An overview of the current understanding of corrosion in SCWO systems for the destruction of hazardous waste products

There is a need to destroy both military and civilian hazardous waste and a n urgency, mandated by public concern over traditional waste handling metho dologies, to identify safe and efficient alternative technologies. One very effective process for the destruction of such waste is supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). By capitalizing on the properties of water above its cri tical point (374 degreesC and 221 arm for pure water), this technology prov ides rapid and complete oxidation with high destruction efficiencies at typ ical operating temperatures. Nevertheless, corrosion of the materials of fa brication is a serious concern and the practicality of SCWO may be limited by the ability to control corrosion. This paper reviews the literature on t he degradation characteristics of a number of candidate materials of fabric ation, including iron, nickel, and titanium-base alloys, ceramics, and nobl e metals. In addition, a number of potential methodologies for reducing cor rosion damage in SCWO systems have been reviewed.