Reaction Mechanism of the Oxidative Decomposition of Organochlorine Compounds By Fenton-like Reaction in Subcritical Water

We have developed new technique to treat polluted water containing recalcitrant organochlorine compounds by combination of hydrothermal oxidation and Fenton-like reaction using Cu₂O as a catalyst. In this study, the treatment of model polluted water containing 4-chlorophenol (CP) was conducted using the slurry flow reactor system and the reaction mechanism of oxidative decomposition of CP was investigated. The mixed suspension containing CP, Cu₂O and H₂O₂ was reacted with pressure, temperature and flow rate controlled at 10 MPa, 133~200°C and 1.0~16.0 ml/min, respectively. It was found that the enhancement of CP decomposition by Cu₂O catalyst was highest at 166°C. According to the calculation of the rate of H₂O₂ conversion, it was found that the rate of Fenton-like reaction was almost independent of the reaction temperature and the thermal decomposition of H₂O₂ became dominant at higher temperatures.