Chloroaromatic formation in incineration processes

The high-temperature reactions of chlorinated hydrocarbons are reviewed wit h a primary focus on the gas-phase molecular growth chemistry and elementar y reaction mechanisms leading to the formation of chlorinated benzenes and chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Recent heterogeneous mechanis tic studies of the chlorination and condensation of aliphatic hydrocarbons at lower temperatures are also summarized. Copper(II) Valent species play a n important role as catalyst and reagent. The main thermal pathways for chl orinated dibenzodioxins and furans have been deduced by these laboratory ex periments, which try to model the complex reality of the post-incineration zone of municipal and hazardous waste incinerators. (C) 2001 EIsevier Scien ce B.V. AU rights reserved.