A laboratory apparatus, identified as the Thermal Decomposition Unit-Gas Chromatograph (TDU-GC) system, has been used to investigate the impact of key factors of the post-flame zone in the combustion process upon the effluent decomposition products. The results from thermal treatment of various organic compounds showed that: (1) Very good reproducibility under similar test conditions was obtained for effluent composition/concentration from initial thermal treatment tests, of a solid, pentachloronitrobenzene, and a volatile organic, chloroform. (2) Thermal decomposition profiles of individual organic compounds introduced as the feed material to the system provided DE (Destruction Efficiency) values for each compound. (3) Products of Incomplete Combustion (PICs) were generated, sometimes in major quantity, that accounted for a large portion of the elemental composition of the feed material. (4) Test series concentrating on the thermal treatment of chloroform showed major differences in PIC generation as a result of different atmospheres (rich oxygen and reduced oxygen). It appeared that several hundred degrees (C) higher temperature would be needed to attain the same degree of destruction of the more refractory PICs in the reduced oxygen atmosphere as was shown in the rich oxygen case.

"December 1986." Microfiche.