Supercritical water oxidation of 2-chlorophenol effected by Li+ and CuO/zeolites

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0045-6535(99)00040-5

Catalytic oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2CP) in supercritical water was investigated. Experimentally, conversion of 2CP in supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) process is effectively enhanced in the presence of Li⁺ that also reduces the formation of higher chlorinated phenols and PAHs. The global reaction rate of SCWO of 2CP in the presence of Li⁺ is expressed as: 92.5 exp (-10.5/RT)[2CP]^0.95[O₂]^0.56[H₂O]^0.45. The undesired by-products in the SCWO of 2CP are also extensively reduced in the channels of zeolite catalysts. By EXAFS spectroscopy, Cu-O and Cu-Cu are identified as the main oxidation active species in the zeolite channels. Cl-bonded CuO species in zeolite Y are not observed.