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.