A comprehensive kinetic model for mechanochemical destruction of persistent organic pollutants

In the last 20 years, mechanochemical technology has shown a remarkable potential to destroy halogenated pollutants in safe manner. Being a solvent-free treatment that operates at environmental conditions, it is a good candidate to be a non-thermal alternative for disposal of persistent organic pollutants stockpiles. However, there are many aspects that need further developments. One of them is the assessment of reaction kinetic. In the present work, a kinetic model that is commonly utilized to describe mechanochemical transformations is adapted and applied for the first time to destruction of organic molecules. In particular, it was modified to include all fundamental parameters related to the mechanochemical degradation of halogenated persistent organic pollutants. Validation with literature and experimental data proves the soundness of the proposed model and confirms that solid reagents activation is a necessary step to achieve pollutants destruction. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.