AQUEOUS-PHASE HETEROGENEOUS CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE

Aqueous phase heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of dissolved organic c ompounds has been demonstrated as a potential means for the remediatio n of contaminated ground waters, industrial effluents, and other waste water streams under comparatively mild conditions of temperature and p ressure. Dissolved molecular oxygen is used as oxidant over a platinum -ruthenium catalyst on a high surface area carbon support at temperatu res to 130 degrees C and pressures to 6 atm. Studies were conducted us ing packed catalyst beds in tubular continuous plug flow microreactors . Reaction rate constants for the oxidation of trichloroethylene were determined using a pseudo first-order plug flow kinetic model over the temperature range between 90-120 degrees C. Reactor operating conditi ons required for deep oxidation of aqueous trichloroethylene at 90 deg rees C are reported.