RATE OF DIBENZYL ETHER DECOMPOSITION IN SUPERCRITICAL WATER

Dibenzyl ether was decomposed in a batch bomb-type reactor both in sup ercritical water at 663-688 K and water density 387 kg m(-3) and in li quid water at 553-583 K and saturated vapour pressure. The reaction pa thways were assumed to consist of pyrolysis, hydrolysis and decomposit ion of the major products, and their rates were determined. The pyroly sis rates are substantially consistent with published data for various atmospheres. The activation energies of the pyrolysis and hydrolysis pathways are 120 and 112 kJ mol(-1) respectively. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd.