloromethane, chloroform, and t heir binary mixtures was examined over a 3% Pt/kappa-delta Al2O3 catal yst at temperatures between 300 and 400 degrees C using a fixed bed ca talytic reactor. The oxidation of chloroform and dichloromethane as pu re compounds was nonlinear in the concentration of chloromethane and z eroth order in the concentration of oxygen. HCl, formed during the oxi dation of each chloromethane, decreased the reaction rate. Kinetic rat e expressions were developed to describe the oxidation of dichlorometh ane and chloroform as pure compounds. These expressions were derived b y assuming that the reaction occurred via adsorption and decomposition of the chloromethane onto an oxygen covered platinum surface, with th e reaction being inhibited by the presence of HCl. From the results of the pure compound studies, reaction rate expressions were developed t o describe the oxidation of dichloromethane/chloroform mixtures. The r esulting reaction rate expressions accurately predicted the catalyst's performance during the oxidation of dichloromethane/chloroform mixtur es over a wide range of conditions.