Noble metal-based catalysts for total oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons

Catalytic total oxidation of selected chlorinated hydrocarbons utilizing se veral noble metal (Pt, Pd, Ru)-based catalysts was studied. Chlorinated hyd rocarbons used were trichloroethylene. dichloromethane, and chlorobenzene, alone or mixed with other hydrocarbons, such as toluene. Catalysts tested w ere both commercially available, manufactured by Degussa AG. Sud-Chemie AG, Kataleuna GmbH, Chimet, Johnson Matthey, Prototech Co,, etc., and new ones developed by Universities of Leiden in The Netherlands, Budapest in Hungar y, and Wroclaw in Poland, Both forms of catalyst, sphere (particulate) and monolith, were used, Selection of the best catalyst(s) was made based on it s activity, selectivity, and life. Apparent energies of activation for the reactions on these catalysts, using an empirical first-order reaction rate, are also given.