Self-propagating reactions for environmental protection: Reactor engineering aspects

The application of self-propagating reactions for environmental protection is addressed in this work with particular emphasis on certain reactor engin eering aspects. Possible reactor configurations are analyzed in view of lar ge-scale applicability of SHS technology for residue recycling and safe was te disposal. A two-dimensional batch SHS reactor model in which heat transf er phenomena are described in detail is presented. The model results are il lustrated by considering the treatment of zinc hydrometallurgical wastes as a reference system. The model not only estimates the total cycle time of a potential batch operation but also analyzes the time-space temperature lev els of the reactor to guarantee operational safety. Some economical aspects are also addressed by taking advantage of information from SHS processes f or materials synthesis.