Grantee Research Project Results
Catalytic Adsorbents for the Abatement of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
EPA Contract Number: 68D10055Title: Catalytic Adsorbents for the Abatement of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Investigators: Becker, E. Robert
Small Business: Aircor Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1991 through March 1, 1992
Project Amount: $50,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1991) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
A novel emission control process for chlorinated hydro- carbons produces no toxic or corrosive secondary gases. Catalytic adsorbent materials will be developed to destroy low concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbon in gaseous effluents without the release of hydrochloric acid and chlo- rine gas. Instead the adsorbent will fix the chlorine atoms as harmless nonvolatile chloride salt at temperatures well below conventional catalytic incineration. Low temperature operation and nontoxic secondary waste will make this an attractive economical abatement process for chlorinated hydrocarbons.Chlorinated organics are among the most difficult wastes to destroy, and they constitute a large portion of the VOCs associated with ozone nonabatement. When they are oxi - dized, hydrochloric acid (HCI) is formed, which retards the catalytic activity of metal catalysts, and it undergoes further oxidation to form chlorine gas (Cl,). The HCI also attacks incineration equipment. Chlorine and acid resistant cata- lysts currently used operate at high temperatures and re- quire large amounts of fuel.
The catalytic adsorbent will be produced by forming an active metal oxide in intimate contact with an active lime- stone surface. The limestone will act as a dispersing me- dium for the catalyst. Any HCI formed on the catalyst will immediately react with the calcium carbonate (limestone) to regenerate the metal oxides. This stops the HCI from oxidizing to chlorine and results in no free HCI. This is the important novel feature of the process which distinguishes it from conventional catalytic oxidation. The effluent gas from the process contains only water and carbon dioxide.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Sustainable Industry/Business, air toxics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Chemistry, HAPS, Technology for Sustainable Environment, New/Innovative technologies, tropospheric ozone, Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, chlorinated organic wastes, air pollutants, control, adsorbents, catalytic oxidation, Chlorine, emission control technologies, metal oxide, clean technologies, Hydrochloric acid, stratospheric ozone, ozone depletion, catalytic oxidative adsorption, novel catalyst systems, clean technology, air pollution control, ozone, chlorinated hydrocarbons, air pollution, catalysts, emission controls, ozone depleting chemicals, emissions control, treatment, chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs), chlorinated organics, innovative technology, metal oxides, catalytic combustion, innovative technologiesProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.