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.